Congo DR coach Sébastien Desabre learns of father’s death after World Cup match

By Sanjay Menon — 2 July 2026 — 3 min read

Congo DR head coach Sébastien Desabre received news of his father’s death during a post-match press conference, moments after his team’s elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026. The announcement followed Congo DR‘s 2-1 defeat to England in the Round of 32 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

The press conference, initially a routine media interaction, took an emotional turn when a team communications officer interrupted the proceedings to deliver the solemn news. The officer stated in French, “Thank you, but we are announcing that the coach has lost his father. Sincere condolences.” This announcement led to a silence in the room.

Footage circulating on social media shows Desabre appearing visibly stunned by the news. He responded with a quiet “Merci” before rising from his seat and departing, bringing the press conference to an immediate close. It is not clear if the 49-year-old coach had prior knowledge of his father’s passing before entering the media room, but his reaction suggested the announcement was unexpected.

Team’s World Cup Journey Concludes

The tragic news came shortly after Congo DR‘s historic World Cup campaign concluded. Playing in their first-ever World Cup knockout match, the African side had a strong start against England. Brian Cipenga scored his first international goal just seven minutes into the match, giving Congo DR an early lead.

However, England captain Harry Kane scored two goals in the later stages of the match, securing a 2-1 comeback victory for England. This result booked England a spot in the Round of 16 against co-hosts Mexico. Despite the defeat, Desabre had praised his players for their fighting spirit and the progress demonstrated throughout the tournament.

Before the announcement, Desabre expressed disappointment but acknowledged his team’s performance. He noted, “We’re disappointed because we really believed we could do it. We played well. Towards the end of the match, we conceded two chances, and one of the world’s best players scored two goals against us. It’s a shame.” He also congratulated his players, highlighting the experience gained from competing against such teams.

Desabre guided Congo DR to their first FIFA World Cup appearance since 1974, when the nation, then known as Zaire, was the first sub-Saharan African country to qualify. The team also reached the knockout stage for the first time, marking this campaign as one of the country’s significant football achievements.

Coach’s Remarks on Team Performance

Prior to his departure from the press conference, Desabre defended his players’ performance despite their elimination. He emphasized that the team had performed commendably, reflecting the progress of Congolese football. He stated that representing the national team always requires making a significant impact and sacrifices, which he believed his players achieved throughout their World Cup campaign.

The coach acknowledged his players’ disappointment following their elimination but stressed that the team had performed well throughout the tournament. According to the Spanish newspaper Marca, he pointed out that Congo DR scored five goals and conceded five during the competition. He also highlighted their ability to compete effectively against higher-ranked teams such as Colombia, Portugal, Uzbekistan, and England.

The statistics, including the five goals scored and five conceded, were cited as evidence of the team’s competitiveness and promising future in international competitions. The incident cast a shadow over the World Cup atmosphere, with fans and the wider sporting community expressing sympathy for the coach during this difficult time.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com