England begin the knockout phase of the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a Round of 32 meeting against DR Congo at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, aiming to continue their unbeaten tournament campaign.
Thomas Tuchel’s side topped Group L without suffering defeat, while DR Congo reached the knockout rounds as the highest-ranked third-placed team after an impressive finish to the group stage. Although England enter as favorites, the African side has already shown they are capable of causing problems against elite opposition.
Match Details
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
|---|---|
| Match | England vs DR Congo |
| Stage | Round of 32 |
| Venue | Mercedes-Benz Stadium |
| Date | July 2, 2026 |
| Kickoff | TBA |
England Target Another Deep World Cup Run
England progressed through the group stage unbeaten, collecting seven points to finish at the top of Group L.
The Three Lions improved as the tournament progressed, defeating Croatia and Panama before securing first place with a comfortable win in their final group match.
Harry Kane has once again led the attack with authority, while Jude Bellingham continues to influence games from midfield. Despite occasional inconsistency, England remain one of the strongest squads left in the competition.
England World Cup Form
🟢 W | 🟡 D | 🟢 W
England Form (All Competitions)
🔴 L | 🟢 W | 🟢 W | 🟢 W | 🟡 D | 🟢 W
DR Congo Ready to Challenge
DR Congo have already exceeded expectations by reaching the knockout stage for the first time under their current national identity.
After drawing with Portugal and narrowly losing to Colombia, Sébastien Desabre’s side produced an impressive comeback victory over Uzbekistan to secure qualification.
The Leopards have relied on defensive organization and quick counterattacks, with Yoane Wissa emerging as one of their standout performers.
DR Congo World Cup Form
🟡 D | 🔴 L | 🟢 W
DR Congo Form (All Competitions)
🟢 W | 🟡 D | 🔴 L | 🟡 D | 🔴 L | 🟢 W
Team News
England remain without Reece James, while Jarell Quansah is also expected to miss the match through injury.
Djed Spence is likely to continue at right-back, with Harry Kane leading the attack alongside Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford.
DR Congo have no major injury concerns and could switch back to a more defensive formation, with captain Chancel Mbemba expected to marshal the back line.
Predicted Lineups
England Predicted XI
Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane
DR Congo Predicted XI
Mpasi-Nzau; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Kapuadi, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Kayembe; Wissa, Bakambu
Key Players to Watch
Harry Kane (England)
England’s captain remains their biggest attacking weapon. His finishing, experience and leadership often make the difference in high-pressure knockout matches.
Yoane Wissa (DR Congo)
Wissa has been directly involved in several important goals during the tournament and will be the Leopards’ main attacking threat on the counterattack.
Head-to-Head
This will be the first official meeting between England and DR Congo.
While England have vast experience in World Cup knockout football, DR Congo enter the match with confidence after making history by reaching this stage of the competition.
Match Prediction
England should dominate possession and create the majority of the chances, but DR Congo have proven they are extremely difficult to break down.
The African side’s disciplined defending could frustrate the Three Lions for long periods, yet England’s individual quality in the final third should eventually prove decisive.
Predicted Score
England 2-0 DR Congo
Predicted Result
✅ England Win
Final Verdict
England possess the experience, squad depth and attacking quality needed to progress into the next round, even if DR Congo are expected to make the contest highly competitive.
Expect a disciplined defensive display from the Leopards, but the Three Lions should have enough firepower to secure another victory and continue their journey toward the latter stages of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Final Prediction: 🔥 England 2-0 DR Congo
