Rabat – Cameroon and DR Congo will face each other in a semi-final match for the African 2026 World Cup playoff at Stade Al Barid in Rabat. The other semi-final opposes Nigeria and Gabon.
This is one of those make-or-break tournaments for African teams that finished runner-ups in their qualifying groups. The winner of this match will advance to the playoff final on November 16 for the big prize: a place in the inter-continental playoff for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
So for the Indomitable Lions and the Leopards, this game is basically all or nothing.
Match details
- Fixture: Cameroon vs DR Congo
- Competition: CAF World Cup Qualification Play-off
- Venue: Stade Al Barid, Rabat, Morocco
- Date: Thursday, 13 November 2025
- Kick-off: 20h00 local time
How & Where to watch
The match will be broadcast live on L’Équipe live foot, SuperSport, StarTimes, Sporty, beIN SPORTS, and the official CAF website.
Cameroon. DR Congo. Tonight! 🇨🇲🇨🇩
The African #WCQ Play-Offs Semi-Finals promise action. pic.twitter.com/3TOUZQrW7r
— CAF_Online (@CAF_Online) November 13, 2025
Cameroon team news
Coach Marc Brys will lead Cameroon, and his team’s experience in playing these close-out African knockout matches makes them look pretty solid for this high-stakes situation. All this despite recent injuries to some key players, leaving the attack and midfield in a mess.
- Injuries/absences: Eric Maxim Choupo‑Moting (knee sprain) is out. Andre‑Frank Zambo Anguissa (hamstring) is out. Andre Onana (ankle) is a doubt.
- Tactical tweaks: Brys will probably look to build on a solid defensive and midfield base to control the game and counter DR Congo’s threats that way. He’s going to have adjust the team’s plan of attack — probably by rotating some players.
Predicted lineup (4–3–3): Onana (if fit); Tchatchoua, Castelletto, Nouhou, Nagida, Avom, Baleba, Anguissa, Mbuemo, Eyong, Nkoudou
Cameroon’s got the potential to control the game and apply some pressure with a lot of possession, they’ve got a good record to back it up. But on the other hand, with key players out they will need to keep an eye out for some possible counter-attacks — that means being pretty careful when absorbing pressure.
DR Congo team news
DR Congo are feeling pretty good going into this tournament, having had some success on the road in the group stage. The fact that the Leopards haven’t been to the World Cup since 1974, is a pretty good incentive to get into the inter-continental playoffs. That might get them a little more reckless, searching for a win at all costs which could either spark some goals or make them more vulnerable.
- Injuries/absences: Yoane Wissa (injured)
- Tactical tweaks: Coach Sébastien Desabre is going to try and get DR Congo set up strong defensively while looking to catch Cameroon out on the break. Closing down some of these counterattacks could pay off.
Predicted lineup (4–3–3): Mpasi, Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Mukau, Moutoussamy, Kayembe, Masuaku, Elia, Essende, Bakambu
DR Congo might try to park the bus, defend deep, trying to bottle up Cameroon’s pressure and then hit them with some quick breaks afterwards.
Safe calls
- Cameroon to Win: the head-to-head record between the two teams is very close but Cameroon enters the matchup with greater historical World Cup success.
- Over 1.5 Goals: Likely one or two goals in a tight game.
- Both Teams to Score: No, Cameroon have strong defensive solidity.
- Score prediction: Cameroon 1–1 DR Congo
