Michel-Ange Balikwisha has been omitted from DR Congo’s squad for this summer’s World Cup despite formally committing his international future to the nation earlier in the campaign.
The Hoops winger – who previously represented Belgium at youth level – completed the switch in allegiance after discussions with DR Congo manager Sebastien Desabre, but his lack of involvement at Celtic appears to have cost him a place in the tournament squad.
Balikwisha arrived in Glasgow last summer in a deal worth around £4.5 million, signing a long-term contract after being heavily pursued by Celtic for more than a year.
However, his move to the Scottish champions has failed to develop as expected, with the 24-year-old struggling badly for opportunities.
The Belgian-born attacker has made only three starts since joining the Scottish champions and has not featured competitively since a Scottish Cup tie against West of Scotland Premier Division side Auchinleck Talbot back in January.
His limited game time ultimately led to his exclusion from the national setup ahead of the World Cup.
That omission comes despite Balikwisha previously playing an important role in DR Congo’s qualification campaign. He converted one of the side’s penalties in the decisive shootout victory over Nigeria last summer and was also part of the squad at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, featuring in all but one of their matches.
Players selected ahead of him include Hibernian defender Rocky Bushiri and Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa, who is reportedly valued at around £50 million.
Celtic had initially considered signing Balikwisha in 2024 before concerns over an untimely injury delayed any move.
The club eventually completed the transfer during the closing stages of last summer’s transfer window following their disappointing Champions League qualifying exit to Kairat Almaty.
Brendan Rodgers immediately handed the winger a debut start in the goalless draw against Rangers at Ibrox, where he played 65 minutes. However, that outing remains one of only three starts he has managed for the Hoops.
The transfer has increasingly come under scrutiny, with criticism directed at multiple levels. Questions have been raised over Rodgers’ reluctance to use a player identified as a clear recruitment target, while the signing has also reflected poorly on the club’s wider transfer strategy.
Balikwisha himself has struggled to impress in his limited appearances, failing to establish any momentum during a frustrating first season in Scotland.
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