Newcastle United striker, Yoane Wissa, has said that he and his teammates are always ready to fight for their country, the Democratic Republic of Congo even as they face England in the World Cup round of 32.

Wissa made the remarks on Saturday after the DR Congo became the latest underdogs to roar at the 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup, qualifying for the knockout rounds for the first time while Iran’s rollercoaster campaign ended in elimination.

A chaotic finale to the group phase saw Austria and Algeria fill the final two berths in the last 32 after battling to an extraordinary 3-3 draw in Group J, a result that dashed Iran’s hopes of advancing from their group.

A win for either Austria or Algeria would have allowed Iran to squeeze into the last 32, but Sasa Kalajdzic arrowed in a header in the sixth minute of injury time to snatch a draw for Austria and spark pandemonium in Kansas City.

It was the final act of another enthralling day at the tournament which saw DR Congo emulate fellow African minnows Cape Verde by reaching the knockouts following a 3-1 defeat of Uzbekistan.

DR Congo’s win in Atlanta, United States of America (USA), their first ever victory in a World Cup match was enough to secure third place in Group K, setting up a dream clash with England in the next round.

“We love our national team. We love what we represent. I think tonight we just showed what it means for us is just to fight no matter what,” said Wissa who scored a brace against Uzbekistan.

DR Congo’s progression into the last 32 continued a stunning World Cup for African sides, with only one of 10 countries from the continent, Tunisia failing to reach the knockout stage.

This record makes the African continent the major beneficiary of the expanded 48-team format for the FIFA World Cup.