The Leopards narrowly missed out on automatic qualification, finishing only two points behind Senegal despite suffering just one loss in their 10 Group B qualifying matches.
However, that was enough to advance them to the CAF play-off round, where they earned Africa’s sole spot in the inter-confederation play-offs set to take place in Mexico.
A last-gasp goal from Chancel Mbemba saw the Central Africans edge past Cameroon in their first play-off match, before they overcame Nigeria on penalties after a 1-1 draw from 120 minutes.
Sebastien Desabre’s side now face either Jamaica or New Caledonia in a winner-takes-all clash next March to return to the World Cup for the first time in 52 years.
The retired left-back, a member of the FIFA Technical Study Group at the just concluded U17 World Cup, remains confident in D.R. Congo’s World Cup bid, citing their results against the Super Eagles and the Indomitable Lions as important confidence boosters.
"Yes, of course. Our strong results against top teams in Africa (Nigeria and Cameroon) have given us huge confidence and belief, boosting our morale as we look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead," Ilunga told Flashscore.
"It's no surprise (that we qualified for the play-offs). It's a great pleasure. It’s a lot of hard work. It's a team that has been working together for a while now, for a few years. We deserved it."
Ilunga praises the impact of coach Desabre since he replaced Hector Cuper as head coach of the two-time African champions in 2022.
Under Desabre, D.R. Congo finished fourth at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, narrowly losing to South Africa on penalties in the third-place play-off.
The Central Africans have also been remarkably consistent, remaining unbeaten in nine of their last 10 matches across all competitions to establish themselves as one of the reemerging forces in African football.
"Since the arrival of Sebastien Desabre as coach, the team has enjoyed a fantastic run, especially at the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire," he added.
"It's great organisation, you see the idea of how they play is very clear and the results follow."
Echoing Ilunga’s sentiment, former international Ndiaye Kasongo believes that only the players themselves can prevent D.R. Congo from reaching the World Cup.
"After many decades of waiting, I truly believe the moment has finally come for us to qualify for the FIFA World Cup," the former Motema Pembe player told Flashscore.
"Our recent performances against top sides like Nigeria, Senegal, and Cameroon show that we are capable of competing with anyone, and I do not see any team stopping us in the play-offs if we maintain this level.
"The players are hungry for the world’s biggest stage, and only they can stand in their own way.
"As I told some members of the coaching staff recently, we already have one hand on the World Cup ticket, and we must do everything possible to make sure we don’t let it slip away.
"The draw may look favourable, but we must approach every opponent with respect. On the secret of our performances recently, I think this is not magic.
"It's the product of years of hard work, discipline, and dedication. Our time has finally arrived."
Should D.R. Congo qualify for the World Cup, they will automatically be placed in Group K alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
Before the play-offs, the Leopards will compete at AFCON 2025 in Morocco, where they will aim to secure their third continental title.
They have been drawn in Group D alongside Senegal, Benin, and Botswana. They open their campaign against the Zebras on December 23rd at the Tangier Grand Stadium.
