STAR WORLD CUP PREVIEW Weds: England v DR Congo

England take on DR Congo in the World Cup round-of-32 on Wednesday in Atlanta, writes JOE CITRONE.

England eased to the top of Group L, though performances have been patchy. DR Congo scrapped through as one of the best third-placed sides, reaching a first-ever World Cup knockout game.

Looks routine for the Three Lions on paper, but Germany’s exit to Paraguay shows it’s not always as simple as that.

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England v DR Congo
FIFA World Cup Round of 32
17:00 Atlanta BBC One

HEAD-TO-HEAD
First ever meeting between the two nations.

ENGLAND
JUN 2026 WORLD CUP England 2-0 Panama
JUN 2026 WORLD CUP England 0-0 Ghana
JUN 2026 WORLD CUP England 4-2 Croatia
JUN 2026 FRIENDLY England 3-0 Costa Rica
JUN 2026 FRIENDLY England 1-0 New Zealand

DR CONGO
JUN 2026 WORLD CUP DR Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan
JUN 2026 WORLD CUP DR Congo 0-1 Colombia
JUN 2026 WORLD CUP Portugal 1-1 DR Congo
MAR 2026 WC PLAYOFF DR Congo 1-0 Jamaica
NOV 2025 CAF PLAYOFF Nigeria 1-1 DR Congo

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With no previous history between the two, this is uncharted territory, but England’s class on paper should tell against a Congo side who’ve yet to keep a clean sheet at this tournament.

England have injury concerns of their own though, with Reece James again missing through a hamstring problem and his replacement Jarell Quansah now also sidelined after going off against Panama. That leaves Tuchel’s defence looking patched together, and Congo, with pace on the counter through Yoane Wissa and a goal in every game so far, could be dangerous if they nick an opener.

This could be cagey, though, which is why I really like the look of England and under 2.5 goals.

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