Congo DR will welcome Mauritania to Stade des Martyns for their opening game of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers today. The hosts have not been in action since playing out a goalless draw against Angola in an international friendly in October.
Mauritania, meanwhile, fell to a 2-1 friendly defeat to Burkina Faso in their last game last month. Mohamed Konate and Issa Kabore scored in either half for the Stallions, while Pape Ba halved the deficit 20 minutes into the second half.
The Lions of Chinguetti will turn their focus to competitive action as they begin their quest to qualify for Canada/Mexico/USA. They have been grouped in Group B alongside Senegal, DR Congo, Togo, Sudan and South Sudan.
Congo DR and Mauritania will renew acquaintances eight months after squaring off in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. The two sides successfully booked their spot in Ivory Coast and will be looking to build on this to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
The home side are heavy favorites and comfortably won the home leg of their tie in the AFCON qualifiers.
Congo DR have a 100% record against Mauritania and will want to keep this run going by starting their campaign with victory. The Leopards are the second-highest ranked side in this group behind Senegal and a win here would give them a good standing.
Credit: sportskeeda.com
