DR Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre has called on his squad to embrace calculated risk and cast aside any fear as they prepare to face Portugal in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 group fixture.

Desabre made clear that the Leopards will not approach the match as passive underdogs. He wants his side to dictate terms and play to their strengths, regardless of the opposition's stature.

"I want my team to play, so we'll take risks. Those risks will be measured. There's no fear ahead of those big events," Desabre told reporters, as quoted by Reuters.

The coach emphasized the importance of managing the psychological weight of a World Cup opener, insisting DR Congo will rely on their own identity rather than adapting to Portugal's game plan.

"What we have to do is to deal with the pressure, the pressure of the first game. We also have a great strength that we'll be using on the pitch, and we're going to get started with our own specific style of play, and we are, of course, highly motivated. We are excited to play against such a big team."

A message to 100 million Congolese

Desabre also addressed the nation directly, acknowledging the weight of expectation from a country of 100 million people watching from home. He stressed that the team would approach the match with multiple tactical options and adjust according to how the game unfolds.

"There are different options. We will start with one option… and based on the balance of power, we'll see. We have 100 million Congolese people who will be watching us. Of course, we want to perform well. We want to show courage. And we'll do our best on the pitch."

Tuanzebe: the pressure is on Portugal

Defender Axel Tuanzebe reinforced his coach's message, arguing that the burden of expectation falls squarely on Portugal's shoulders — not DR Congo's.

"They do have places that we can exploit and get a result from. There's no pressure on us. Most of the pressure is on them, and sometimes pressure can get the better of you."

Tuanzebe also set out broader ambitions for the tournament, framing DR Congo's campaign as an opportunity to raise the profile of African football on the world stage.

"We want to have a good World Cup, for sure. We're not going to set our expectations too high, but we definitely can make an impact to help uplift African football as well. We're here to play our part, and let's see how far we can get."