DR CONGO

For Congolese fans, the return of “The Spider” was a decade in the making. Initially called up by DR Congo at youth level in 2015 while still a winger, he experienced a heavy 8–0 defeat against England. That - and the lack of structure at the time - pushed him toward switching allegiance to the country he grew up in. As his career took off with Crystal Palace and Manchester United, he repeatedly turned down DR Congo, hoping for a call from Gareth Southgate that never came. With the national project improving and England’s depth at right-back growing, Wan-Bissaka eventually made the switch. "I wanted to join the national team when I was ready,” he told BBC Africa. “Only I know when I am ready and not when others decide.” Since earning his first cap in September 2025, his performances have quickly silenced those who once questioned his late commitment.

While at Châteroux’s academy in France, a 16-year-old Wissa sent a cover letter to the Congolese federation on Facebook hoping for one thing: a chance to play for his country. Thirteen years later, his success in the Premier League has made him one of the greatest ambassadors of Congolese football. Accessible, humble and down to earth, Wissa’s journey has been anything but conventional. Before becoming a striker, he was a goalkeeper. His first season at Newcastle was disrupted by an injury suffered on international duty, preventing him from reaching the heights many expected after his form at Brentford, where he became the first DR Congo player to score more than 10 goals in a Premier League season. “The truth is, I’m not the most talented guy,” he once admitted. “What pushes me forward is that I love working hard – and I guess I’m not doing too badly.” Loved by Congolese supporters, who affectionately nickname him “Kovo” (“the bald one”), Wissa will carry huge expectations heading into the World Cup.

“Boulot, palais.” (‘’Work, house’’ in Congolese-French slang), the phrase Mbemba used in an interview to describe his lifestyle has since become his nickname in DR Congo. It reflects the discipline that defines him. Previously dubbed “the Chancellor” or even “demi-God” by supporters, Mbemba commands immense respect in his country. With over 100 caps and the captain’s armband, he is the undisputed leader of the Leopards. Strong in one-on-one situations, comfortable on the ball and quite effective in front of goal – a reminder of his early days as a striker – he is the backbone of the team. Born into a poor family of eight children in Kinshasa, Mbemba is a rare success story in a country where thousands of talents go unnoticed every year due to a lack of structure. Trained in the country, then developed at Anderlecht, he built a solid European career, including a spell with Newcastle. His journey could have reached even greater heights were it not for long-standing doubts surrounding his age – a controversy that has followed him despite his consistency at the highest level.

No relation to Joris Kayembe, Edo was born in the Kasai region of central Congo where the surname is common. One of the few genuinely homegrown players in a squad largely built around the diaspora, Kayembe’s journey carries particular symbolic weight for Congolese supporters. “I’m very happy to have gone from my country to the Premier League in just five years. It’s a great challenge,” he said when signing for Watford in 2022. Quiet and reserved off the pitch, Kayembe transforms once the game starts. Hard-working and equipped with a fierce long shot, he has become one of Sébastien Desabre’s trusted midfield options. He may not be the most gifted player in the squad but his versatility, physical commitment and rise from the Congolese league to English football have earned widespread admiration.