Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been handed his maiden call-up to the DR Congo national team, as head coach Sébastien Desabre on Thursday unveiled a 26-man squad ahead of June friendlies against Mali and Madagascar.

The Leopards will take on Mali on June 5, followed by a clash with Madagascar on June 8. Both matches form part of the team’s preparations for two major upcoming tournaments — the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be staged in Morocco from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.

While the core of Desabre’s squad remains familiar, all eyes are on Wan-Bissaka, who makes his debut inclusion following a highly-anticipated switch of international allegiance. Born in London to Congolese parents, the 26-year-old full-back — now at West Ham United after a spell at Manchester United — has completed the process to officially change his sporting nationality from England to DR Congo.

His addition injects fresh quality and experience into DR Congo’s defensive setup. Known for his exceptional tackling and one-on-one defending, Wan-Bissaka’s arrival is seen as a major boost to the Leopards’ ambitions ahead of a busy international calendar.

DR Congo will be hoping to build on a promising trajectory, having reached the semi-finals of the 2023 AFCON earlier this year. With the likes of Cédric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa, and Chancel Mbemba continuing to form the squad’s spine, Wan-Bissaka’s inclusion marks a new chapter in Desabre’s long-term project.