{"id":569584,"date":"2025-11-14T09:55:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T09:55:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/569584\/"},"modified":"2025-11-14T09:55:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T09:55:11","slug":"michel-ange-balikwisha-one-step-closer-to-world-cup-dream-but-made-to-wait-for-dr-congo-debut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/569584\/","title":{"rendered":"Michel Ange-Balikwisha one step closer to World Cup dream but made to wait for DR Congo debut"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Michel-Ange Balikwisha may not be enjoying much success at club level with Celtic right now, but he has a chance to be a part of history.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Balikwisha was called up to the DR Congo squad<\/a> for the first time after being granted permission to switch from his Belgian nationality.<\/p>\n

He was thrown straight into the lion\u2019s den with a 2026 World Cup<\/a> play-off semi-final against Cameroon on Thursday night.<\/p>\n

The winner of that tie would advance to the final to play Nigeria this Sunday for a place in the six-team intercontinental qualifier to determine the last two nations to qualify for the World Cup.<\/p>\n

\"Michel-AngePhoto by Ian MacNicol\/Getty ImagesDR Congo score last-minute winner against Cameroon<\/p>\n

DR Congo have been on the up of late and have recruited the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka to try and qualify for a first World Cup since 1974.<\/p>\n

They had the odds stacked against them, facing a Cameroon side with plenty of talent.<\/p>\n

However, as the clock ticked into second-half stoppage time, Chancel Mbemba rose the highest from a corner and headed home to send DR Congo to the play-off final.<\/p>\n

\n

CONGO DR STUN CAMEROON IN STOPPAGE TIME AND ADVANCE TO THE FINAL \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde9 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde9 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde9 <\/p>\n

THEY WILL FACE NIGERIA FOR A SPOT IN THE INTER-CONFEDERATION PLAYOFFS ON SUNDAY \u2694\ufe0f pic.twitter.com\/QFtNQhLDiO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

Unfortunately for Balikwisha<\/a>, he was made to watch from the substitute\u2019s bench, but will be hoping to make his debut against Nigeria.<\/p>\n

Michel-Ange Balikwisha set for Africa Cup of Nations bow<\/p>\n

It has been a long time coming for the 23-year-old to switch from Belgium to DR Congo, and his decision will now affect Celtic in the winter months.<\/p>\n

With the Africa Cup of Nations beginning in December, the Hoops are expected to lose Sebastian Tounekti<\/a> and potentially Kelechi Iheanacho<\/a>.<\/p>\n

By representing DR Congo, Balikwisha could also be called up for the tournament, which takes place between Sunday, 21 December 2025, to Sunday, 18 January 2026.<\/p>\n

This would mean missing the Glasgow derby<\/a> against Rangers, as well as weakening the number of wide options available in the side.<\/p>\n