England and DR Congo face off in the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 1.
The Three Lions picked up seven points out of nine in the group stage. They topped Group L by beating Panama 2-0, thanks to second-half goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane. Meanwhile, Les Léopards qualified as the highest-ranked third-placed nation. They most notably held Portugal to a 1-1 draw before beating Uzbekistan 3-1 to qualify for a World Cup knockout game for the very first time in their history.
The winner of the tie will travel to the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City to face Mexico or Ecuador in the last 16.
England vs DR Congo
Team News
Jarell Quansah joined Reece James on the England treatment table with the ankle injury he picked up against Panama. Thomas Tuchel is optimistic that Quansah will recover and start running again soon, but the same cannot be said about the injury-riddled James. If Quansah doesn’t recover in time, Djed Spence will start at right-back.
Declan Rice was an unused substitute in the win over Panama as a precaution after taking a heavy blow to the calf in the goalless draw with Ghana. But Rice is expected to be available to start in Wednesday’s knockout fixture.
As for DR Congo, Sebastien Desabre has no injury concerns ahead of the big game. The French tactician could revert to the 5-3-2 shape he deployed against Portugal and Colombia after switching to a 4-4-2 against Uzbekistan.
England vs DR Congo
Predicted Lineups
Predicted England lineup (4-2-3-1): Jordan Pickford; Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Nico O’Reilly; Elliott Anderson, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford; Harry Kane
Predicted DR Congo lineup (5-3-2): Lionel Mpasi; Steve Kapuadi, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Noah Sadiki, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Arthur Masuaku; Cedric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa
England vs DR Congo
Odds
As per Kalshi, England are overwhelming favourites to end DR Congo’s fairytale run at the World Cup and progress into the round of 16. They have been handed a whopping 88% chance of winning while the African nation has a slim 12% chance of sending the Three Lions packing home early.
Harry Kane has led the England attack brilliantly with three goals in as many games, and he is backed at 53% to keep his goalscoring form intact. Behind Kane is Jude Bellingham, who has two goals and an assist in three outings. The creative midfielder has been handed 26% odds to find the back of the net.
For DR Congo, their main attacking threat is likely to come from Yoane Wissa. The Newcastle United striker is enjoying a fantastic World Cup with three goals, and he has a 12% chance to score against England.
England vs DR Congo
Prediction
Desabre will set up DR Congo in a compact low block, frustrate England and look to spring quick counter-attacks and set-pieces. They are well-drilled, disciplined and hard to penetrate, and if they can emulate the formula that they used against Portugal, England will be in for a big challenge. Bakambu and Wissa’s pace and physicality will ask questions of the shaky English defence.
Panama frustrated Tuchel’s side in the first half, but eventually, England’s class came out on top. The Three Lions are expected to dominate the ball and ultimately unlock the Congo backline. Players like Kane, Saka, Rice and Bellingham have to get in behind their defence to make Desabre’s side sweat.
