---
title: HR 56. Democratic Republic of the Congo National Football Team; competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup; recognize
collection: bills
id: 2026-special/hr56
cite_as: HR 56, 2026 Special Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr56
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr56.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr56/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74917
date: 2026-06-23
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr55.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr57.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr56.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 56
session: 2026 Special Session
session_slug: 2026-special
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2026-06-23
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Segun Adeyina
  - Ron Stephens
  - Phil Olaleye
  - Terry Cummings
  - Arlene Beckles
  - Solomon Adesanya
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR56/2026/X1
upstream_id: 2154545
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - FIFA World Cup
  - Atlanta sports
  - Congolese community
  - ceremonial resolution
  - Mercedes-Benz Stadium
---

# HR 56. Democratic Republic of the Congo National Football Team; competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup; recognize

## Text

House Resolution 56EX
By: Representatives Adeyina of the 110th, Stephens of the 164th, Olaleye of the 59th,
Cummings of the 39th, Beckles of the 96th, and others
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing and honoring the Democratic Republic of the Congo National Football Team
for qualifying for and competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the people of the State of Georgia join football supporters throughout the world
in celebrating the remarkable achievement of the Democratic Republic of the Congo National
Football Team, known as Les Léopards (The Leopards), in qualifying for and competing in
the 2026 FIFA World Cup; and
WHEREAS, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has a proud football heritage and has
long been recognized as one of Africa's historic football powers, producing generations of
talented athletes who have excelled at the highest levels of international competition; and
WHEREAS, the qualification of the Democratic Republic of the Congo National Football
Team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup represents a significant milestone for the nation and
reflects the dedication, perseverance, and determination of its players, coaches, and
supporters; and
H. R. 56EX
WHEREAS, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has achieved notable success in African
football, including victories in the Africa Cup of Nations and numerous accomplishments
that have inspired athletes throughout Africa and the global Congolese diaspora; and
WHEREAS, the Democratic Republic of the Congo National Football Team has
demonstrated resilience, discipline, teamwork, and excellence in earning the honor of
representing its nation on the world's greatest sporting stage; and
WHEREAS, under the leadership of its coaching staff and football federation officials, the
team has continued to build upon its rich football tradition while showcasing the talent, pride,
and competitive spirit of the Congolese people; and
WHEREAS, the State of Georgia values the growing friendship and cooperation between the
United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, relationships strengthened through
trade, education, cultural exchange, entrepreneurship, faith-based partnerships, and
community engagement; and Georgia is honored to serve as a host site for the 2026 FIFA
World Cup, including the Group K match between the Democratic Republic of the Congo
National Football Team and the Uzbekistan National Football Team to be played at the
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. EDT;
and
WHEREAS, Georgia is home to members of the Congolese community whose contributions
in business, healthcare, education, public service, faith organizations, and civic leadership
enrich the cultural and economic vitality of communities throughout the state; and
WHEREAS, the Democratic Republic of the Congo's participation in the 2026 FIFA World
Cup, including its appearance in Atlanta against Uzbekistan at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on
H. R. 56EX
June 27, 2026, serves as a source of immense pride and inspiration for Congolese citizens
and Congolese-Americans residing in Georgia and throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, the members of the Democratic Republic of the Congo National Football Team
have demonstrated exceptional athletic ability, dedication, professionalism, and commitment
in earning the opportunity to compete among the world's elite football nations; and
WHEREAS, the coaches, technical staff, medical personnel, and support team have provided
exemplary leadership and guidance in preparing the team for competition at the highest level
of international football; and
WHEREAS, these athletes and team representatives serve as ambassadors for the Democratic
Republic of the Congo and exemplify the values of excellence, perseverance, teamwork, and
national pride.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body recognize and honor the Democratic Republic of the Congo
National Football Team, its coaches, technical staff, and players for qualifying for and
competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup and extend best wishes for continued success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the
Democratic Republic of the Congo National Football Team.
H. R. 56EX

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia House resolution honors the Democratic Republic of the Congo National Football Team for qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, ahead of its Atlanta match against Uzbekistan.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives recognizes the Democratic Republic of the Congo National Football Team, known as Les Léopards, for qualifying for and competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It highlights the team's history and achievements, notes Georgia's role as a host site for the tournament, and points specifically to the Group K match between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uzbekistan scheduled at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on June 27, 2026.
The resolution also acknowledges the Congolese community living in Georgia and the ties between the United States and the Democratic Republic of the Congo through trade, education, and cultural exchange. It does not create any new law, spending, or requirement; it formally states the House's recognition and directs the Clerk of the House to send a copy of the resolution to the team.

### What it does

- Formally recognizes and honors the Democratic Republic of the Congo National Football Team, its coaches, technical staff, and players for reaching the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- States the Georgia House's best wishes for the team's continued success in the tournament.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to the team.
- Notes Georgia's role as a host site for a specific World Cup match at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

### Who it affects

The Democratic Republic of the Congo National Football Team, its coaches and staff, and the Congolese and Congolese-American community in Georgia are named directly. The resolution also touches the Clerk of the House, who must prepare and send the document.

### Why it matters

The resolution carries symbolic rather than legal weight: it does not change any Georgia law, spend money, or create obligations beyond the Clerk sending a copy to the team. Its practical effect is a formal, public statement of goodwill tied to Georgia hosting a World Cup match in Atlanta.

### Key provisions

- The whereas clauses describe the team's qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and its football history, including Africa Cup of Nations success.
- The whereas clauses identify Georgia as a host site for the Group K match between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uzbekistan at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 27, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. EDT.
- The first resolving clause formally recognizes and honors the team, coaches, technical staff, and players.
- The second resolving clause directs the Clerk of the House to distribute a copy of the resolution to the team.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2026-06-23)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2026-06-23)
- Sponsors: Segun Adeyina, Ron Stephens, Phil Olaleye, Terry Cummings, Arlene Beckles, Solomon Adesanya
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/74917

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2026-special/hr56.md?full=1