Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo was in action for Cameroon on Thursday night as they took on DR Congo in a World Cup play-off
Amie Wilson
10:10, 14 Nov 2025
Bryan Mbeumo during a Manchester United match
View Image
Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo is set to miss out on the World Cup next year(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Manchester United's Bryan Mbeumo didn't hide his disappointment following Cameroon's unsuccessful bid to qualify for the World Cup.
The Indomitable Lions were in play-off action on Thursday evening, aware that only a victory would keep their hopes alive of participating in this summer's tournament in North America.
Mbeumo was part of Cameroon's starting line-up as they faced off against DR Congo in Morocco. The match remained deadlocked until the 91st minute.
It was then that former Newcastle United defender Chancel Mbemba managed to sneak in at the back post to score past United loanee Andre Onana, triggering jubilant celebrations from DR Congo and leaving the Cameroon players devastated.
This result means that DR Congo will now face Nigeria in the final, with the victors securing a spot in this summer's World Cup, reports the Manchester Evening News.
In the aftermath of Cameroon's defeat, Mbeumo's disappointment was palpable. Social media clips show the United forward visibly upset as he walked down the tunnel alone, pausing only briefly to exchange a quick handshake with a member of the coaching staff.
Mbeumo is now set to return to United and begin preparations for the Premier League match against Everton following the international break.
Don't miss a thing with football updates!
Want to be on the ball with all of the latest football news? Well then sign up for the brilliant Daily Star Football email newsletter!
From the latest transfer news to breaking stories, get it all in your email inbox.
How do you sign up?
It only takes a matter of seconds.
Simply click on this link, then provide your email address and that's it, job done. You'll receive an email with all of the top football stories.
You can also sign up for our sport email, Off the Ball, for all the latest darts, boxing, snooker, F1 stories and more, right here
The 26-year-old has been a standout performer for United this season, earning the Premier League Player of the Month award for October. In his last four Premier League matches, he has found the back of the net four times, including scoring the opening goal against Tottenham in United's most recent game.
While Cameroon and Mbeumo won't be participating in the World Cup, United face the prospect of losing their star player for the Africa Cup of Nations, which kicks off next month. The competition runs from December 21 to January 18, meaning he could potentially miss up to six Premier League fixtures.
The tournament will also see United lose Amad, who is set to represent the Ivory Coast.
"We are going to struggle a little bit, but we already knew it's going to be an opportunity," United boss manager Ruben Amorim said on missing both players. "When I watch the training, there are players that should be playing.
Article continues below
"But it's hard with one game to take some players from the team, because they are doing well also during the training in games. So other players are going to have the opportunity to help us.
"They are understanding the way we want to play, so if we are improving on that, the change of characteristics is not going to change the idea or the momentum of the team. But let's use Amad and Bryan in these games and we will see in general."