The Congo national football team (French: Équipe du Congo de football) represents the Republic of the Congo in men's association football and is governed by the Congolese Football Federation. They have never qualified for the World Cup, but did win the Africa Cup of Nations in 1972. They also won the All-Africa Games football tournament in 1965. The team is also a member of both FIFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
Contents
History
The Congo national football team made its first ever appearance in February 1960 in a friendly against the Ivory Coast which they lost 4–2. On 13 April, they defeated Reunion 4–1 in their first game to advance to the quarter-finals. In their quarter-final on 15 April, they defeated the Ivory Coast 3–2. On 17 April, they lost 5–4 to Cameroon and were beaten 8–1 by the host Madagascar in the third-place play-off on 19 April.
In April 1963 they entered another L'Amitié competition, this time in Senegal, and were drawn in a group with Tunisia, the Ivory Coast, Democratic Republic of Congo and Mauritania. They lost their opener 2–0 to Tunisia on 13 April but beat the Ivory Coast 3–2 the next day. On 15 April they beat their neighbour Congo Kinshasa 2–1, and then Mauritania 11–0 two days later, but did not advance to the next round.
In July 1965 the Congo held the 1965 All-Africa Games and were drawn in a group with Mali, Uganda and Togo. They drew 1–1 with Mali on 18 July and beat Uganda 2–1 the next day. On 21 July they drew 1–1 against Togo but advanced through to the semi-finals, where they beat the Ivory Coast 1–0 on 23 July. On 25 July the Congo drew 0–0 versus Mali in the final, but won the tournament by having won ten corners in the final compared to Mali's one.
On 11 January 1967 the Congo played their first non-African opposition, defeating Romania 1–0 in a home friendly. On 19 February 1967 the Congo travelled to Tunisia for their first ever African Cup of Nations qualifier, drawing 1–1. On 2 August 1967 they hosted a qualifier against Cameroon, and defeated them 2–1 to top their qualifying group and advance to their first finals.
The finals were held in Ethiopia in January 1968 and the Congo were drawn in a group with their neighbour Zaire, Senegal and Ghana. They lost the opener to Zaire 3–0 on 12 January and two days later lost 2–1 to Senegal. On 16 January the Congo were defeated 3–1 by Ghana and were knocked out.
The Congo hosted a friendly against Romania for the second successive year on 16 June 1968 and won 4–2. On 30 July 1968 they played their first ever South American opposition, losing a home friendly 2–0 to Brazil.
Results and fixtures
The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.
Win
Draw
Loss
Fixture
Coaching staff
Players
Current squad
The following players were called-up for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches against Namibia and Cameroon on 24 and 29 September 2026; respectively.
Caps and goals are correct as of 13 October 2025, after the match against Morocco
Recent call-ups
The following players were called up for Congo in the last 12 months.
Records
As of 14 October 2025
Players in bold are still active with Congo.
Competition records
Honours
Continental
CAF African Cup of Nations
Champions (1): 1972
African Games1
Gold medal (1): 1965
Regional
CEMAC Cup
Champions (2): 2007, 2010
Runners-up (2): 2008, 2014
Third place (2): 2003, 2013
UDEAC Championship
Champions (1): 1990
Runners-up (2): 1984, 1985
Third place (2): 1986, 1988
Central African Games
Silver medal (2): 1976, 1981
Bronze medal (1): 1987
Summary
Notes
Competition organized by ANOCA, officially not recognized by FIFA.