On the eve of a historic World Cup: Prediction for Denmark vs DR Congo - 03.06.2026
One of the upcoming international friendlies will take place on Wednesday at the Maurice Dufrasne Stadium in Liège, where DR Congo will face Denmark. Here’s my take on this intriguing clash: the African side enters the game riding the wave of a historic World Cup qualification, while the Danes are looking to turn the page after a painful failure in qualifying.
Match preview
Denmark is going through a tough period: one of Europe’s most prominent teams will miss the expanded World Cup for the first time since 2014, having failed to reach the finals. Brian Riemer’s squad lost 2-4 to Scotland in the decisive group game, crushed North Macedonia 4-0 in the playoff semi-final, but then fell to the Czech Republic on penalties after a 2-2 draw over 120 minutes in the final.
Riemer has received public backing from the federation, but the pressure at home is mounting: the Danes are set for a painful squad rebuild. Kasper Schmeichel, Jannik Vestergaard, and Christian Nørgaard have retired, several regulars were left out, but there’s a chance for Will Osula to make his debut after a bright spell at Newcastle, while Christian Eriksen is closing in on his 150th cap.
DR Congo is returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when they still played as Zaire, and Sébastien Desabre’s current squad looks anything but a lucky passenger. After finishing second in their African qualifying group, the “Leopards” overcame Cameroon and Nigeria in the playoffs, then edged Jamaica 1-0 thanks to an extra-time goal from Axel Tuanzebe.
Over the past few months, DR Congo has impressed not just with results, but with balance: only one defeat in ten matches, eight wins, and seven clean sheets. Their only real setback came at the Africa Cup of Nations, where they lost to Algeria 0-1 in extra time after conceding in the 119th minute, but even that match underlined their defensive maturity.
Key facts about the match
- DR Congo have won eight of their last ten matches across all competitions and kept a clean sheet seven times.
- Denmark ended their World Cup qualifying campaign with a 2-4 defeat to Scotland, then lost to the Czech Republic on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the playoff final.
- This will be Denmark’s first ever meeting with DR Congo, and their first match against an African side since a goalless draw with Tunisia at the 2022 World Cup.
Prediction
DR Congo looks like a team with a clear structure and strong emotional momentum: qualifying for the World Cup has boosted their confidence, and their run of clean sheets shows that their success is built on more than just spirit. Even having to move their training camp to Belgium due to the Ebola outbreak shouldn’t throw them off rhythm, as the match will be played in Liège, where the “Leopards” are already adapting.
Denmark still has a higher caliber of players, but right now this is a side in transition. The loss of several key figures, questions over Riemer’s system, and the psychological scars from their playoff failure make the Danes a less reliable favorite than their FIFA ranking might suggest. I expect a tight game with few chances. DR Congo is capable of putting up a fight and avoiding defeat.
