Wissa Ruled Out Of DR Congo’s World Cup Qualifiers As Recovery Drags On
DR Congo’s hopes of sealing qualification for the 2026 World Cup have taken a hit following news that star forward Yoane Wissa will remain sidelined for longer than anticipated.
The Newcastle United striker, who joined from Brentford in a £45 million deal on deadline day, has yet to make his debut for the Magpies after suffering a knee injury during the Leopards’ 3–2 defeat to Senegal in September’s qualifiers.
Wissa has since missed six matches across all competitions, and Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has now confirmed that his recovery timeline has been extended.
“Yoane saw a specialist again yesterday for a check-up on his knee,” Howe explained ahead of Newcastle’s clash with Nottingham Forest.
“We probably think now it’ll be eight weeks rather than six (from the point of the injury). It’s no recurrence or problem, just slightly longer.”
The setback means the 29-year-old will play no part in DR Congo’s decisive qualifiers against Togo and Sudan in October, as coach Sébastien Desabre announced his 25-man squad without the influential attacker.
The Leopards sit second in Group B with 16 points, two behind Senegal, as they chase a return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974.
Their final fixtures, away to Togo on October 10 and at home to Sudan on October 14, will determine their fate.
Wissa’s absence leaves Desabre without one of his most dynamic forwards, but the team remains determined to finish the campaign strongly and keep their World Cup dream alive.
