Why does DR Congo sometimes appear as Congo, Congo DR, Zaire or DRC?

The African nation returns to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, but its history includes multiple name changes on and off the field.

Zaire, that World Cup free kick and the sad story behind one of the World Cup’s strangest moments

There is a deeper, darker background to this story than is evident from simply watching Mwepu Ilunga kick the ball away at a free kick

Bizarre story of DR Congo’s last World Cup under different name, from pay row, ‘threats’ and famous free-kick debacle

THE Democratic Republic of Congo will play their first World Cup match in 52 YEARS. But the last time the country was at the tournament, it had an entirely different name. Former Manchester United
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55 days to the World Cup: DR Congo returns to the tournament 52 years after infamous free kick

The Democratic Republic of Congo is back in the World Cup for the first time since 1974, breaking a 52-year drought. But the last time that DR Congo played, back when the country competed as Zaire, a defender’s surprising time-wasting method quickly went ...

World Cup 2026: Why DR Congo superfan Michel Mboladinga dresses as a Lumumba statue for 90 minutes

He rose to prominence during the most recent Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) when DR Congo did really well, drawing in the second group match against Senegal and only losing 1-0 to Algeria in the round of 16 of the tournament.