Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterSebastien Desabre's DR Congo are facing the Three Lions in the 2026 World Cup, during the tournament's Round of 32.Aged 49, Desabre has been manager of the national side since 2022, and took DR Congo to its first World Cup since 1974.This is only the second tournament in the nation's history, so, who is the man in the dugout, and what is his story?Play our FREE match predictor below and win �1kWho is Sebastien Desabre, DR Congo's manager?En-route to facing England, the Congolese first frustrated Portugal, with their World Cup opener ending in a 1-1 draw.After a 1-0 loss to Colombia, Desabre's men secured Round of 32 football with a 3-1 victory against Uzbekistan. You may like DR Congo World Cup 2026 squad: Sebastian Desabre's final selection Who is Adham Makhadmeh? The referee in charge of England vs DR Congo England vs DR Congo prediction: Can Three Lions overcome first knockout hurdle to set up Mexico clash? Desabre is a Frenchman, but his experience across the African continent in a managerial capacity is vast.The 49-year-old has previously managed at club level in Egypt, Morocco, and was boss for the Ugandan national team.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.After just one year at the helm for Uganda, his side became one of five nominated for CAF's National Team of the Year award, after qualifying for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.At that tournament, they finished second in their group behind Egypt, but lost in their opening knock-out game against eventual finalists Senegal.Desabre left the national team by mutual consent shortly after, then became manager for DR Congo three years later in 2022. What to read next Who is DR Congo human statue 'Lumumba Vea'? England v DR Congo live: Kick-off time, match predictions and early team news How to watch England vs DR Congo for FREE The nation had failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and Desabre's aim was to take DR Congo to North America in 2026.The 49-year-old achieved this, with notable victories against Nigeria and Cameroon during the qualifying phase.World Cup football was confirmed with a win against Jamaica in the inter-confederation play-offs, which went to 120 minutes and culminated in a 100th-minute DR Congo goal to win 1-0.In 2023, Desabre also took the nation to the AFCON semi-finals, losing to eventual champions Ivory Coast.His side beat previous tournament finalists Egypt in the Round of 16, Guinea in the quarters, and secured a draw against Morocco in the group stage.TOPICSCongo DRKedar BayleySocial Links NavigationFreelance WriterKedar Bayley is a trained journalist specialising in culture reporting. As a fan of Liverpool FC,he writes on the Reds often. Knowledgable about all things sports, cinema and television,you can find his words in Screen International, FourFourTwo, Manchester Evening News and more.
