West Ham United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa are among the headline names in DR Congo's squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Wan-Bissaka, 28, was born in Croydon and represented England at Under-21 level. He was called into the senior England setup in 2019 but never made an appearance, before switching international allegiances to DR Congo in August 2025. The former Manchester United full-back has since earned nine caps for the Leopards.

Wissa's inclusion is notable given a difficult debut season at Newcastle, where he has battled form and injury since his move from Brentford last summer. He was left out of the DR Congo squad for the Africa Cup of Nations but has earned a recall for the World Cup.

British-based players feature prominently

Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe has also been named in the squad, alongside Hibernian centre-back Rocky Bushiri. Bushiri's availability is uncertain, however — he limped off during Hibernian's 1-0 defeat to Motherwell last weekend with a suspected Achilles injury.

Watford's Edo Kayembe and Sunderland's Noah Sadiki are among the midfielders selected by coach Sebastien Desabre.

Desabre has also recalled veteran midfielder Gael Kakuta, 34, who has featured only twice for the Congolese in the last two years. The former Chelsea player returns to bolster an experienced core in the squad.

A historic return to the World Cup stage

DR Congo are placed in Group K at the finals, where they will face Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan — a daunting test by any measure.

It represents a momentous return for the nation, which last appeared at the World Cup in 1974 under the name Zaire, competing in West Germany. That campaign was a chastening one: three defeats, including a 9-0 loss to Yugoslavia. The tournament is also remembered for a piece of unforgettable World Cup folklore, when Zaire's Mwepu Ilunga broke from his team's defensive wall to kick the ball away as Brazil prepared to take a free kick.

DR Congo World Cup squad in full

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).