Yoane Wissa just cemented himself as one of the breakout stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, earning the Man of the Match award for the Democratic Republic of Congo. The 29-year-old Newcastle United forward has been the beating heart of a national team making its first World Cup appearance in over half a century.
A historic campaign for the Leopards
DR Congo’s return to the World Cup finals came after a 52-year absence. On June 17, 2026, he scored the nation’s first-ever World Cup goal in a 1-1 draw against Portugal. He followed that up on June 27 with a converted penalty in DR Congo’s group-stage match against Uzbekistan. The result helped propel the Leopards into the knockout stage for the first time in the nation’s history.
Wissa transferred from Brentford to Newcastle United in a deal worth £55 million, completed on September 2, 2025. He was then named to DR Congo’s 26-man World Cup squad on May 19, 2026.
The memecoin that didn’t move
