Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Yoane Wissa will both be heading to the World Cup this summer after DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre named the pair in his squad for the finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Wan-Bissaka, the 28-year-old West Ham United right-back, completed his switch of international allegiance from England to the Leopards in August 2025 and has already accumulated nine caps since making that commitment. The Croydon-born defender had previously represented England at under-21 level and was called into the senior England set-up in 2019, though he never made an appearance for the Three Lions at that level. He now prepares for what will be his first major senior tournament.

Wissa's inclusion is arguably the more surprising of the two. The Newcastle United striker has endured a difficult debut season at St James' Park following his move from Brentford last summer, with form and fitness both proving elusive. He was left out of the DR Congo squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, making his recall here a statement of faith from Desabre ahead of the biggest stage of all.

British-based players throughout the squad

The DR Congo squad features a notable cluster of players based in the United Kingdom. Burnley central defender Axel Tuanzebe has been included, as has Hibernian centre-back Rocky Bushiri — though Bushiri is a fitness concern after limping off in Hibs' 1-0 defeat to Motherwell last weekend with a suspected Achilles injury.

Championship clubs are also represented: Watford's Edo Kayembe and Sunderland's Noah Sadiki have both been selected in midfield, giving the squad a strong connection to English football at various levels.

Kakuta recalled as Desabre balances experience and youth

Desabre has also brought back Gaël Kakuta, the 34-year-old former Chelsea midfielder, despite the player having featured only twice for the Congolese over the past two years. It is a selection that raises eyebrows but underlines the coach's desire to have experienced campaigners available in what is an enormous occasion for the nation.

A historic return to football's biggest stage

DR Congo's participation in the 2026 World Cup carries considerable historical weight. The country last appeared at the finals when it was still known as Zaire, at the 1974 tournament in West Germany. That campaign ended without a point — including a 9-0 thrashing by Yugoslavia — and is remembered in football folklore largely for the moment Mwepu Ilunga sprinted from the defensive wall to kick away a Brazil free-kick before it could be taken.

More than half a century on, DR Congo return to the global stage with genuine Premier League and EFL quality throughout their ranks. They have been drawn in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan — a testing group, but one in which progression is not beyond them.

Full DR Congo squad

  • Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liège), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre)
  • Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Gedoon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Łódź), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Racing Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United)
  • Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Castellón), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor), Gaël Kakuta (Larisa), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland)
  • Forwards: Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United)

Frequently asked

Which group are DR Congo in at the 2026 World Cup?
DR Congo have been drawn in Group K alongside Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.
Why did Aaron Wan-Bissaka switch from England to DR Congo?
Wan-Bissaka was capped by England at under-21 level and called into the senior squad in 2019 but never won a cap. He completed his switch of allegiance to DR Congo in August 2025 and has since earned nine caps for the Leopards.
When did DR Congo last play at the World Cup?
DR Congo last appeared at the World Cup in 1974, when they competed as Zaire in West Germany. They lost all three group games, including a 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia.