FORMER England under-21 international Axel Tuanzebe struck in extra-time as the Democratic Republic of Congo defeated Jamaica 1-0 in Mexico to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Iraq also overcame Bolivia later to join the African nation in ending decades of World Cup qualifying failure.
Centre back Tuanzebe kneed the ball home in DR Congo’s inter-confederation playoff final against Jamaica to book a first World Cup place for the Congolese since they appeared at the 1974 tournament when the country was still known as Zaire.
Tuanzebe is Congolese-born but moved with his family to Britain as a five-year-old.
He joined Manchester United aged eight and was included in the first-team squad when only 17.
A member of England’s junior sides, he was released by Manchester United in 2023 and went to Ipswich Town in the Championship.
DR Congo, who will play in Group K at the finals with Colombia, Portugal and Uzbekistan, made overtures for him to play at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in early 2024 but he only switched allegiance at the start of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
With a population of almost 110 million DR Congo is one of the continent’s most populous countries, but the majority of its team is made up of players from an extensive diaspora across Europe, who coach Sebastien Desabre said had forged a tight group.
The late surge of foreign-born players and their eligibility formed the basis of Nigeria’s protest against DR Congo after the African play-offs final in Morocco, in which the latter defeated the former on penalties.
FIFA threw out Nigeria’s case and DR Congo have now ended a 52-year wait to return to the World Cup.
“I’m so happy for the Congolese people and these players. They have fought resiliently through these qualifiers,” the French-born coach said.
Iraq joined DR Congo to qualify for the World Cup by grabing the last available spot with a 2-1 victory over Bolivia in their inter-confederation playoff in the early hours of today, sealing their return to the finals after a 40-year absence.
Aymen Hussein steered home a second-half winner to see the Iraqis become the 48th and last team to qualify for the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the U.S.
Ali Al Hamadi handed Iraq a 10th-minute lead at the Monterrey Stadium but Bolivia were level at the break through Moises Paniagua.
Iraq will compete in Group I at the June 11 to July 19 World Cup along with France, Norway and Senegal.
Iraq, the ninth team from Asia to qualify, were quickly out of the blocks and Bolivia goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra made a fingertip save to push Amir Al Ammari’s curling free kick onto his crossbar.
But from the resultant corner, Al Hamadi, who plays for Luton Town in League One, got ahead of the Bolivia defence to head home the opener.
Bolivia slowly recovered from the shock of the early setback and by the break were deservedly level.
Their equaliser came when Ramiro Vaca’s forward pass, which looked initially to be a shot on goal, found Paniagua, who then had time to turn and slam home the ball from close range.
Iraq went ahead again in the 53rd minute as substitute Marko Farji’s cross found Hussein, who reacted quickest and got ahead of his marker to steer home.
Mohanad Ali had a chance to score a third for Iraq and finish off the game near full time but squandered the opportunity.
Bolivia forced several late corners as they desperately bid to take the game into extra time but Iraq finished the fresher of the two sides.
The Iraqis were seeded straight into the playoff decider while Bolivia first had to get past Suriname in Monterrey last Thursday.
Iraq’s only previous World Cup appearance was in Mexico in 1986 where they lost all three group games.
With agency reports
