Newcastle United news: Yoane Wissa and Anthony Elanga are heading to the World Cup - but Sandro Tonali isnt’.
Yoane Wissa will be heading to the World Cup in North America this summer after helping DR Congo qualify.
It comes after Nigeria’s complaint to FIFA about DR Congo fielding ineligible players in their November play-off match was scrapped, allowing DR Congo to compete in the intercontinental play-off against Jamaica.
The Nigerian Football Federation argued DR Congo internationals Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe had not relinquished their British passports as required under Congolese law, which does not recognise dual citizenship.
DR Congo ended up winning the play-off match 1-0 against Jamaica, with Wissa starting the match.
It marks a strong international turnaround for the 29-year-old after he saw his Newcastle debut delayed by three months after he suffered a serious knee injury while away on international duty with DR Congo in September.
Wissa ended up returning to fitness ahead of the African Cup of Nations in December but a decision was made to keep the player at Newcastle to work on his fitness and make an impact at club level, something he has struggled to do so far.
An agreement was made between the player, club and DR Congo to allow Wissa to stay on Tyneside with the view of him being involved and ready for the crucial World Cup play-off match.
While Newcastle haven’t massively benefitted from the decision, it has paid off for DR Congo as they secured a spot at the World Cup for the first time since 1974.
Anthony Elanga boost
Elsewhere, Anthony Elanga will also be heading to the World Cup as Sweden qualified through the back door despite not winning any qualifying matches.
Sweden’s standing in the Nations League awarded them a play-off spot, which they took full advantage of. Elanga opened the scoring in a 3-2 win over Poland to confirm their spot in this summer’s tournament.
Sandro Tonali blow
Sandro Tonali’s wait to represent Italy at a major international tournament continues after the four-time world champions were denied a place at the World Cup once again.
Tonali played a key role in setting up a World Cup play-off match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Tuesday with a goal and an assist in the semi-final play-off against Northern Ireland last week.
The Newcastle United midfielder played 120 minutes for Italy, the majority of which were with 10 men following Alessandro Bastoni’s red card. Italy held out for penalties and Tonali converted his spot kick but it wasn’t enough as Bosnia won the shootout to confirm their place at this summer’s tournament.
It’s the third successive World Cup Italy has missed out on, a record for a former winner of the tournament. Since winning the 2006 final in Germany, Italy have not played a World Cup knockout round match.
And having missed Euro 2024 due to his betting ban, Tonali is yet to play in a major tournament for his country.
There was also penalty disappointment for William Osula and Denmark, who lost out on a place at the World Cup to Czechia. Osula was an unused substitute in the match as he waits for his first senior international cap.
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