DR Congo's World Cup Journey: How Yoane Wissa and the Leopards Are Uniting a Nation
DR Congo have reached the World Cup last 32 for the first time in 52 years and now face England. Brentford's Yoane Wissa has been central to their run, scoring twice against Uzbekistan.
DR Congo have made history at the 2026 World Cup, reaching the last 32 for the first time in 52 years — and they will do so against England. According to The Guardian, the Leopards’ journey through Group has caught the attention of the entire African continent and, more importantly, united a deeply divided nation back home.
Striking Brentford forward Yoane Wissa has been the catalyst. The 29-year-old netted twice in a decisive 3-1 win over Uzbekistan that sealed Congo’s place in the knockout phase, having earlier drawn with Portugal and lost narrowly to Colombia. When the England fixture was confirmed, Wissa was quick to put the achievement in context:
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