World Cup 2026: England vs DR Congo Round of 32 preview - Statement victory needed for Three Lions

England topped Group L of the World Cup 2026 following the 2-0 victory over Panama on Saturday, June 27, ensuring they would be favourably placed as a third-placed team in the first knockout round. 

However, Thomas Tuchel’s side failed to respond convincingly to the stalemate against Ghana, delivering yet another underwhelming attacking performance. 

English fans were hoping for a result similar to the 6-1 demolition of Panama in 2018, but their team failed to assert their superiority early on, as they had to wait until the 62nd minute for star man Jude Bellingham to break the deadlock from a corner, with the inevitable Harry Kane heading home five minutes later.

In facing DR Congo, England are presented with another opportunity to prove themselves as a force to be reckoned with, if they can defeat their respective lesser opposition resoundingly. 

Sports News Blitz’s Johnny Jones looks ahead to England’s knockout showdown, and how the Three Lions can address supporters’ concerns. 

Defensive injuries stacking up for Tuchel 

Following Reece James’ injury, which will keep him out of action until the latter stages of the tournament, if England are to reach them, Tuchel opted to start Jarell Quansah in his place.

Quansah’s role was something between that of a right-back and right-sided centre-back, with Nico O’Reilly given more licence to foray forward from the left flank. 

Quansah was forced off with an injury in the 63rd minute, being replaced by Djed Spence, as England switched to a more traditional back-four shortly after taking the lead. 

The German head coach has said the length of the Bayer Leverkusen defender’s injury is “a matter of days,” but it will be a “tight race” to see whether he is fit enough to face Congo in Atlanta. 

If he is unavailable, Tuchel will likely choose between Spence and John Stones, which will in turn decide England’s defensive shape - he may be inclined to reintroduce Stones to start with a back-three, and allow for a more, aggressive, attack-minded approach. 

In any case, Ezri Konsa and Marc Guehi are nailed on to keep their starting spots, with the former taking up the role Quansah did against Panama, if Stones is to start. 

More possible change

Declan Rice is likely to return to the fore. He was omitted from the starting 11 against Panama due to a lack of fitness, and the risk of his receiving his second booking of the tournament, meaning he would have been suspended for England’s first knockout game. 

This would mean Morgan Rogers returning to the bench and his fellow West Midlander, Bellingham, retaking his advanced midfield role.

MORE FOR YOU: Soccer opinion: What's next for West Ham? Ownership changes, transfers and more

Time for Kane and Bellingham’s team-mates to step up

Concerns have been raised surrounding the contributions of England’s attackers, with Kane and Bellingham having scored five out of the team’s six goals at the tournament thus far. 

The widemen have failed to provide the threat he would have been hoping for - despite Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford being heavily involved in their first starts of the campaign, they lacked edge in the final third. 

In fact, the most effective instance of English wing-play came from Bellingham, when he found himself on the left to deliver an on-point cross for Kane to head home from close range. 

Tuchel’s wingers are desperately lacking unpredictability in one-on-one situations, boasting a measly three successful dribbles between them against Panama. 

They may struggle to find any more luck against the Congolese defence, especially whoever it is to start on the left, as they will be facing West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back, who notoriously specialises in one-on-one defensive situations. 

England are also showing an increasing reliance on set pieces as a route to goal, with half of their goals in the three group games resulting from dead ball situations.

This could act as something of a get-out-of-jail card if they continue to find themselves out of sorts in open play.

ALSO ON SNB: F1 news: Five takeaways from Ferrari’s Austrian Grand Prix as progress tempered by frustration

DR Congo no pushover 

With England already having failed to comfortably brush aside weaker opposition in the tournament, it would be no surprise if they find themselves repeatedly nullified on Wednesday, July 1. 

DR Congo’s coach, Sebastian Desabre, has built his side’s identity around defensive solidity, keeping 29 clean sheets in 56 games prior to the tournament. 

They have shown their ability to contend with the world’s big dogs, coming from behind to earn a point in a 1-1 draw with Portugal in their opener.

Tuchel’s team will have another low block to break down, something that has proved challenging thus far, given the lack of variety in his attacking solutions.

Congo pose a threat on the break, with the likes of Cedric Bakambu and, of course, Yoane Wissa both boasting experience in Europe’s top leagues.

Their pace in behind could be problematic for England with their high line and array of defensive absences. 

It may be the case that Tuchel’s World Cup plan does not revolve around getting the better of teams such as DR Congo, but they should not prove to be a serious obstacle if England are to go all the way.

READ NEXT: World Cup 2026 analysis: Why Lionel Messi's World Cup record almost didn't happen