England vs Congo DR Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 32
England didn’t necessarily convince in the group stages of FIFA World Cup 2026 as The Three Lions now prepare to kick off their knockout stage against Congo DR in the Round of 32 in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
England preview: Patience needed
After a brilliant opening game in which England threatened to run riot in the second half against Croatia in Dallas, the English found themselves immensely frustrated in their next two group stage matches - albeit Thomas Tuchel’s side did manage to finish at the top of Group L.
Following on from a goalless draw against Carlos Queiroz’ Ghana in their second game in Boston, England were then held to that same scoreline at half-time against Panama. Goals from star men Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane did eventually get them a shaky three points in the second 45 minutes, though.
Congo DR preview: Solid Congolese
Congo DR fall into the category of a side that will perform in the exact same tactical way to Ghana and Panama but are perhaps a touch more efficient and impressive on the counter-attack, as they showed in a 1-1 draw with Portugal whereby they had just one fewer shot than the Portuguese despite having only 25% of the ball.
After that opening game, Congo DR then succumbed to a 1-0 defeat to Colombia in Group K before they came from behind to beat Uzbekistan by three goals to one to book their spot in the Round of 32.
England team news: Changing things again
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
Thomas Tuchel has made some surprise calls throughout his time in charge and more changes are expected here with Reece James again expected to be out with his replacement against Panama, Jarell Quansah, also forced off through injury. It may well be that John Stones comes back into the side with Ezri Konsa moving to right-back.
Declan Rice was protected against fitness concerns against Panama, as well as being on a yellow card from earlier in the group stages, while Elliot Anderson came through after some doubts ahead of that one. It wouldn’t be a shock to see further rotation on the wing either.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Konsa, Stones, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Gordon; Kane
Unavailable: James (Injured)
Questionable: Quansah (Injured), Rice (Fitness)
Congo DR team news: Change of system again
Further team news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
After playing with a back three against Colombia and Portugal, Congo DR became more proactive against the Uzbeks as they went to a 4-4-2 system - something they will likely move away from again and go back to the back three.
Steve Kapuadi will come back into the side at left centre-back with Sunderland midfielder Noah Sadiki expected to keep his spot in the middle of the park ahead of Watford’s Edo Kayembe.
Predicted XI (3-5-2): Mpasi; Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kapuadi; Wan-Bissaka, Sadiki, Moutoussamy, Mukau, Masuaku; Wissa, Bakambu
Unavailable:
Questionable:
England’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Jordan Pickford ($4.8m) – Goalkeeper
Jude Bellingham ($8.3m) – Midfielder
Harry Kane ($10.5m) – Forward
Matchday 4 captain pick: Harry Kane
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Harry Kane
Free kicks: Declan Rice
Corners: Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka
Congo DR’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Aaron Wan-Bissaka ($4.3m) – Defender
Axel Tuanzebe ($4.0m) – Defender
Yoane Wissa ($6.2m) – Forward
Matchday 4 captain pick: Yoane Wissa
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Yoane Wissa, Cedric Bakambu
Free kicks: Yoane Wissa
Corners: Arthur Masuaku
Key stats
- This is the first meeting between England and Congo DR.
- England have kept five clean sheets in their last seven FIFA World Cup matches.
- England have now progressed from the opening-round group stage in 13 of their last 14 FIFA World Cup participations.
- In England’s last match Jordan Pickford moved into outright second on England’s all‑time FIFA World Cup appearance list, following his 15th outing, leaving only Peter Shilton, on 17, ahead of him. Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford could move onto 15 in this fixture.
- Harry Kane is now England’s outright all-time top goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history with 11 goals, moving clear of Gary Lineker’s ten.
- This is the first time that Congo DR have qualified for the knockout phase of the global showpiece.
- Against Uzbekistan, Congo DR recorded their first-ever victory at the FIFA World Cup, in their sixth match in the competition.
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
England vs Congo DR prediction
England supporters will be very reasonably concerned that their manager, and assistant manager Anthony Barry, have talked about how basically limited England appear to be, and will be, against low blocks.
Congo DR would have come into this game expecting to play that way anyway but they will have been further emboldened to do so by England’s indifferent performances against Ghana and Panama.
While the Congolese may frustrate, and perhaps even worry England on the counter, it should be another hard-fought victory for the English as they grind their way deeper into this summer’s tournament.
England vs Congo DR betting tip: England to win to nil
