West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa have been named in DR Congo 2026 World Cup squad. Wan-Bissaka, who was capped y England at Under-21 level and called into the senior squad in 2019, switched his international allegiance to DR Congo in 2025.
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He helped the Central African team qualify for the World Cup and also featured in the 2025 African Cup of Nations where the Leopards were eliminated at the last 16.
Wissa was also selected after missing out of the 2025 AFCON due to injuries. Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe, Watford’s Edo Kayembe, Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki and former Chelsea midfielder Gael Kakuta were included in the squad.
This is DR Congo’s first World Cup appearance since West Germany 1974, when they were known as Zaire. The Leopards would hope to correct their infamous record of losing all three group games, including a record 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia.
DR Congo will open their tournament against Portugal on June 17 at the Houston Stadium before facing Uzbekistan and Colombia on June 23 and June 27 respectively.
DR Congo World Cup full squad
Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre).
Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Gedoon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), 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 (Castellon), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor), Gael Kakuta (Larisa), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland).
Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United).
