England and Congo DR face off in the round of 32 of the World Cup 2026. The match kicks off on Wednesday, 1 July at 5 PM (BST) at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
This is a historic moment for the Congo DR, which is making its first appearance in the knockout stages after a 52-year absence from the tournament. England comes into the game as favourites, but the African side has already shown its resilience by holding Portugal to a draw.
Find out where to watch the match and what our expert predictions are, as well as the expected lineups for today’s encounter.
Match Overview - England vs. Congo DR
- England enters the World Cup knockout stage with high expectations after a strong group performance. The Three Lions have won 16 of their last 21 matches, aiming for a quarter-final spot.
- Congo DR makes history by reaching the knockout phase for the first time in 52 years. Their disciplined play, including a draw against Portugal, makes them a formidable opponent.
- This round of 32 fixture marks the first competitive encounter between these two nations, adding an element of surprise. A single knockout game promises a fascinating contest.
Head-to-Head Record
- This will be the first-ever competitive meeting between England and Congo DR.
- England remain unbeaten in the World Cup 2026, with two wins and one draw so far.
- The Three Lions have scored an average of two goals per game in the tournament.
- Congo DR have kept a clean sheet in three of their last seven matches across all competitions.
- England: Harry Kane is the team’s top scorer in the competition with three goals in three games.
- Congo DR: Yoane Wissa has been on fire, scoring three of his team’s four goals.
England's road to the knockouts
England enters the World Cup knockout stages unbeaten, showing strong momentum in the group phase with wins over Croatia and Panama, plus a draw with Ghana. This performance extends their excellent record of 16 wins in the last 21 matches.
The Three Lions’ attack has been potent, scoring five goals in three tournament games. Harry Kane leads with three goals, and Jude Bellingham has added two. Defensively, they have been solid, conceding only two goals.
Injury concerns loom for England ahead of the Congo DR game, with James, Livramento, and Quansah unavailable. Nevertheless, the team’s overall strong form prepares them well for this knockout fixture.
Congo DR's Historic Run
Congo DR emerged as the tournament’s surprise, making their first World Cup knockout stage appearance in 52 years. They displayed resilience in the group stage, drawing 1-1 with Portugal. Their progression was secured with a decisive 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan.
Their success builds on defensive solidity, a consistent feature of their recent matches. Furthermore, they threaten on the counter, with Yoane Wissa proving highly effective. He has netted three goals in his three World Cup games.
With a fully fit squad and no reported injuries, Congo DR is well-prepared. This strong organisation, combined with Wissa’s attacking edge, positions them to challenge in this historic fixture.
England vs. Congo DR Prediction: Three Lions to secure comfortable win
England’s attack has been a standout feature, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham leading the charge. Expect the Three Lions to apply early pressure on their opponents, making a goal in the first half a strong possibility.
While Congo DR has been defensively organised, containing an in-form Harry Kane presents a massive challenge. The England captain already has three goals in the tournament and is a prime candidate to find the back of the net.
Ultimately, England’s superior quality and knockout stage experience should prove decisive against the tournament debutants. Therefore, our main prediction is for England to win by at least a two-goal margin, covering the "-1.5 Asian Handicap" market.
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| Over/Under | Over 0.5 goals in the first half | |
| Goalscorer | Harry Kane to score anytime | |
The odds mentioned were collected during the writing of this prediction and may change. Always check with the bookmaker for the latest information.
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| Over/Under | Over 0.5 goals in the first half | |
| Goalscorer | Harry Kane to score anytime | |
Where to Watch England vs. Congo DR
Here’s where you can watch England vs. Congo DR live:
- TV: BBC Sport (Gbr), BBC One, ITV 1 (Gbr), STV (Gbr), ITV X (Gbr)
- Streaming: BBC iPlayer, STV Player (Gbr), BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), BBC Sport app (Gbr)
England vs. Congo DR Predicted Lineups
As this crucial World Cup 2026 knockout fixture approaches, Congo DR’s manager benefits from a fully-fit squad, allowing for tactical flexibility, while England faces some injury concerns. The probable England lineup suggests a strategy focused on controlling the match from the start, blending midfield creativity with attacking power. In response, the expected Congo DR lineup appears well-balanced, aiming to create a solid foundation to counter their opponents effectively. These selections will be key to determining which side gains the upper hand in this highly anticipated encounter.
England
Pickford; Guehi, Konsa, O’Reilly, Spence; Anderson, Rice, Bellingham, Saka, Rashford; Kane.
Manager: Thomas Tuchel.
Congo DR
Mpasi; Kapuadi, Masuaku, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Wan-Bissaka; Mbuku, Moutoussamy, Sadiki; Bakambu, Wissa.
Manager: Sébastien Desabre.
Match Details
Here are the match details:
- Match: England vs. Congo DR
- Competition: World Cup 2026
- Date: 01/07/2026
- Kick-off: 5 PM (BST)
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, United States
- Broadcast: STV Player (Gbr), ITV X (Gbr), BBC One, BBC Sport (Gbr), BBC iPlayer, BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), ITV 1 (Gbr), BBC Sport app (Gbr), STV (Gbr)
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