Noa goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu called up to DR Congo national team for 2026 World Cup playoffs

Armenian club Noa’s goalkeeper Timothy Fayulu has been called up to the DR Congo national team for the African playoff round, which will determine qualification for the intercontinental playoff of the 2026 World Cup.

In the first playoff match, DR Congo will face Cameroon on November 13.

In addition to Fayulu, three new players have been invited: goalkeeper Matthew Epolo (Standard Liège, Belgium), midfielder Mario Stroeykens (Anderlecht), and Michel-Ange Balikwisha (Celtic).

Fayulu joined Noa in the summer of 2025 on loan from Swiss club Sion and has played three matches for the Armenian side.

The 26-year-old goalkeeper has made one appearance for DR Congo but regularly receives national team call-ups.

To qualify for the 2026 World Cup, DR Congo must defeat Cameroon in the semifinal and then beat the winner of the Nigeria vs Gabon matchup in the final.

The winner of the African playoff will advance to the intercontinental playoff, which will feature one representative each from Asia, Africa, South America, and Oceania, along with two teams from North America.

As of now, the intercontinental playoff participants are:

• From Asia: winner of UAE vs Iraq

• From South America: Bolivia

• From Oceania: New Caledonia

• North American representatives will be determined later.