Cameroon vs DR Congo: 5 Things You Need to Know Ahead of the World Cup Play-Off

Cameroon will look to take a crucial step towards the 2026 World Cup when they face DR Congo in a high-stakes play-off tie at the Al Barid Stadium in Rabat on Thursday.

Both teams missed out on automatic qualification and now face the pressure of a one-off match that could determine their path to the globe’s biggest sporting stage. 

Pulse Sports looks at five key things you need to know before kick-off.

The match will not be played in Yaoundé or Kinshasa, but rather on neutral soil in Morocco. The Al Barid Stadium in Rabat has been selected as the venue for this critical showdown, removing the distinct home advantage usually enjoyed by the Indomitable Lions. Playing in North Africa adds a different dimension to the game, with climate and pitch conditions likely to influence the tempo of the match.

PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News

Kick-off is scheduled for 10pm EAT on Thursday, November 13. For international viewers, particularly those in the United Kingdom, the match will be available to stream live via the Fifa+ service. This prime-time slot ensures that the eyes of the continent will be firmly fixed on these two giants as they vie for survival in the qualifiers.

The neutrality of the venue forces both teams to rely purely on tactical discipline rather than crowd support. While Cameroon fans usually turn their home grounds into fortresses, the Lions must generate their own intensity in Rabat. This setting arguably levels the playing field, giving DR Congo a fairer shot at upsetting the odds against their more decorated opponents.

Head coach Marc Brys is facing a significant headache regarding his team selection due to untimely injuries. The squad has been hit by two major blows, with veteran striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting and the influential midfielder Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa both ruled out of the match. Losing such experienced pillars of the team strips Cameroon of vital leadership in the attacking and middle thirds of the pitch.

Compounding the misery is the status of Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana. The shot-stopper is considered a major doubt after suffering an ankle injury, though he remains in the predicted lineup. If Onana is unable to start or is forced off, it could destabilize a defense that is already under immense pressure to perform.

These absences mean fringe players will need to step up immediately. The predicted XI suggests reliance on the likes of Mbeumo and Aboubakar to carry the attacking burden, while young talents like Baleba in midfield will need to mature quickly. The depth of the Cameroonian squad is about to be tested in the harshest possible environment.

While Cameroon subtracts stars, DR Congo is integrating a massive addition to their defense. Aaron Wan-Bissaka is expected to start, having recently switched his international allegiance from England in August. His Premier League experience and defensive solidity provide the Leopards with a world-class option at full-back, tasked with nullifying Cameroon's wing play.

In the attacking department, all eyes will be on Cedric Bakambu. The striker is currently just two goals shy of equalling Dieumerci Mbokani’s record as the nation’s all-time leading goalscorer. This personal milestone adds an extra layer of motivation for Bakambu, who will be desperate to score the goals that keep his nation's World Cup dreams alive.

However, it is not all good news for Sebastien Desabre’s side, as they continue to bemoan the absence of Yoane Wissa. Despite missing the Brentford forward, the Congolese attack remains dangerous with Bakambu leading the line. The integration of new defensive steel combined with veteran attacking presence makes them a balanced and dangerous underdog.

Both nations arrive at this stage after enduring frustration in the group phases. Cameroon missed out on automatic qualification after finishing runners-up to Cape Verde in Group D. The Indomitable Lions struggled for consistency, winning three of their last five games but suffering a critical 1-0 loss to the Blue Sharks and a 0-0 stalemate against Angola in their final group match.

DR Congo suffered a similar fate in Group B, where they were pipped to the top spot by Senegal. The race was agonizingly close, with the Leopards finishing just two points behind the Lions of Teranga. Their campaign was defined by a thrilling but costly 3-2 defeat to Senegal on September 9, a result that ultimately relegated them to this play-off path.

Despite the disappointment, DR Congo enters this match with slightly better recent momentum. Desabre’s men recorded back-to-back 1-0 victories against Togo and Sudan last month, proving they can grind out results. In contrast, Cameroon’s recent draw and loss suggest a team that is struggling to find its rhythm at the most critical moment.

History weighs heavily on this fixture, with Cameroon holding the record for the most World Cup appearances by an African nation. The eight-time participants view qualification as a birthright, and missing out would be viewed as a national catastrophe. They enter the match with the psychological edge of having won the last meeting between the sides, a 1-0 friendly victory in February 2020.

Conversely, DR Congo is fueled by a hunger that has lasted half a century. They are hoping to stun the favorites in pursuit of their first World Cup appearance since 1974, back when the nation competed as Zaire. For the Congolese players, this is an opportunity to write their names into the history books and end a generational drought.

However, the reward for winning this tie is simply another difficult hurdle. The winner will advance to face either Nigeria or Gabon, who are battling on the other side of the play-off bracket. This means that whoever triumphs in Rabat must immediately prepare for a showdown against another African superpower, making this path to the 2026 World Cup one of the most perilous routes imaginable.