There are exactly 15 days left until the playoffs begin, which will determine the final six spots for the 2026 World Cup. In the same FIFA international window, the representatives from the European playoffs and the rest of the world will be decided.

And while two weeks remain until these fixtures are played, some national teams have already begun to reveal their squads for the matches that will seal the World Cup fate of the respective sides. One of them is the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Congolese side is the only African representative in the playoffs and dreams of reaching the World Cup alongside the continent's teams that have already qualified: South Africa, Morocco, Ivory Coast, Tunisia, Egypt, Cape Verde, Senegal, Algeria, and Ghana. DR Congo, managed by Frenchman Sebastien Desabre, already has its playoff squad, as the roster was officially announced on Tuesday.

Among the surprising names in the Congolese national team, a familiar face from the last decade in the Premier League appears, one who was even bought by Manchester United for a fortune. Specifically, the player in question is Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Born in London and formed at Crystal Palace, the right-back was acquired by United in 2019 for $64 million, one of the most expensive transfers in English history for a defender.

After a handful of unremarkable seasons, with 190 games for the Red Devils, Wan-Bissaka was sold to West Ham for $20 million in 2024. Yes, he was sold by Manchester United for a price three times lower than what they had paid years earlier.

And despite having played three matches for the England under-21 team and two for the under-20s, Wan-Bissaka received his Congolese nationality in 2025 and began representing the African side in the final stage of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.

Between the qualifying competition and the Africa Cup of Nations, the fullback already has nine appearances for DR Congo. The 10th will be the most important of all, as he will play against the winner of the New Caledonia-Jamaica match in the first phase of the rest-of-the-world playoffs.

If they defeat the Oceanians or the Reggae Boyz, they will reach the next World Cup and be placed in Group K, which currently comprises Portugal, Colombia, and Uzbekistan.

As a result of his decision to switch national teams, Aaron Wan-Bissaka will go, in a few short years, from being relegated by Manchester United and sold for a bargain, to fighting for a place in the World Cup with a different team than the one from his birthplace.

Roundtablesports is Free to join! You can post your own thoughts, comment on articles, and start conversations with our Roundtable Writers. 

Download the FREE Roundtable APP, and get even easier access to your favorite teams and news!