Is Samuel Moutoussamy of Indian origin? Meet DR Congo player set for FIFA World Cup debut against Portugal
The 2026 FIFA World Cup witnesses players from diverse cultures, including a number of individuals whose families have connections outside the nations represented by the players.
Such a player would be DR Congo midfielder Samuel Moutoussamy, as he prepares to make his debut at the most significant event in football.
The veteran midfielder is poised to play a crucial role for DR Congo as the African country embarks on its Group K challenge against Portugal.
Despite representing DR Congo at the international level, The Sporting News explores Moutoussamy’s family traces and the origins to India.
Add The Sporting News as a preferred news source
Who is Samuel Moutoussamy?
Born on August 12, 1996, in Paris, France, Samuel Moutoussamy is an attacking midfielder known for his work rate, energy, and tactical intelligence from central midfield position.
He played for various youth academies in France before becoming a first-team player for FC Nantes, where he played seven years and featured in over 140 games for the club. Afterward, he moved to the Netherlands and Turkey for some time, and then went to play for Atromitos in the Greek Super League.
On the international scene, he has won over 50 caps for the DR Congo national team and was a member of the squad which reached the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.
MORE: Complete World Cup schedule and fixtures
Is Samuel Moutoussamy of Indian origin?
Yes, Samuel Moutoussamy is of Indian origin via his paternal lineage.
His father is an Indo-Guadeloupean whose origins trace back to India, among the Tamilians who travelled to the Caribbean country of Guadeloupe in the 19th century. His mother is from Congo, thus giving him connections not only to Africa but also to India.
Though born and bred in Paris, France, Samuel Moutoussamy’s Tamil background makes him one of the Indians participating in the upcoming FIFA World Cup of 2026.
MORE: Indian-origin players at FIFA World Cup
How did Samuel Moutoussamy qualify to play for DR Congo?
While he was born in France, he became eligible to play for DR Congo via the ancestry of his mother, who is Congolese. He opted to play for the Leopards and earned his first cap in 2019 when he established himself as an important player for the DR Congo team.
Now considered one of the more experienced players on the team, Moutoussamy looks set to be an important figure for DR Congo at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Which World Cup group is DR Congo in?
DR Congo have been drawn in Group K at FIFA World Cup 2026.
The group consists of:
- Portugal
- DR Congo
- Colombia
- Uzbekistan
What time does Portugal vs. DR Congo start?
This World Cup clash kicks off Wednesday, June 17, at 1 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
That translates to 10:30 p.m. IST on Wednesday, June 17, in India.
How to watch World Cup 2026: TV channels, live streams
- TV channel: Unite8, Unite8 HD, DD Sports
- Live stream: Zee5
The tournament will be broadcast on Unite8, Unite8 HD in India. The match will be available for live streaming on Zee5. Select matches will also be shown on DD Sports, free of any subscription.
For the 2026 World Cup, matches and related programming are expected to be available on Unite8 Sports on TV and Zee5 for live streaming. FIFA said the agreement includes multi-platform distribution, with linear television coverage through UNITE8 Sports and digital coverage through Zee5.
As always, viewers should check the latest Zee5 app details, TV provider listings and match-by-match schedules closer to kickoff, as channel placement, subscription requirements, language feeds and studio coverage can vary by platform.
