Aaron Wan-Bissaka pulled on a West Ham shirt this season as a Premier League defender, but when DR Congo's World Cup squad was announced, the Croydon-born full-back found himself representing the Leopards on football's biggest stage. At 28, Wan-Bissaka has completed a striking journey across international football—from English youth system to senior call-up, and now to World Cup competition with the nation of his heritage. His story captures a broader reshaping of DR Congo's squad, one built around established European talent and a hunger to move past the painful chapters of their World Cup past.
The squad announcement marks a significant moment for a nation that last competed in the World Cup in 1974, when they were known as Zaire and competed in West Germany. That tournament remains seared into memory: three losses without a goal, including a devastating 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia. More than fifty years later, DR Congo returns to the World Cup stage with players competing across Europe's top leagues—from Lille midfielder Ngal'ayel Mukau to Real Betis forward Cedric Bakambu—ready to write a new chapter.
Wan-Bissaka's inclusion is notable for another reason. The former Manchester United defender was capped by England at Under-21 level and called into the senior squad in 2019, yet never made an appearance. In August 2025, he switched his international allegiance to DR Congo, for whom he has already earned nine caps. His partnership in the back line includes Burnley's Axel Tuanzebe and Hibernian's Rocky Bushiri, though Bushiri's availability is uncertain after limping out of their 1-0 defeat to Motherwell last weekend with a suspected Achilles injury.
In attack, Newcastle United's Yoane Wissa has been handed a lifeline. The striker has struggled with form and injuries since joining Newcastle from Brentford last summer, and was notably omitted from DR Congo's squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. This selection suggests the coaching staff sees value in his experience and potential as the team prepares for Group K competition against Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.
Coach Sebastien Desabre has also recalled experienced midfielder Gael Kakuta, the 34-year-old former Chelsea player who has made just two appearances for the Leopards in the last two years. Kakuta's return speaks to Desabre's willingness to blend youth and experience. The midfield also features Watford's Edo Kayembe and Sunderland's Noah Sadiki, lending the squad further Premier League and Championship experience.
DR Congo's path to the finals reflects both the globalisation of football and the deep roots many African nations maintain across diaspora communities. Wan-Bissaka and Wissa represent players who have grown up in Europe but chosen to represent their heritage on the world stage. As the Leopards prepare to face Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan, they carry with them not just the weight of fifty years of absence, but the expectations of a nation that has waited longer than most for another chance to compete in the World Cup.