DR Congo have named Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Yoane Wissa in their World Cup squad, and the two selections stand out for different reasons. Wan-Bissaka only switched international allegiance in August 2025 but already has nine caps, while Wissa arrives after a difficult spell at Newcastle marked by form and injury issues. It gives the squad announcement a bit more weight than a standard list of names.
BBC Sport reported: "West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa have been named in DR Congo's squad for the World Cup."
Why Wan-Bissaka is the headline name
Wan-Bissaka's inclusion is the sharper story here because the international switch is still recent, yet he is already well beyond the level of a token addition. He changed allegiance to Congo DR in August 2025 and has since won nine caps.
That matters. A player with nine international appearances is already embedded in the setup, not just being looked at. For Sebastien Desabre, this is less about introducing a new option and more about using a defender who has already been absorbed into the group.
There is club workload behind that call too. Wan-Bissaka played 25 Premier League matches in 2025 for West Ham, which gives DR Congo a player arriving with regular top-flight minutes behind him. His 6.62 Premier League rating in 2025 points to steady rather than spectacular form, and his 6.85 FA Cup rating suggests some of his better displays came in knockout football.
That is probably the sensible way to frame him in this squad. He is not being picked off hype. He is being picked because the switch has already happened, the caps are already there, and his domestic workload has been substantial.
Why Wissa's call-up comes with more doubt
Wissa's selection is easier to question, but not because there is no case for him. The issue is that the source itself makes clear he has had a difficult season.
BBC Sport said: "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 Africa Cup of Nations."
That is the key line in his call-up. Wissa has been included despite the setbacks, not because those setbacks have disappeared. In 2025 he made 18 Premier League appearances for Newcastle and scored 1 goal, which explains why the selection does not carry the same certainty as Wan-Bissaka's.
Still, the numbers are not completely empty. His 6.97 Champions League rating in 2025 was stronger than his 6.44 Premier League mark, which at least suggests he has still produced some decent-level performances in a tougher setting. That softens the idea that he has simply fallen away, even if the broader picture remains uneven.
The Africa Cup of Nations omission also gives this recall a bit more edge. DR Congo are clearly willing to go back to him, and that says plenty about how they still view his usefulness when available.
The wider context still follows DR Congo
There is also a historical shadow behind any DR Congo World Cup story. They last appeared at the tournament in 1974, when the country was known as Zaire. That campaign ended with three defeats, including the 9-0 loss to Yugoslavia that still sits in World Cup memory.
This squad announcement does not promise anything beyond selection, and it should not be dressed up as proof of what comes next. What it does show is that DR Congo have two recognisable names in Wan-Bissaka and Wissa, with one representing a fast-settled allegiance switch and the other a more complicated bet on talent through a rough season.
For now, Wan-Bissaka looks like the cleaner story and the stronger call. Wissa is the riskier one, but he is in the squad all the same.
FAQ
Why is Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the DR Congo World Cup squad now?
Wan-Bissaka is in the squad because he switched international allegiance to DR Congo in August 2025 and has already won nine caps. That makes this a settled selection rather than a late gamble, and it is one of the most notable details in the squad announcement.
Has Yoane Wissa been struggling before the DR Congo World Cup squad call-up?
Yes, the source says Wissa has struggled with form and injuries since joining Newcastle last summer. He was also omitted from Newcastle's Africa Cup of Nations squad. Even so, DR Congo have selected him, which suggests Sebastien Desabre still values his option in the group.
What stands out most about the DR Congo World Cup squad announcement?
The main talking points are Wan-Bissaka's international switch and quick integration, plus Wissa's recall despite an uneven season. Wan-Bissaka has nine caps already, while Wissa's club year has been disrupted, so the squad story is about availability and identity as much as star names.
What is DR Congo's previous World Cup history?
DR Congo last played at the World Cup in 1974, when the country was known as Zaire. They lost all three matches, including a 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia. That history still hangs over any new World Cup squad announcement involving the national team.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
