Wan-Bissaka and Wissa in DR Congo World Cup squad
West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa are named in DR Congo's squad for the World Cup.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka represented England at the 2019 European Under-21 Championship [Getty Images] West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa have been named in DR Congo's squad for the World Cup. Croydon-born Wan-Bissaka, 28, was capped by England at Under-21 level, and was called into the senior squad in 2019 but did not make an appearance. The former Manchester United full-back switched international allegiances to DR Congo in August 2025 and has won nine caps for the Leopards.
Wissa, who has struggled with form and injuries since he joined Newcastle from Brentford last summer , has been selected after being omitted from their squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe has been included in the party along with Hibernian centre-back Rocky Bushiri, who limped out of their 1-0 defeat to Motherwell last weekend with a suspected Achilles injury. Watford's Edo Kayembe and Sunderland's Noah Sadiki were named among DR Congo's midfielders.
DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre has also recalled experienced 34-year-old Gael Kakuta to the squad. Former Chelsea midfielder Kakuta has played only twice in the last two years for the Congolese. DR Congo compete in Group K at the finals where they take on Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.
The country was known as Zaire when they last played at the World Cup in West Germany in 1974, losing all three games, including a 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia. During that tournament Zaire's Mwepu Ilunga memorably ran out of his team's wall to kick the ball away against Brazil as they prepared to take a free-kick. DR Congo World Cup squad Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre).