President Félix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo has outlined a vision to use football as a tool for international influence, according to statements made on May 6, 2026, during a meeting with sports officials in Kinshasa. The initiative aims to revitalize the country's football infrastructure and promote Congolese talent globally.
Tshisekedi emphasized the need for modern stadiums, youth academies, and better management of the national team, the Leopards. He cited the success of other African nations in leveraging football for soft power, such as Senegal and Morocco. The government plans to allocate additional funding to the Ministry of Sports for these projects.
Details on specific investments or timelines were not provided, but the president called for a national strategy to be developed within six months. The announcement comes ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where DR Congo failed to qualify, highlighting the need for improvement.
