The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is on! Each day ahead of the tournament’s return to North America, Yahoo Sports will highlight an insight or moment that showcases just how grand the world’s biggest sporting spectacle has become — even beyond the expanded field of this year’s global event.
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 down in the tournament’s lore.
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After a 2-0 loss to Scotland and a stunning 9-0 loss to Yugoslavia, Zaire ended the group stage with a game against Brazil. The players had been told by Zaire president Mobutu Sese Seko that they should not return home if they lose by four or more goals — setting high stakes in a game Brazil was heavily favored to win.
With Brazil up 2-0 in the 78th minute, a foul just outside the box gave the Brazilians a very dangerous free kick. But before Brazil had a chance to get the kick, defender Joseph Mwepu Ilunga sprinted forward and kicked the ball away, promptly earning a yellow card from the referee for time-wasting.
Mwepu later clarified that he was very aware of the rules, and that he was expecting to be cautioned or even sent off as a result of the kick.
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But the method worked: Zaire was able to hold Brazil to just one more goal for the rest of the game. Brazil took home the 3-0 win, and Zaire was able to stick to their president’s wishes.
Now, DR Congo will attempt to make another splash in 2026, competing in Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
