England vs DR Congo

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England Edges Past DR Congo in Tense Round of 32 Clash at FIFA World Cup 2026

Atlanta, USA – In a highly anticipated FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 encounter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, England secured a narrow 2-1 victory over a resilient DR Congo side. The match, played on July 1, 2026, saw England come from behind with two late goals from captain Harry Kane to avoid a potential upset.

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This Round of 32 fixture marked the first-ever meeting between England and DR Congo in international football. England, under the guidance of coach Thomas Tuchel, entered the knockout stages as strong contenders, having showcased a dominant qualifying campaign where they won all their UEFA preliminary matches without conceding a single goal. They continued their solid form in the group stage of the World Cup, topping Group L with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, a goalless draw against Ghana, and a comfortable 2-0 win over Panama. Their attacking prowess, led by captain Harry Kane, and the midfield dynamism of Jude Bellingham, were expected to be key. However, concerns lingered over a hamstring injury to Reece James, ruling him out of the Round of 32 tie.

DR Congo, making their historic return to the World Cup stage for the first time since 1974, qualified for the tournament by overcoming Jamaica 1-0 in an inter-confederation play-off, with Axel Tuanzebe scoring the decisive extra-time goal. Under coach Sebastien Desabre, the Leopards progressed to the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams, notably securing a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan in their group stage. Their journey to the knockouts was seen as a significant achievement, fueled by a determined squad led by captain Chancel Mbemba.

Team News

England:

Manager Thomas Tuchel had a wealth of talent at his disposal, though the absence of Reece James due to injury was a notable setback. The squad boasted experienced campaigners like captain Harry Kane, whose goal-scoring ability is paramount, and the midfield maestro Jude Bellingham. Other key players included Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, Marcus Rashford, and Anthony Gordon, providing both attacking flair and defensive solidity. England's defensive record in qualification and their controlled performances in the group stage highlighted their organized approach.

DR Congo:

Sebastien Desabre's 26-man squad for the World Cup featured a mix of seasoned professionals and emerging talents. Captain Chancel Mbemba, a formidable defender, was the undeniable leader on the pitch. Upfront, Yoane Wissa and Fiston Mayele provided the attacking threat, with Wissa having scored crucial goals in the group stage. The inclusion of defenders Axel Tuanzebe and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who switched allegiances from England, added strength and experience to their backline. Midfielders like Gael Kakuta were also expected to play a vital role in their attacking transitions. The team's qualification via a dramatic play-off victory instilled a strong sense of belief and resilience within the squad.

Predictions

Prior to the match, England were widely considered favorites due to their strong qualifying run, high-profile players, and consistent performances in major tournaments. Their ability to control games and the prolific scoring of Harry Kane were expected to be decisive. DR Congo, however, had demonstrated their fighting spirit and ability to spring surprises, particularly with their historic qualification and progression from a challenging group. While an upset was not entirely out of the question given the unpredictable nature of knockout football, England's superior squad depth and experience were tipped to see them through, albeit potentially after a hard-fought contest.

Actual Result: As predicted to be a challenging encounter, England ultimately defeated DR Congo 2-1 in the Round of 32. DR Congo initially took a shock lead through Brian Cipenga in the seventh minute. However, two goals from England's captain Harry Kane in the 75th and 86th minutes secured the victory for the Three Lions. Axel Tuanzebe of DR Congo later admitted his team was "kicking ourselves" for not capitalizing on their strong first-half performance and missed opportunities. England's victory propelled them into the Round of 16.