📅 July 01, 2026 | By Pulse India News Desk
| Match | England vs DR Congo |
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026™ – Round of 32 |
| Date | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 |
| Kickoff | 12:00 PM Local / 5:00 PM BST / 9:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta |
| England Coach | Thomas Tuchel |
| DR Congo Coach | Sébastien Desabre |
| Stage | First knockout round |
| Opta Projection | England 73.9% | Draw 14.8% | DR Congo 11.3% |
| Prediction | England 2-0 DR Congo |
England Heavy Favourites Against Disciplined DR Congo
England enter their FIFA World Cup 2026™ Round of 32 clash against DR Congo as heavy favourites. Thomas Tuchel’s side topped Group L with seven points, showing control, defensive discipline and enough attacking firepower to handle knockout pressure.
DR Congo, however, are capable of making this uncomfortable. Sébastien Desabre’s side held Portugal to a 1-1 draw, defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 and qualified from Group K with four points. Their compact defensive shape and the pace of Yoane Wissa give them a clear route to an upset.
- England topped Group L with seven points from three matches.
- DR Congo advanced as a third-placed team from Group K with four points.
- This is the first-ever competitive senior international match between England and DR Congo.
- England are dealing with a right-back issue, with Djed Spence expected to start.
- Declan Rice’s return gives England greater control and defensive screening.
- Yoane Wissa has scored three goals in the tournament and remains DR Congo’s biggest threat.
- The winner will face Mexico or Ecuador in the Round of 16.
📋 Projected Playing XIs & Formations
Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford
Defenders: Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, Nico O’Reilly
Central Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson
Attacking Midfielders: Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford
Forward: Harry Kane
Team Note: Thomas Tuchel is expected to use a balanced 4-2-3-1 built around Rice’s control, Bellingham’s creativity, Kane’s link-up play and wide speed from Saka and Rashford.
Goalkeeper: Lionel Mpasi
Defenders: Steve Kapuadi, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe
Midfielders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Noah Sadiki, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Arthur Masuaku
Forwards: Cédric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa
Team Note: DR Congo are expected to sit in a compact defensive back five, crowd the penalty area and attack quickly through Wissa and Bakambu whenever England lose possession.
📌 Formation View
🔎 Team Analysis
🧤 Goalkeeper
Jordan Pickford gives England elite tournament experience and reliable distribution from the back. His vocal leadership helps organize the defensive line, but concentration will be essential because DR Congo may only create chances through sudden counters.
🛡️ Defence
Marc Guéhi and Ezri Konsa offer mobility, composure and clean buildup passing. England’s biggest concern is at right-back, where Djed Spence is expected to start because of injuries to Reece James and Jarell Quansah. DR Congo will likely target this side.
⚙️ Midfield
Declan Rice provides defensive screening, ball recovery and transition control. Alongside him, Elliot Anderson adds energy and forward passing, allowing Jude Bellingham to receive in advanced central pockets and attack the box.
⚡ Attack
Harry Kane remains both a lethal finisher and a deep-lying playmaker. Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford give England pace and 1v1 threat on the wings, while Bellingham’s late runs can punish DR Congo’s low block.
🧤 Goalkeeper
Lionel Mpasi is a reactive shot-stopper who could be under heavy pressure. His biggest task will be commanding the penalty area against England’s set-pieces, crosses and physical aerial threat.
🛡️ Defence
DR Congo’s back line is anchored by Chancel Mbemba. With Axel Tuanzebe and Steve Kapuadi, the Leopards will look to block shots, stay narrow and protect central areas. The danger is that England’s intelligent movement can drag them out of shape.
⚙️ Midfield
Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Arthur Masuaku are likely to operate as defensive wing-backs, rarely pushing too high unless a counter-attack develops. The central trio of Mukau, Moutoussamy and Sadiki will focus on tackles, second balls and blocking central passing lanes.
⚡ Attack
Yoane Wissa is DR Congo’s key attacking outlet after scoring three goals in the tournament. His pace into the left channel can trouble England’s makeshift right side, while veteran forward Cédric Bakambu adds experience, movement and finishing support.
⚔️ Key Tactical Battle
| Area | England | DR Congo |
|---|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Pickford must stay alert against counters | Mpasi must survive England’s shot volume |
| Defence | Guéhi and Konsa must control Wissa and Bakambu | Mbemba and the back five must survive Kane’s movement |
| Midfield | Rice and Anderson must control second balls | Mukau, Moutoussamy and Sadiki must deny Bellingham central space |
| Attack | Kane, Saka, Rashford and Bellingham offer multiple routes to goal | Wissa and Bakambu bring transition danger |
| X-Factor | Bellingham between the lines | Wissa attacking England’s right channel |
⚠️ England’s Right Flank Weakness
1. Right-back injury problem: England are expected to use Djed Spence at right-back because of injuries to key defensive options. This makes England’s right side the obvious area for DR Congo to target.
2. Wissa’s channel runs: Yoane Wissa naturally drifts into the left channel, where he can isolate Spence in transition. His pace and direct running could create DR Congo’s best chances.
3. Masuaku overload: Arthur Masuaku can push from wing-back to create 2v1 situations. If Bukayo Saka does not track back, Spence could be left exposed.
4. Counter-attack trap: If Spence pushes too high to provide width, England may leave a large space behind him. DR Congo will look to attack that area immediately after turnovers.
⚔️ Tactical Matchup
England’s possession vs DR Congo’s low block: England will dominate the ball, but they must move it quickly enough to pull DR Congo out of their compact defensive shape.
Bellingham between the lines: DR Congo must stop Jude Bellingham from receiving behind midfield. If he turns freely, Kane and the wide attackers will get high-quality chances.
Kane’s movement: Harry Kane can drop deep to drag Mbemba out of position. That could create space for Rashford and Saka to attack behind.
DR Congo’s counter route: The Leopards will look to win the ball centrally and immediately release Wissa or Bakambu into the channels before England reset.
📊 Group Stage Results: How They Got Here
| Team | Match 1 | Match 2 | Match 3 | Group Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 4-2 vs Croatia | 0-0 vs Ghana | 2-0 vs Panama | 1st – Group L, 7 pts |
| DR Congo | 1-1 vs Portugal | 0-1 vs Colombia | 3-1 vs Uzbekistan | 3rd – Group K, 4 pts |
England: The Three Lions started with a 4-2 win over Croatia, were held by Ghana in a goalless draw and then secured top spot with a 2-0 win over Panama.
DR Congo: The Leopards opened with an impressive 1-1 draw against Portugal, lost narrowly to Colombia and then confirmed qualification with a strong 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan.
📈 Key Numbers
| Category | England | DR Congo |
|---|---|---|
| Group Stage Finish | 1st – Group L | 3rd – Group K |
| Group Stage Points | 7 | 4 |
| Group Stage Record | 2 Wins, 1 Draw, 0 Losses | 1 Win, 1 Draw, 1 Loss |
| Goals Scored | 6 | 4 |
| Goals Conceded | 2 | 3 |
| Main Strength | Attacking depth and midfield control | Compact defending and counters |
| Main Concern | Right-back vulnerability | Low chance volume |
| Key Player | Jude Bellingham | Yoane Wissa |
| Creative Spark | Bukayo Saka | Arthur Masuaku |
⚔️ Head-to-Head Record
This is the first-ever competitive senior international meeting between England and DR Congo.
England enter with greater tournament pedigree and squad depth, while DR Congo arrive with belief after already frustrating Portugal during the group stage.
⭐ Players To Watch
⭐ Harry Kane: England’s captain remains the central goal threat and can also drop deep to create chances.
⭐ Jude Bellingham: England’s key attacking midfielder, dangerous between the lines and inside the box.
⭐ Bukayo Saka: A major 1v1 threat who can stretch DR Congo’s left side.
⭐ Declan Rice: Crucial for controlling transitions and protecting England’s back line.
⭐ Yoane Wissa: DR Congo’s biggest weapon with three goals already in the tournament.
⭐ Chancel Mbemba: The defensive leader who must keep DR Congo organized under pressure.
⭐ Aaron Wan-Bissaka: His defensive instincts will be important against England’s wide attackers.
🧠 Opta Supercomputer & Expert Prediction
| Outcome | Probability |
|---|---|
| England win in regulation time | 73.9% |
| Draw / Extra time | 14.8% |
| DR Congo win in regulation time | 11.3% |
The analytical projection heavily favours England because of their group-stage control, attacking depth and stronger midfield. DR Congo have a disciplined structure and a clear counter-attacking outlet, but they may struggle to create enough chances over 90 minutes.
An England win is the most likely outcome, with a 2-0 scoreline fitting the tactical profile: patient pressure, second-half control and defensive discipline against counters.
🔮 Match Prediction
England should dominate possession, territory and chance creation. Their best route is to move the ball quickly, use Saka and Rashford to stretch the back five and allow Bellingham to attack central pockets behind DR Congo’s midfield.
DR Congo’s best hope is to defend compactly, slow the tempo and attack England’s right side through Wissa. If they can frustrate England for the first hour, pressure could build on Tuchel’s side. But over 90 minutes, England’s quality should be enough.
DR Congo have the discipline and counter-attacking speed to make England work, especially through Yoane Wissa. But England’s attacking depth, midfield control and set-piece threat make them strong favourites to progress.
Likely Winner: England
Key Battle: Djed Spence vs Yoane Wissa
Player To Watch: Jude Bellingham ⭐
Upset Route: DR Congo’s fast transitions into England’s right channel
FIFA World Cup 2026England vs DR CongoEnglandDR CongoRound of 32Harry KaneJude BellinghamBukayo SakaMarcus RashfordDeclan RiceYoane WissaChancel MbembaAaron Wan-BissakaThomas TuchelWorld Cup Preview
