After a 52-year exile, DR Congo is back at the World Cup to rewrite the narrative surrounding its national team. The Leopards, known at the time as Zaire, became the laughing stock of the 1974 edition in West Germany when they conceded 14 goals and scored none in their World Cup debut. It then took over half a century and a bit of set-piece magic for the team to qualify again for the 2026 edition. Sébastien Desabre’s men might lack experience on the grand stage, but DR Congo come into the tournament with a hunger to prove itself worthy of a spot among the top teams on the continent. What better test than to kick off the tournament against reigning UEFA Nations League champion Portugal on June 17. The Road to the World Cup Qualification record (including playoffs) : 10W-2L-1D Goals for / against (including playoffs):  18 / 7 Top scorer:  Cédric Bakambu (4) Assist leader:  Yoane Wissa (3) DR Congo finished second in CAF Group B, dooming the team to a complicated playoff route.…