DR Congo suffer World Cup blow as star striker fights for fitness

DR Congo’s dream of reaching the 2026 World Cup has taken an uneasy turn, with concerns growing over the fitness of their star striker at a crucial moment in their campaign.

As the Leopards await a decisive verdict off the pitch, uncertainty now surrounds one of their key attacking weapons.

While club football delivered smiles for Newcastle in the FA Cup fourth round, it also brought worrying news for DR Congo. Newcastle defeated Aston Villa 3-1, with Sandro Tonali scoring twice and Nick Woltemade adding another, but Yoane Wissa was notably absent from the victory.

Providing an update, Newcastle boss Eddie Howe admitted there is still uncertainty around the forward’s condition.

“Yoane picked up a knock in training yesterday. Again, I don’t think it’s serious but he may miss a couple of games. Let’s wait and see,” Howe explained. Although the injury is not believed to be severe, the timing could hardly be worse for DR Congo.

Wissa has grown into a vital attacking outlet for the Leopards, bringing pace, movement, and composure in big moments. With the Inter-confederation Play-offs looming in March 2026, even a short spell on the sidelines could disrupt preparations.

The fitness concern arrives at a delicate stage in DR Congo’s World Cup journey. The Leopards finished second in Group B with 22 points, narrowly missing automatic qualification behind Senegal, who topped the group with 24 points.

However, DR Congo earned another lifeline by progressing as one of the four best runners-up into the CAF Play-off Stage. In November 2025, they produced a remarkable run, defeating Cameroon 1–0 in the semi-finals before overcoming Nigeria on penalties in the final to keep their hopes alive.

Yet the matter has now shifted from the pitch to the boardroom. The Nigeria Football Federation has filed a protest with FIFA, alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the qualification campaign. A final verdict is expected imminently, and the outcome could dramatically reshape the narrative.

If the results are upheld, DR Congo will advance to the Inter-confederation Play-offs in March 2026, where they will have one final opportunity to secure a place at the World Cup. But if the ruling goes against them, their historic surge could be undone.