Timothy Fayulu to travel to the 2026 World Cup with DR Congo

Noah goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu has been included in DR Congo’s final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. National team head coach Sebastien Desabre has named a 26-man squad that will represent the country at the tournament.

The news is also historic for Armenian football: Fayulu will become the first active player from the Armenian championship to go to a FIFA World Cup. The Noah goalkeeper was included among DR Congo’s goalkeepers alongside Matthieu Epolo of Standard Liege and Lionel Mpasi of Le Havre.

DR Congo are returning to the World Cup after more than half a century away from the tournament. The team last played at the Mundial in 1974 in West Germany. Back then, the Congolese side lost all three group-stage matches, including a 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia.

At the 2026 World Cup, DR Congo will compete in Group K, where they will face Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan. Head coach Sebastien Desabre noted that the team has been built over the past few years and is ready to fight for a place in the knockout stage.

“The squad has practically picked itself because we have been together for around four years. The World Cup is not a place for experiments or development. We want to show our best level, and our goal is to get through the first stage. I think that is absolutely within our reach,” Desabre said.

Fayulu’s participation at the 2026 World Cup could bring Noah not only reputational value but also financial benefits. Under FIFA’s club benefits programme, clubs receive around $12,500 for each day a player spends with his national team at the World Cup, including the preparation period. If the player remains with the squad at least through the group stage, the amount could reach approximately $220,000–$240,000.

DR Congo full squad for the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers:
Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege, Belgium), Timothy Fayulu (Noah, Armenia), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre, France).

Defenders:
Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa, Greece), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian, Scotland), Gedeon Kalulu (Aris Limassol, Cyprus), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz, Poland), Joris Kayembe (Genk, Belgium), Arthur Masuaku (Lens, France), Chancel Mbemba (Lille, France), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley, England), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United, England).

Midfielders:
Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow, Russia), Brian Cipenga (Castellon, Spain), Elia Meshack (Alanyaspor, Turkey), Gael Kakuta (Larisa, Greece), Edo Kayembe (Watford, England), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier, France), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos, Greece), Ngalayel Mukau (Lille, France), Charles Pickel (Espanyol, Spain), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, England).

Forwards:
Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis, Spain), Simon Banza (Al Jazira, UAE), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids, Egypt), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United, England).