- Aaron Wan-Bissaka returned late from international duty with DR Congo
- The defender missed West Ham’s FA Cup tie with Leeds United
- Wan-Bissaka will be availably on Friday
West Ham United lost to Leeds United on penalties in the FA Cup last Sunday. Whilst the Hammers put up a valiant effort, they were without a number of first team players, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
Wan-Bissaka had been with DR Congo, helping them to beat Jamaica in their World Cup qualifier, booking their place at this summer’s tournament. This was the first time the nation had qualified since 1974.
The 28-year-old would miss West Ham‘s game on Sunday but it was not because the club allowed it. According to The Athletic, Nuno Espirito Santo’s team had a flight scheduled for Wan-Bissaka but the player did not get on the plane.
The club are now saying that DR Congo held Wan-Bissaka back, stopping him from returning to West Ham, something they did not sanction. FIFA sanctions say players must return to their clubs within 48 hours of their last international game, something the player did not do.
A formal complaint against the football association of DR Congo has now been made to FIFA.
Wan-Bissaka and West Ham United’s survival fight
Wan-Bissaka has been with the Hammers since 2024, when he joined on a seven-year-deal from Manchester United. Since then, despite the changes of manager, the 28-year-old has been an ever-present in a Hammers shirt and that is no different this season.
In 2025/26, the defender has played 24 times, being a key part of Nuno’s defensive unit. West Ham need him to be back at full pace as they host Wolverhampton Wanderers on Friday.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s West Ham United Statistics
| Appearances | Goals | Assists |
| 24 | 0 | 2 |
A good result in that game could take the Irons out of the bottom three heading into Saturday. Every game is big for the club coming up but none more than a trip to Crystal Palace on the Monday following.
Palace are all but safe and Nuno’s team will certainly see it as a winnable game. Six points from the two games will go a long way to West Ham’s survival hopes.
