It is a historic day for East African football as DR Congo officially qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating Jamaica 1-0 in the intercontinental play-off match.
Former Yanga striker Fiston Mayele, who currently plays for Egypt’s Pyramids FC, was part of the DR Congo squad that secured qualification for the second time after a 52-year wait.
With this victory, DR Congo completes Africa’s list of 10 nations participating in the tournament, which will, for the first time, feature a total of 48 teams worldwide.
This is a proud moment for Mayele, who has never forgotten to acknowledge Yanga SC—the club that laid the foundation for his success—despite achieving international acclaim.
Yanga fans also have reason to celebrate, and they will be thrilled if they see Mayele representing his national team in the United States, proudly waving the DR Congo flag.
His journey from the Tanzanian league to Egypt and now to the world stage is an inspiring story of perseverance, achievement, and motivation for many young African footballers.
