There is significant tension within DR Congo’s national team camp ahead of their crucial World Cup playoff against Cameroon. Reports indicate that the unrest stems from the president’s promise to give each player one million dollars if the team secures a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The issue is that everyone connected to the squad wants a share—injured players, coaches, agents, and even officials from the Ministry of Sports.
Some national team players who weren’t invited for the November camp are furious about being left out, while the coaches are also upset that they haven’t been factored into the reward.
All of this has shifted the team’s attention away from preparing for the big clash with Cameroon on Thursday night.
As a reminder, DR Congo must beat Cameroon and then defeat the winner of the Nigeria vs. Gabon semifinal to earn a place in the intercontinental playoff in March.
Two World Cup tickets await the top two teams of that playoff in March 2026.
Nigeria players boycott training ahead crucial World Cup qualifiers playoff over unpaid bonuses
