West Ham United have lodged a formal complaint with FIFA after Aaron Wan-Bissaka missed their FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Leeds United, with the club alleging DR Congo refused to release him in time despite a scheduled flight back to London.
Wan-Bissaka, a right-back who switched his international allegiance from England to DR Congo, played all 120 minutes as the central African nation beat Jamaica in the intercontinental playoff final in Mexico, booking their place at the 2026 World Cup for the first time since 1974.
Following that win, Congolese authorities organised celebrations that ran well outside FIFA’s permitted window, including an official reception with President Félix Tshisekedi in Kinshasa, which prevented multiple players from returning to their clubs on time.
West Ham had made arrangements to get Wan-Bissaka back. According to The Athletic, Nuno Espirito Santo’s team had a flight scheduled for the defender, but the player did not board the plane.
The club contend that DR Congo held him back without their authorisation. FIFA regulations require players to return to their clubs within 48 hours of their final international fixture, a rule the Congolese Football Federation appears to have disregarded entirely.
The Congolese federation reportedly blocked all players from leaving until Monday, leaving West Ham without their £90,000-a-week defender for a match that decided whether they would reach a first FA Cup semi-final in 20 years.
The Hammers came back from 2-0 down to draw level in injury time, but ultimately lost 4-2 on penalties.
West Ham’s complaint will be examined by FIFA’s Player Status Committee or Disciplinary Committee, with any appeal route leading to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Wan-Bissaka has since returned to London and is expected to be available for selection going forward.
