Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa will head to the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time after being selected in DR Congo’s 26-man squad for this summer’s tournament.
The Magpies’ forward’s call-up comes at the end of a difficult first season on Tyneside. Wissa arrived after Newcastle decided to sell Alexander Isak way too late last summer, but his campaign was disrupted early by an injury and he struggled to get into any rhythm in Eddie Howe’s side throughout the season.
Despite those challenges
and his potential exit during this summer transfer window, his international place was pretty much never in doubt, considering his talent compared to that of those named into the DR Congo roster. Just consider that this expanded World Cup will mark DR Congo’s first appearance at a World Cup finals since 1974.
Before the group stage begins, DR Congo will play two friendlies as part of their preparation. The Leopards face Denmark on Wednesday, June 3, at Stade Maurice Dufrasne in Liège, Belgium. They then face Chile six days later at the Municipal de La Linea in Spain.
DR Congo open their Group K campaign against Portugal on Wednesday, June 17, at NRG Stadium in Houston. Their second group game comes against Colombia at Estadio Akron on Wednesday, June 24.
The Leopards close the group stage against Uzbekistan at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sunday, June 28.
