Anthony Elanga and Yoan Wissa hit the ground running at the 2026 World Cup, scoring 5 goals in total. Newcastle are keeping their eyes on the team hoping to improve their performance next season. After the first year, there were obstacles in both adjustment and injuries.
Newcastle's two forwards, Anthony Elanga (Sweden) and Yoan Wissa (DR Congo), showed their potential in the 2026 World Cup. Until it looks like the pair shone with their former clubs Nottingham Forest and Brentford, with the two of them scoring a combined 5 goals in this tournament, equal to the number they scored together in their first season with Newcastle last season. This raises the question of how much confidence from the world stage can be carried back to Tyneside.
Elanga's Sweden ended their journey in the round of 32 after losing 3-0 to France, but the speedy striker still received praise for his personal performance, with former Sweden team-mate and Newcastle player Emil Kraft saying of Elanga: “He's the kind of player who can change games,” Elanga showed during his time at Forest, but in his first year at Newcastle he took time to adapt to the detailed system. Even after a full pre-season, however, there is still a chance to see potential. Both the pairing at the Nou Camp in the knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League, as well as using speed to cause problems for the Liverpool and Barcelona defenses in home games, even when teammates couldn't finish from his crosses. However, the overall picture still lacks continuity. Especially when facing a team that defends deep. In addition, during the transfer period, the price was around 55 million pounds, there were heavy moments that had to be learned.
However, Elanga was not about to give up. A close source revealed that “He couldn't allow himself to fail. Anthony's second season will be different. He already knew what to expect. and better understand what the team manager wants.”
Wissa has had a difficult start to his first season at Newcastle after pushing for a transfer from Brentford for a fee close to £55 million, causing a stumbling pre-season. Before suffering a knee injury while serving with the DR Congo national team, he rushed to return to the field to help the team. Until the form loses rhythm Missed many important opportunities and was attacked by frequent programs because he could not practice fully
But when it came to the World Cup Wissa looks noticeably sharper and fitter. He scored DR Congo's first historic goal on the World Cup stage with a header in a 1-1 draw with Portugal. Despite missing some opportunities in the game against Uzbekistan, he later scored a double and won the Man of the Match award, leading the team to a 3-1 win and advancing to the knockout round of the World Cup for the first time in history. In the round of 32, Wissa hit the post against England, missing a golden opportunity to take a 2-0 lead before the team lost in the end. Still, it was a memorable tournament for him. Wissa admitted during the tournament that "I haven't shown my best side with Newcastle yet, but I know my time will come."
Elanga and Vissa's fresh form at the 2026 World Cup gives Newcastle reason to hope that the new season could see the attacking duo continue to elevate their performances from the big stage to the club.
