It is a first-ever meeting between the two nations, with either co-hosts Mexico or Ecuador lying in wait in the last 16 at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on Sunday night.
They will likely face a tricky test from DR Congo, who are through to the World Cup knockouts for the first time on only their second finals outing and first since they previously appeared as Zaire in West Germany in 1974, where they went winless and lost 9-0 to Yugoslavia.
Sebastien Desabre’s side proved their quality by holding Portugal to an opening 1-1 draw in a tough-looking Group K – sealing a maiden World Cup point – and were only narrowly edged out by group winners Colombia 1-0 following a 3-1 come-from-behind victory against debutants Uzbekistan.
Date, kick-off time and venue
England vs DR Congo is scheduled for a 5pm BST kick-off on Wednesday July 1, 2026.
The match will take place at Atlanta Stadium (Mercedez-Benz Stadium) in Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Where to watch England vs DR Congo for FREE
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live and free-to-air on BBC One, with coverage starting at 4pm.
Live stream: UK viewers can also catch the contest live online via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog, featuring expert analysis from England correspondent Dom Smith at the ground.
Free highlights: World Cup highlights are available on FIFA’s official YouTube channel, along with the BBC iPlayer and ITVX app.
England vs DR Congo team news
Rice – who has also been managing nerve pain in his hamstring for several months – was also the only England player who would have been suspended, had he picked up a second yellow card of the tournament in the final game in Group L.
First-choice right-back Reece James also looks set to miss out again with his latest hamstring injury, while Tino Livramento flew home before the tournament started after sustaining a calf problem in training that has since required surgery and was replaced by a centre-back in Trevoh Chalobah.
Tuchel faces a key dilemma over who to field at right-back against DR Congo, with Djed Spence the only natural candidate.
Tuchel made five changes in total for the win over Panama, with Quansah, Nico O’Reilly, Morgan Rogers, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka replacing James, Spence, Rice, Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke.
Rice’s return will see Jude Bellingham pushed back forward to No10, with Rogers set to make way as the manager considers his best wing pairing to support captain Harry Kane.
Return: Declan Rice will be back in England’s midfield to face DR Congo in the World Cup round of 32
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Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
Defenders: Reece James, Trevoh Chalobah, Marc Guehi, Ezri Konsa, John Stones, Jarell Quansah, Nico O’Reilly, Dan Burn, Djed Spence
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Kobbie Mainoo, Eberechi Eze
Forwards: Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon
DR Congo are not believed to be dealing with any new injury concerns ahead of their first knockout match at the World Cup.
Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa is their star man and the Leopards’ squad features a number of other Premier League players past and present, including West Ham right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Sunderland pair Noah Sadiki and Arthur Masuaku, Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe, ex-Newcastle man Chancel Mbemba, Watford’s Edo Kayembe and former Chelsea winger Gael Kakuta.
Kilmarnock midfielder Aaron Tshibola – who replaced the injured Rocky Bushiri – is formerly of Reading and Aston Villa, while Real Betis striker Cedric Bakambu, now 35, needs just one more goal to equal the all-time national record.
Influential: Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa is the key threat for DR Congo
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Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo, Timothy Fayulu, Lionel Mpasi
Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika, Gedeon Kalulu, Steve Kapuadi, Joris Kayembe, Arthur Masuaku, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Midfielders: Theo Bongonda, Brian Cipenga, Gael Kakuta, Edo Kayembe, Nathanael Mbuku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Charles Pickel, Noah Sadiki, Aaron Tshibola
Forwards: Cedric Bakambu, Simon Banza, Fiston Mayele, Yoane Wissa, Meshack Elia
England vs DR Congo prediction
The Panama game was a difficult one to assess for England, with opinions largely divided on the performance until quick-fire second-half goals from Bellingham and Kane eased any lingering nerves.
While it was improved on a really sluggish and toothless display against Ghana, the Three Lions remained some way off their scintillating second half against Croatia.
Any win will do seems to be the mantra from Tuchel, whose side are likely to face another uncomfortable, nervy test in the round of 32 in Atlanta.
DR Congo had a long road to only their second World Cup as they toppled both Nigeria and Jamaica in tense play-off ties, but showed no signs of tiredness during an impressive showing in a difficult group as they frustrated Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, and pushed Colombia hard.
Expect them to make life very difficult indeed for England here, though for the favourites to narrowly prevail in the end – hopefully without the need for extra time or dreaded penalties.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
These two nations have never met previously in a senior men’s international.
England vs DR Congo match odds
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