Written by Ziad Abdel Fattah:
The President of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Felix Antoine Chiskidi Chilombo, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, traveled to Houston, Texas, USA, to support his national team at the start of their journey in the 2026 World Cup.
The Congolese president is accompanied during the first visit by Mrs. Denise Nkiero, as they are scheduled to attend the highly anticipated match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and its Portuguese counterpart at the NRG Stadium, as part of the competitions of Group Thirteen (Group K) in the first round of the World Championship.
A large turnout from the Congolese community is expected.
The President’s participation in this major sporting event expresses his support for youth and national sports, and carries a symbolic message aimed at strengthening the spirit of unity and cohesion among the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially in light of the expected large presence of the Congolese community and fans supporting the national team in the United States.
The match is of particular importance to the Democratic Republic of Congo, as it represents a historic return of the national team to the World Cup finals after a long absence of more than five decades, since its only previous participation in the 1974 edition hosted by Germany.
The Congolese national team hopes to make a strong start to the tournament, benefiting from the great public support and official attention that reflects the event's place in the national consciousness, as an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of Congolese football on the world stage.
The return of the "Tigers" to the World Cup is one of the most prominent sporting milestones in the country's modern history, amid popular aspirations to achieve honorable results that enhance the African presence in the global tournament.
