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Sports July 2, 2026

DRC National Team Mourns: Coach's Father Passes Away Hours After World Cup Match Against England

DRC National Team Mourns: Coach's Father Passes Away Hours After World Cup Match Against England

The Democratic Republic of Congo made its first appearance in the World Cup since 1974, when it was known as Zaire. The team's participation in the tournament was marked by a mix of pride and tragedy. Despite being eliminated, the team had held Portugal to a draw in their opening match and had also beaten Uzbekistan.

The team's coach, Desabre, had every reason to be proud of his team's performance, having led England for over an hour in one of their matches. In a press conference, Desabre spoke about the importance of leaving a good image behind when representing the national team. He expressed pride in his team's achievement, stating that they had scored five goals in the tournament and played well against higher-ranked teams.

However, the press conference took a somber turn when a media officer announced that Desabre's father had passed away. The news was met with shock and sadness, and Desabre's expression immediately changed from one of pride to one of grief. He responded with a simple "thank you" before getting up and leaving the conference.

England v Congo DR: Round Of 32 - FIFA World Cup 2026

The news of Desabre's father's passing was a tragic reminder of the personal sacrifices that coaches and players often make for the sake of their teams. Despite the sadness, Desabre's team had shown remarkable spirit and determination throughout the tournament, and their performance would be remembered as a proud moment in the country's football history.

Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Group K - DR Congo v Uzbekistan - Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. - June 27, 2026 DR Congo's Yoane Wissa celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

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