England begin their World Cup knockout campaign on Wednesday evening against DR Congo at Atlanta stadium, with a place in the round of 16 against Mexico on the line.
Thomas Tuchel’s side topped Group L after a campaign that sparked as many questions as it answered — an opening 4–2 victory over Croatia, giving way to a goalless stalemate with Ghana, and a unconvincing 2–0 defeat of Panama.
The Three Lions have already been held by African opposition at this tournament and know better than to underestimate a DR Congo side who drew with Portugal, ran Colombia close and came from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3–1 in their group. It is the first meeting between the two nations.
England vs DR Congo – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 1 July 2026
- Kick-off: 17:00 BST
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)
Team news
England
England’s injury situation at right back has become a genuine crisis. Reece James missed the Panama game with a hamstring problem and is almost certain not to feature again at this tournament. Jarell Quansah, who deputised before picking up an ankle injury against Panama, is a doubt — Tuchel described his condition as “a matter of days”, but his involvement here is not guaranteed.
Djed Spence is therefore the most natural right-back option available. Declan Rice is expected to return to the starting lineup, having been rested for Panama to manage a calf issue, as he is fit to start. Bukayo Saka continues to manage an Achilles problem but is expected to start on the right flank.
DR Congo
Sébastien Desabre is expected to revert to the 5-3-2 system used in the group stage, having switched to a back four for the must-win Uzbekistan match. Yoane Wissa, who scored three of DR Congo’s four group-stage goals, leads the attack alongside Cédric Bakambu.
Four of the projected back five have strong Premier League connections — Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba and Arthur Masuaku — giving the side a familiarity with the English game that could prove useful. Noah Sadiki of Sunderland operates in midfield. No injury concerns have been reported for Desabre’s squad.
Form
England
Tuchel’s side have shown flashes of quality without sustaining the level required to fully reassure supporters. The 4–2 win over Croatia on matchday one — featuring a Kane brace, goals from Rashford and Bellingham — was the high point.
The Ghana stalemate that followed set an unwanted World Cup record: England registered 78.8% possession without scoring, the highest possession figure without a goal in tournament history.
The Panama win restored some confidence, but a tepid first half preceded the goals that confirmed top spot. England are unbeaten in eleven competitive matches under Tuchel, a record bettered only by Ron Greenwood and Roy Hodgson in their respective tenures.
DR Congo
Desabre’s side have been the tournament’s most impressive third-place qualifier and possibly its most pleasant surprise. A resilient draw with Portugal on matchday one — coming from behind to level — was followed by a narrow defeat to Colombia.
Their defining performance came against Uzbekistan, when they trailed inside ten minutes but produced a second-half comeback of real quality, Wissa scoring twice and Fiston Mayele adding a third. Competing as DR Congo for the first time at a World Cup, having appeared as Zaire in 1974, the Leopards have made the knockout rounds for the first time in their history.
Predicted lineups
England predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane
DR Congo predicted XI (5-3-2): Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Kapuadi, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Kayembe; Bakambu, Wissa
How to watch England vs DR Congo?
The match will be broadcast live in the United Kingdom on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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