Yoane Wissa Heads to 2026 World Cup as DR Congo Return After 52 Years

Yoane Wissa is heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup with the Democratic Republic of Congo, as the country prepares for its first appearance at the tournament in 52 years. The Newcastle United forward, 29, was part of the playoff run that got DR Congo there.

Wissa and DR Congo

DR Congo last played at the World Cup in 1974, when the side competed as Zaire. This return puts Wissa into Group K against Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan, a demanding draw for a team that has already waited more than half a century to get back.

Sébastien Desabre has built the qualification campaign around players who could handle the pressure of the playoff stage, and Wissa returned from injury earlier this year to feature in that run. His presence gave DR Congo another attacking option at the exact moment the campaign tightened.

Newcastle’s £55 million forward

The same summer that took him to Newcastle from Brentford for a fee reported to be around £55 million also brought a harder test. His first season at Newcastle was disrupted by injury problems, and he missed significant time with a knee injury suffered while on international duty with DR Congo.

That leaves Newcastle tracking a player they still want fit and sharp. They are hoping Wissa can stay injury-free and rediscover the sharpness, movement and finishing ability that made him a threat at Brentford, while DR Congo will need him available from the start of their Group K schedule against Portugal before meetings with Colombia and Uzbekistan.

For Wissa, the tournament is both a national milestone and a chance to reset after a stop-start season. He goes into it as one of the faces of DR Congo’s return, with the weight of a 52-year wait and the expectation that he can turn international form into a stronger run at club level.