Yoane Wissa enjoys his best moment in months amid Newcastle United nightmare

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa has reason to celebrate without even kicking a ball.

The 2025/26 season has been a disaster for the 29-year-old so far. His £55million move to Newcastle United was highly controversial, while he is yet to even prove his worth to his new employers.

Yoane Wissa’s knee injury has meant he is yet to make his Toon debut, while there is also the concern of the looming Africa Cup of Nations. That could result in him missing even more domestic football, although there have been suggestions that the DR Congo international could skip the tournament.

It would be surprising if Wissa opted to miss AFCON, and now an even bigger international tournament could be on the horizon.

• Who is Yoane Wissa? Newcastle United’s £55m Alexander Isak replacement

Yoane Wissa watches on as DR Congo keep World Cup dream alive

While Wissa has remained injured, his DR Congo teammates have been keeping their nation’s World Cup dream alive.

Having failed to finish top of their qualifying group, they still have a chance to go to the 2026 World Cup.

They are now set to take part in the inter-confederation playoffs in March, having advanced through the CAF playoffs after beating Cameroon and Nigeria during this international break.

After a goal from former Toon defender Chancel Mbemba got them past Cameroon, DR Congo then beat Nigeria in dramatic fashion. With the game ending in a 1-1 draw, the chance for both sides to continue their World Cup dream was decided on penalties.

Fortunately for Wissa, who was watching at home, it was DR Congo who triumphed. They won 4-3 on penalties, with Mbemba scoring the decisive spot kick.

Following the victory, Wissa wrote on his Instagram story: “A band indeed. I love you guys so much.”

Yoane Wissa will be fit in time for DR Congo’s next World Cup qualifier

Thanks to his teammates’ heroics, Wissa’s World Cup dream is still alive.

Fortunately for the Newcastle United number nine, he will be fit in time to help his country out when the next qualifiers come around.

DR Congo will play in the inter-confederation playoffs during the March 2026 international break, with the games set to take place in Mexico.

Six teams will take part, with Bolivia and New Caledonia involved alongside DR Congo. One of the other three teams will come from Asia, while the other two will be from the CONCACAF qualifying section.

Of the six nations involved, only one will advance to the 2026 World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico.

Wissa will be eager to ensure it is DR Congo, as he edges closer to returning to fitness. It has been reported that Wissa could be back against Everton on 29th November, with the Magpies hoping he can make the bench.