Yoane Wissa

Yoane Wissa wrote his name into DR Congo football history on 17 June 2026, heading in his country's first-ever FIFA World Cup goal against Portugal. Born in France of Congolese heritage, Wissa has long bridged two football cultures, representing the Leopards internationally while building a Premier League career. His equaliser against Portugal came from a Arthur Masuaku cross, met with a precise header into the top corner.

Wissa began his career at Châteauroux before joining Angers and then Lorient, where he helped win the 2019-20 Ligue 2 title. In August 2021 he joined Brentford for £8.5 million, becoming the club's record Premier League goalscorer with 19 top-flight goals in the 2024-25 season, surpassing Ivan Toney's previous mark. In September 2025 Newcastle United signed him for £50 million. He was part of DR Congo's squad that reached the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, earning a place in the Tournament's Team of the Tournament.

At 29, Wissa represents the generation of France-born Congolese players who chose to represent the country of their roots. DR Congo qualified for the 2026 World Cup for the first time since 1974, and Wissa's goal against Portugal gave The Nation a tangible mark in football's biggest stage.