Thomas Tuchel's England will face DR Congo in the World Cup last 32, following a group stage that saw both teams advance in dramatic fashion. The match is scheduled for July 15 at the Al Janoub Stadium in Al Wakrah, Qatar.
England's Group Stage Performance
England topped Group B with seven points, winning two matches and drawing one. Their campaign included a 2-0 victory over Iran, a 1-1 draw with the United States, and a 3-0 win against Wales. Harry Kane scored three goals in the group stage, while Marcus Rashford added two.
Tuchel, who took over as England manager in January 2026, has emphasized a possession-based style. "We've shown resilience and quality," Tuchel said. "But the knockout stage is a different challenge."
DR Congo's Journey
DR Congo finished second in Group H, behind Portugal, with four points. They defeated Ghana 2-1, drew 0-0 with Uruguay, and lost 3-1 to Portugal. Striker Cédric Bakambu scored two goals in the group stage.
Coach Sébastien Desabre praised his team's defensive organization. "We are underdogs, but we have belief," Desabre said. "England are favorites, but we have shown we can compete."
Head-to-Head and Key Stats
This is the first meeting between England and DR Congo in a World Cup. England have not lost to an African team in the World Cup since 2010 (vs. Algeria). DR Congo have never advanced past the round of 16.
According to Opta, England have a 72% chance of winning, with DR Congo at 12% and a draw at 16%. The match is expected to be physical, with DR Congo averaging 14 fouls per game in the group stage.
Impact and Expectations
A win for England would set up a quarterfinal against either France or Argentina. For DR Congo, a victory would be the biggest in their World Cup history. Tuchel warned against complacency: "We respect every opponent. DR Congo have fast attackers and a solid defense."
The match will be broadcast live on BBC One and ITV. Kickoff is at 8 p.m. local time (6 p.m. BST).
