Yohan Wissa Leads DR Congo's Surprise Run at 2026 World Cup

Yohan Wissa, a striker born in a Paris suburb to Congolese immigrants, has become a key figure for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) national team at the 2026 World Cup. Despite a challenging club season at Newcastle United, where he was signed for £50 million but scored only once and struggled with injuries, Wissa has regained form on the international stage. He helped DR Congo reach the round of 32, scoring crucial goals including a brace against Uzbekistan and a goal in a draw with Portugal.

Wissa, who speaks Lingala and identifies strongly with his Congolese heritage despite being born in France, has been part of the national team since his time at Lorient. His playing style suits international football well: quick, precise, and relentless in pressing. His return to form at the World Cup comes after a serious knee injury and a difficult season in England, where he was Newcastle's fourth-choice striker and had limited starts.

Off the field, Wissa has overcome a traumatic acid attack at his home, an incident that left him physically and mentally scarred but determined to succeed. His resilience mirrors the struggles of DR Congo itself, a country facing dictatorship, corruption, and a severe Ebola outbreak that has displaced over a million people and led to international travel restrictions for the national team.

The DR Congo squad is composed entirely of players based abroad, many of whom are children of immigrants or overlooked talents from European leagues. Their unexpected victory over Uzbekistan marked their first World Cup win since 1974, when the country was known as Zaire. Now, they face a formidable England team featuring stars like Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham in a critical knockout match.

Despite being underdogs with limited resources and a turbulent national backdrop, DR Congo and Wissa have captured global attention. Their journey highlights not only sporting achievement but also political and social realities, symbolized by a fan dressed as Patrice Lumumba, the country’s first prime minister and a figure of resistance. Wissa’s comeback from injury and personal adversity embodies the team’s fighting spirit as they challenge one of the tournament favorites.