Credit: Imago

Richie Mills

Thu 12 March 2026 11:40, UK

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been called up to DR Congo’s squad amid a good spell of form for West Ham United.

Wan-Bissaka represented both England and DR Congo at youth level, with the right-back seemingly holding out for a Three Lions career instead.

However, due to competition for places, that England call for the senior side was never forthcoming, prompting the former Manchester United man to switch allegiances to DR Congo in 2025.

The 28-year-old has since played nine times for Les Leopards, with Wan-Bissaka getting his first taste of Africa Cup of Nations action, as DR Congo advanced to the knockout stages before losing to Algeria in the last-16.

Now, ahead of West Ham taking on Manchester City this weekend, it has been announced Wan-Bissaka is set to represent his country again during the March international break.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s growing importance at West Ham

DR Congo national team boss Sebastien Desabre has named Wan-Bissaka in his squad for their 2026 FIFA World Cup inter-confederation play-off final.

The West Ham ace is joined by Newcastle United’s Yoane Wissa as DR Congo prepare to face New Caledonia or Jamaica in Mexico on 31 March.

If they win that, Wan-Bissaka will be off to his first World Cup. For the time being, though, he will be focused on continuing his good recent form for West Ham.

In their crucial Premier League win at Fulham on 4 March, Wan-Bissaka was a brick wall at the back for Nuno Espirito Santo’s side.

Moreover, in the Premier League this season, Wan-Bissaka ranks at number one among right-backs for interceptions made per game at 1.85 and he’s second for crossing accuracy (43.2 per cent).

In his 22 outings for the Hammers this term, he has also provided three assists, two of which came in their agonising 3-2 defeat to rivals Chelsea on 31 January.

He has played a big role in West Ham losing just two of their last eight league games, along with four wins in that stretch. Right now, things are looking up for Wan-Bissaka in more ways than one.

West Ham back from the brink despite worrying concern

After West Ham’s 2-1 loss at home to fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest on 6 January, Nuno’s side looked down and out.

They looked devoid of creativity and any real attacking verve, plus, they were seven points from safety. But fast forward to the present and a lot has changed.

They are now level on points with 17th-placed Forest, the eight-point deficit to Leeds United is down to three, and Tottenham’s calamitous 2026 form has left them just a point clear of the relegation zone.

West Ham are the form team in the bottom half of the table and look primed to climb out of the drop zone in the coming matches.

However, even if they do stay up, West Ham admitted they will need to sell players after posting some worrying financial figures in February.

Indeed, West Ham revealed losses of £104million for the 2024-25 financial year, as they suffered from having fewer TV games, no European football, and a reduction in transfer revenue from player exits.

The mood is lifting around London Stadium but things are still not well at West Ham.