West Ham's Aaron Wan-Bissaka receives first DR Congo international call-up
West Ham United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been named in the latest 26-player DR Congo squad.
Wan-Bissaka, who is English-born and of Congolese descent, played for England up to under 21 level and DR Congo's Under-20 side.
The Athletic reported in November 2023 that Wan-Bissaka had been approached to represent DR Congo at last year's Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
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Wan-Bissaka received his first England call-up under Gareth Southgate in September 2019, but left the camp after suffering a back injury and never made an appearance at senior level for the nation.
The right-back, who joined West Ham from Manchester United last summer, must switch international allegiance as he is not included in FIFA's latest list of players to change national sides.
The 27-year-old will be involved in DR Congo's squad for the friendlies against Mali on June 5 and Madagascar three days later, which are in preparation for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers and the 2025 AFCON taking place in Morocco in December.
DR Congo — whose last World Cup appearance came in 1974 under its former name Zaire — currently lead Group B of the African section for the World Cup qualifiers with Sebastien Desabre's side one point ahead of Senegal after six matches.
DR Congo host Senegal in a key match in September, either side of visits to South Sudan and Togo, before concluding their campaign at home to Sudan on October 13.
DR Congo have been drawn to play Benin, Botswana and Senegal in the AFCON group stages.
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