Axel Tuanzebe
DR Congo defender who scored a 100th-minute winner to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
Last refreshed: 1 April 2026
Will Tuanzebe's tournament experience from English football anchor DR Congo's defence?
Timeline for Axel Tuanzebe
DR Congo Beat Jamaica AET in Guadalajara; Security Holds Again
2026 FIFA World Cup- Who is Axel Tuanzebe?
- A defender born in DR Congo and raised in England who came through the Manchester United academy. He scored in the 100th minute to send DR Congo to the 2026 World Cup.Source: FIFA
- Did DR Congo qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
- Yes. Tuanzebe scored in the 100th minute to beat Jamaica 1-0 after extra time in Guadalajara on 31 March 2026.Source: FIFA
- How did Axel Tuanzebe score for DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup?
- Axel Tuanzebe scored a 100th-minute winner for DR Congo against Jamaica in extra time in Guadalajara on 31 March 2026, sending the Democratic Republic of Congo to the 2026 World Cup. Tuanzebe, who came through the Manchester United academy, chose to represent DR Congo rather than England.Source: FIFA
Background
Axel Tuanzebe is a defender born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in England, where he came through the Manchester United academy. He chose to represent the DR Congo national team. On 31 March 2026, Tuanzebe scored in the 100th minute of extra time to give DR Congo a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in Guadalajara, qualifying DR Congo for the 2026 World Cup.
His goal came deep into extra time of a cagey playoff encounter. The match was played in Guadalajara under heightened security, with over 2,000 officers deployed. Tuanzebe's decision to represent DR Congo rather than England, despite having played in the Premier League, reflects a broader pattern of diaspora players choosing African nations when both options are available.