Massive boost for Yoane Wissa | OneFootball

It has been a miserable last few months for Yoane Wissa.

The striker eventually got his dream move to St James’ Park, only to then pick up a bad injury before he could even get on the pitch for Newcastle United.

That injury coming in a crucial World Cup group qualifier against Senegal, only a draw was needed to pretty much guarantee automatic World Cup qualification. Yoane Wissa scoring to put DR Congo ahead and in the later stages when he was subbed off, the game a draw. Only for a very late Senegal winner, which ended up meaning they automatically qualified for the 2026 World Cup finals instead.

Meanwhile, Yoane Wissa who had missed only three Premier League matches due to injury in the last three years, still hasn’t made his Newcastle United debut, as Eddie Howe looks to get him in the best possible shape before playing him.

In his absence, having finished second in their group, DR Congo had World Cup play-offs to deal with, a lengthy process if they are to go through.

The November internationals saw DR Congo having to come through the African stage of the play-offs first.

On Thursday, a goal in added time from former Newcastle United defender Chancel Mbemba won their African play-off semi-final against Cameroon.

This meant they had to play Nigeria in the African play-off final on Sunday.

When Nigeria took an early lead it looked bleak, only for DR Congo to equalise.

The rest of the 90 minutes and then extra time couldn’t split the two teams, which meant penalties.

It ended up 3-3 and one penalty left to take, up stepped Chancel Mbemba to send DR Congo through to the next stage of these play-offs.

DR Congo will now join Bolivia, New Caledonia, one team from AFC, and two from CONCACAF in the inter-confederation play-offs.

The teams will be ranked according to the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, with the four lowest-ranked teams playing in two single-elimination matches. The winners will meet the two highest-ranked teams in another set of single-elimination matches, with the winners of these matches qualifying for the 2026 World Cup finals.

These games will be played in March 2026 in North America.