DR Congo’s Leopards returned to the World Cup after 52 years. Black tailored suit, white shirt, tie, a cross-body sash with leopard print across the chest, and a brooch shaped like the feline in sparkling stones. 🐆
That was how the Democratic Republic of the Congo delegation set foot in Houston on June 12, and social media took less than five minutes to explode.
The outfit — designed by Alvin Jmak of the Congolese brand JMAKxPARIS — is no coincidence: the leopard is the national symbol and the team’s official nickname, the Leopards. Every detail of the look carries that identity embroidered into it, literally.
What makes the story even bigger: Congo returns to the World Cup after 52 years away. Their last appearance was in Germany 1974, when they competed as Zaire. Now they will make their debut on June 17 against Portugal at Houston’s NRG Stadium. 🌍⚽
