Haiti, DR Congo End 52‑Year Absence at 2026 World Cup

Haiti clinched a CONCACAF berth and DR Congo beat Jamaica in the play‑in to join the 48‑team 2026 World Cup field. Both nations last competed in 1974, when DR Congo was known as Zaire. Their return follows Iraq’s 40‑year absence after a 1986 debut, as the expanded tournament opens new opportunities for long‑missing teams.