West Ham United have lodged a formal complaint with FIFA after defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka failed to return from international duty in time for their FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Leeds United. The 28-year-old right-back helped DR Congo qualify for the World Cup by beating Jamaica 1-0 in Mexico on 31 March, but instead of flying back to London as scheduled, he travelled to Kinshasa for celebrations with the squad.
The Hammers had booked Wan-Bissaka a flight back to London and expected him to feature in Sunday's FA Cup tie at the London Stadium. However, he joined teammates including Cedric Bakambu, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe and former West Ham left-back Arthur Masuaku on a double-decker bus parade in the Congolese capital, organised by President Felix Tshisekedi to mark the country's first World Cup qualification since 1974.
According to The Athletic, West Ham did not give Wan-Bissaka permission to travel to DR Congo for the celebrations. The club lost the FA Cup quarter-final on penalties after scoring twice in added time to force extra time, with Kyle Walker-Peters filling in at right-back. Wan-Bissaka is now in contention to face Wolves in a crucial Premier League match on Friday.
Wan-Bissaka joined West Ham from Manchester United for £15 million in 2024 and was named the club's player of the year in his debut season. He has made 22 league appearances this term as the Hammers sit 18th in the table, one point behind Tottenham and in the relegation zone. DR Congo have been drawn in Group K for the World Cup alongside Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
