England will face DR Congo in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 1 in Atlanta at 7 pm (EAT), with both teams looking to secure a place in the last 16 after contrasting group stage campaigns.
The winner of this match will face Mexico on July 6 in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
England and DR Congo have not met in a competitive international match before.
This will be their first-ever meeting at senior level, adding another layer of unpredictability to the encounter.
Road to Round of 32
Both teams arrived at the knockout stage through contrasting paths.
England topped Group L with seven points after winning two matches and drawing one.
The Three Lions opened their campaign with a 4-2 victory over Croatia on June 17, with Harry Kane scoring twice while Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford were also on target.
They followed that with a goalless draw against Ghana in a tightly contested match on June 23, before sealing their place at the top of the group with a 2-0 win over Panama on June 27.
Bellingham and Kane scored in the second half to ensure a comfortable finish.
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DR Congo, on the other hand, qualified as one of the best third-placed teams from Group K after collecting four points.
The Leopards began with a 1-1 draw against Portugal, a result that proved crucial in their qualification push.
They then suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia, leaving their fate hanging by a thread in the final group game.
In a must-win encounter, DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 to secure progression, registering their first-ever World Cup win in the process.
It marks DR Congo’s first appearance in a World Cup knockout match, while England are seeking to build momentum after a solid but not entirely convincing group stage.
How to Watch
The match will be broadcast live on official FIFA World Cup broadcast partners across Africa, Europe and the Americas.
In Kenya and much of Sub-Saharan Africa, SuperSport (available on DStv and GOtv) remains the primary broadcaster of the tournament.
SuperSport has confirmed it will air all 104 matches live, alongside highlights, analysis, and repeat broadcasts on the football channels.
In addition to satellite broadcasts, subscribers will also be able to stream matches via DStv Stream and the SuperSport digital app.
The Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) will air the 2026 FIFA World Cup live and free to millions of Kenyans after the government approved funding to secure the broadcast rights.
Likely Line-ups, Matchday Tactics, and Players to Watch
Under coach Thomas Tuchel, England have shown a flexible approach, rotating heavily while maintaining a strong attacking structure.
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The team relies on midfield control through Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham, with wide players providing support to captain Harry Kane, who remains the focal point in attack.
England’s biggest strength is depth and control in midfield, but their system depends on breaking down compact defenses.
This was evident in their draw against Ghana and their narrow control against Panama.
They are expected to dominate possession and push their full-backs high, creating space for attacking players to operate between the lines.
Much of the focus will be on Harry Kane, whose finishing and movement make him the primary attacking outlet.
Jude Bellingham will also be key to linking the midfield to the attack and controlling the tempo of the game.
DR Congo coach Sébastien Desabre has built his side around discipline and structure.
The team has remained competitive against stronger opponents by staying compact and organized, particularly in midfield and defence.
Yoane Wissa remains the main attacking threat after emerging as the team’s top performer in the group stage.
His pace and positioning will be critical in counterattacking situations.
Alongside him, Cedric Bakambu provides attacking experience and will be relied upon in decisive moments, particularly if DR Congo create few chances.
Likely Line-ups
England (4-2-3-1):
Pickford
Spence, Konsa, Guéhi, O’Reilly
Rice, Anderson
Saka, Bellingham, Rashford
Kane
DR Congo (5-3-2):
Mpasi
Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Kapuadi, Masuaku
Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Kayembe
Wissa, Bakambu
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