DR Congo have won just one of their last 15 meetings with Cameroon, losing nine of them. Their last competitive encounters came in 2015 AFCON qualifying with the Indomitable Lions winning both 2-0 in Lubumbashi and then 1-0 in Yaoundé.
Cameroon vs DR Congo preview
As the countdown to the World Cup intensifies, nine African nations have booked their place in North America next summer, while four more are still in the running. Elsewhere on Thursday, Nigeria and Gabon clash in the other semi-final, with the winners of Sunday's final securing their place in March's inter-confederation play-offs to take place in Mexico. Thus, games don't come much bigger than this, so only one can keep their World Cup dream alive at Al Barid Stadium, while the other will crash out.
Cameroon have appeared at more World Cups than any other African nation, debuting at Spain '82, qualifying on eight occasions to date. The Indomitable Lions were therefore favourites to top Group D, but were forced to settle for second place, finishing four points below surprise package Cape Verde, thanks largely to a decisive 1-0 defeat in Praia back in September.
That is the only loss Marc Brys has suffered as Cameroon manager, but they did draw four of their ten games, ignominiously dropping points against Libya, Angola twice and Eswatini, their sole away win coming in Mauritius last month. That is going to have to change, with this play-off tournament being staged in Rabāṭ, but they are surely slight favourites to come through this tie on Thursday.
DR Congo, in stark contrast, have only ever featured at one World Cup, namely Germany '74 when they were known as Zaire. At the time, the team were under enormous pressure to perform from President Mobutu Sese Seko, but lost all three matches, conceding 14 goals and scoring zero. As DR Congo, the closest they've come to a World Cup appearance was actually three years ago, when they were ousted by Morocco in the play-offs, thereby denied a spot in Qatar.
This time round, the Leopards accumulated 22 points from their ten Group B fixtures, but could only finish in second spot behind Senegal, beaten 3-2 when the top two met in Kinshasa in September. Nevertheless, Sébastien Desabre's side will come into these play-offs full of confidence and rightly so, given that they reached the semi-finals at last year's AFCON, so may now feel as though this is their time. As already mentioned, international matches do not come much bigger than this do or die clash at Al Barid Stadium, so who will be celebrating victory on Thursday night?
Cameroon vs DR Congo head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 21.
- Cameroon Wins: 10. Draws: 6. DR Congo Wins: 5.
Cameroon team news
Marc Brys' side is pretty much at full strength, with André Onana set be donning the gloves.
André-Frank Zambo Anguissa alongside Carlos Baleba is a midfield pairing comparable with any other team on the planet, but the attack is where this team is exciting.
Karl Etta Eyong has already scored six La Liga goals for Levante this season, while Bryan Mbeumo bagged his sixth for Manchester United against Tottenham on Saturday.
Cameroon predicted lineup vs DR Congo: (4-3-3): Onana; Tchatchoua, Castelletto, Ngadeu-Ngadjui, Nouhou; André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Baleba, Avom; Mbeumo, Etta Eyong, Aboubakar.
Cameroon player to watch vs DR Congo
Despite now plying his trade in Azerbaijan for Neftçi Bakı, Vincent Aboubakar remains his country's captain and talisman. He is 11 adrift Samuel Eto'o all-time record of 56 for the Indomitable Lions, netting four times in qualifying so far, so can he fire Cameroon into the final?
DR Congo team news
Sébastien Desabre is without forward Meschak Elia due to yellow card accumulation, while Yoane Wissa remains sidelined following a knee injury suffered against Senegal in September. Winger Grady Diangana has also withdrawn from the squad due to injury.
In terms of who will feature, the back four all have Premier League expirence. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe have both debuted for DR Congo in the last 12 months or so, while Arthur Masuaku and Chancel Mbemba are vastly more experienced representing the Leopards, the latter set to earn his 99th cap, which is a national record.
Elsewhere, midfielder Noah Sadiki has been ultra-impressive for Sunderland this season, while Celtic's Michel-Ange Balikwisha could debut, having switched his allegiance from Belgium.
DR Congo predicted lineup vs Cameroon: (4-3-3): Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaka; Sadiki, Moutoussamy, Kayembe; Bongonda, Balikwisha, Bakambu.
DR Congo player to watch vs Cameroon
In the battle of the iconic centre-forwards, Cédric Bakambu is DR Congo's main man for goals. The 34 year old has netted 20 times for his country, just two behind Dieumerci Mbokani's all-time record. Bakambu has bagged four in their last four World Cup qualifiers, making him their most likely hero here too.
Cameroon vs DR Congo prediction
This semi-final between two excellent teams in Rabāṭ could go either-way, meaning it'll certainly be close, but we give Cameroon the slight edge at Al Barid Stadium: Cameroon 2-1 DR Congo.
Cameroon vs DR Congo FAQs - World Cup qualifier
How to watch Cameroon vs DR Congo in World Cup qualification on TV channel?
Cameroon vs DR Congo in World Cup qualification will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: FIFA+
- USA: ESPN Select & fuboTV
How to watch Cameroon vs DR Congo in World Cup qualification on live streaming?
Cameroon vs DR Congo in World Cup qualification will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: FIFA+
- USA: ESPN Select & fuboTV
What is the date and kick-off time for Cameroon vs DR Congo in World Cup qualification?
Cameroon vs DR Congo takes place on Thursday 13 November 2025, with kick off at 19:00 (GMT), 14:00 (ET) & 11:00 (PT).