Thomas Tuchel’s men are set to take on a determined DR Congo side in the Round of 32.

England will begin their World Cup knockout campaign against DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday, marking their first real test beyond the group stages.

The Three Lions finished top of their group after victories over Croatia and Panama, and a draw against Ghana, which secured them a tie against one of the third-placed teams.

Their opponents, DR Congo, have proven a tough unit to crack — they drew 1-1 with Portugal, narrowly lost to Colombia, and claimed a crucial win over Uzbekistan to reach this stage.

England WIN - 2/7

Draw - 15/4

DR Congo WIN - 12/1

The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia — one of the host venues for the 2026 World Cup — will provide the stage for this encounter.

England have yet to fully convince at the tournament, often struggling to unlock compact defences, as seen in the matches against Ghana and Panama.

DR Congo are expected to adopt a similar strategy — maintaining a disciplined defensive structure while relying on the speed of Yoane Wissa to threaten on counter-attacks.

England’s attacking line will be familiar with several of their opponents’ defenders. Axel Tuanzebe, formerly of Manchester United and now at Burnley, teams up with West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Sunderland’s Arthur Masuaku to form a resolute backline for the African side.

They provide a well-organised defence that rarely concedes easily, meaning patience will again be key for England — a theme assistant coach Anthony Barry has repeatedly stressed during his half-time interviews in the previous two matches against Ghana and Panama.

Declan Rice’s return to the lineup is a welcome boost for England after missing the final group match, while Noni Madueke replaces Bukayo Saka in the starting XI.

The right-back position remains a concern following another injury setback for Reece James, which puts Djed Spence under the spotlight to perform effectively in that role.

Despite these challenges, England are still considered strong favourites due to the significant difference in squad depth and quality between the two teams.

In knockout football, the main objective is to progress, but Tuchel’s side will also aim for a more fluid and confident display ahead of a potential Round of 16 meeting with co-hosts Mexico at the iconic Estadio Azteca.

Nevertheless, DR Congo are unlikely to go down without a fight and could make life difficult for England before the final whistle.

Predicted score: England 1-0 DR Congo

Fans can watch the England vs DR Congo Round of 32 clash in the 2026 World Cup live and free of charge.

The match will be broadcast live on BBC One in the United Kingdom, FOX in the United States, and SBS in Australia.

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