After 52 years away, the Leopards are back at the World Cup — and the whole nation can watch for free on RTNC. The last time Congo DR (then Zaire) played in a World Cup was 1974 in West Germany. Canal+ Afrique carries all 104 matches. The opener vs Portugal kicks off at a perfect 18:00 WAT in Kinshasa.
Where to Watch: Free and Paid
- RTNC (Radio-Television Nationale Congolaise) — Free state broadcaster. All DR Congo matches live
- Canal+ Afrique — Paid. All 104 World Cup matches
When to Watch: Kickoff Times in DR Congo
Kinshasa is in the WAT timezone (UTC+1). Eastern Congo (Lubumbashi) is in CAT (UTC+2) — add one hour to the times below.
| US Kickoff (ET) | Kinshasa (WAT) | Lubumbashi (CAT) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 AM ET | 16:00 WAT | 17:00 CAT | Afternoon |
| 2:00 PM ET | 19:00 WAT | 20:00 CAT | Evening — great |
| 5:00 PM ET | 22:00 WAT | 23:00 CAT | Late night |
| 8:00 PM ET | 01:00 WAT (+1) | 02:00 CAT (+1) | Overnight |
Leopards Group K Schedule (WAT — Kinshasa):
| Match | Date / Local Time | City |
|---|---|---|
| DR Congo vs Portugal | June 17, 18:00 WAT | Houston |
| DR Congo vs Colombia | June 24, 03:00 WAT | Guadalajara |
| DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | June 28, 00:30 WAT | Atlanta |
Must-Watch Matches
- DR Congo vs Portugal — June 17, 18:00 WAT, Houston. The historic return. 52 years since the Leopards last graced a World Cup. The whole country will be watching — and it’s at a perfect evening time
- Final — July 19, MetLife Stadium (New York). 20:00 WAT
- Semifinals — July 14-15
- DR Congo vs Colombia — June 24, 03:00 WAT, Guadalajara. The toughest group opponent after Portugal, though the overnight kickoff is challenging
FAQ
When did DR Congo last play in a World Cup? 1974, as Zaire. The 2026 World Cup marks a 52-year wait — the longest gap between World Cup appearances for any team in this tournament.
Can I watch DR Congo’s matches free? Yes. RTNC (Radio-Television Nationale Congolaise) broadcasts all Leopards matches free-to-air.
What time do DR Congo matches kick off in Kinshasa? The first match (vs Portugal) is at 18:00 WAT — perfect evening viewing. The other two are overnight: 03:00 and 00:30 WAT.
Does Canal+ show all World Cup matches in DR Congo? Yes. Canal+ Afrique covers all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup.