FIFA World Cup 2026: Desabre names DR Congo final squad

• Event: FIFA World Cup 2026
• Host countries: Canada, Mexico & United States of America (USA)
• Dates: 11th June to 19th July 2026
• Number of teams: 48
• Venues: 16 (16 host cities)

DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre has confirmed the full squad prior to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico and United States of America (USA).

West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa have been named.

Croydon-born Wan-Bissaka, 28, was capped by England at Under-21 level, and was called into the senior squad in 2019 but did not make an appearance.

The former Manchester United full-back switched international allegiances to DR Congo in August 2025 and has won nine caps for the Leopards.

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 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe has been included in the party along with Hibernian centre-back Rocky Bushiri, who limped out of their 1-0 defeat to Motherwell last weekend with a suspected Achilles injury.

Watford’s Edo Kayembe and Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki were named among DR Congo’s midfielders.

Also recalled experienced 34-year-old Gael Kakuta to the squad.

Former Chelsea midfielder Kakuta has played only twice in the last two years for the Congolese.

DR Congo is caged in Group K at the finals where they take on Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.

The country was known as Zaire when they last played at the World Cup in West Germany in 1974, losing all three games, including a 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia.

During that tournament Zaire’s Mwepu Ilunga memorably ran out of his team’s wall to kick the ball away against Brazil as they prepared to take a free-kick.

DR Congo World Cup squad:

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).

Full Groups:

• Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, Czech Republic
• Group B: Canada, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Qatar, Switzerland
• Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, Scotland
• Group D: United States of America (USA), Paraguay, Australia, Turkey
• Group E: Germany, Curacao, Ivory Coast, Ecuador
• Group F: Netherlands, Japan, Sweden, Tunisia
• Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, New Zealand
• Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, Uruguay
• Group I: France, Senegal, Iraq, Norway
• Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, Jordan
• Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia
• Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, Panama