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Congo’s 9-0 1974 Humiliation, Returns to World Cup 2026

6/18/2026

28 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Zaire lost 9-0 to Yugoslavia at the 1974 World Cup, tying the tournament’s biggest margin.
Mobutu Sese Seko warned the squad after their 3-0 loss to Brazil and cut funding.
FIFA paid the players 3,000 Deutsche marks when they refused to face Yugoslavia.
DR Congo will return to the World Cup in 2026 after 52 years, opening versus Portugal with qualifiers Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

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Story summary

Zaire lost 9-0 to Yugoslavia at the 1974 World Cup, tying the tournament’s biggest margin.
Mobutu Sese Seko warned the squad after their 3-0 loss to Brazil and cut funding.
FIFA paid the players 3,000 Deutsche marks when they refused to face Yugoslavia.
DR Congo will return to the World Cup in 2026 after 52 years, opening versus Portugal with qualifiers Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.