{"id":1349,"date":"2026-06-28T14:53:55","date_gmt":"2026-06-28T14:53:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/todayspredict.com\/blog\/?p=1349"},"modified":"2026-06-28T14:53:55","modified_gmt":"2026-06-28T14:53:55","slug":"england-vs-dr-congo-prediction-world-cup-2026-round-of-32","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/todayspredict.com\/blog\/2026\/06\/28\/england-vs-dr-congo-prediction-world-cup-2026-round-of-32\/","title":{"rendered":"England vs DR Congo Prediction: World Cup 2026 Round of 32"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>England vs DR Congo: Match Preview<\/h2>\n<p><strong>FIFA World Cup 2026 \u00b7 Round of 32<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA<\/p>\n<p>Wednesday, 1 July \u00b7 12:00 ET (16:00 GMT)<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>England<\/strong> (1st, Group L, 7 pts) vs <strong>DR Congo<\/strong> (3rd, Group K, best third-place qualifier, 4 pts) \u2014 knockout football. No draws, no group permutations, no second chances. The loser&#8217;s tournament ends here.<\/p>\n<h3>Intro<\/h3>\n<p>This is a meeting between one of the tournament favourites and one of its most remarkable stories. England, under Thomas Tuchel, topped Group L after a thumping 4-2 win over Croatia, a goalless draw with Ghana, and a controlled 2-0 win over Panama. DR Congo&#8217;s presence here is a story 52 years in the making \u2014 the country, playing as Zaire, last appeared at a World Cup in 1974, and only secured their return via a gruelling playoff route that included an extra-time win over Jamaica and a penalty shootout victory over Nigeria. They needed a dramatic finish in their own right to get here, coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 on the final matchday, with Yoane Wissa scoring twice to send DR Congo through as one of the eight best third-placed teams.<\/p>\n<h2>What&#8217;s at Stake<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Knockout Football<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>There is no group table to fall back on. Extra time and penalties follow if scores are level after 90 minutes \u2014 win by any means and advance to the Round of 16; lose and the tournament is over.<\/p>\n<p><strong>England<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Looking to continue what&#8217;s been a free-flowing campaign under Tuchel, with a potential Round of 16 tie against the winner of Mexico vs Ecuador awaiting in Mexico City. England haven&#8217;t won the World Cup since 1966, and this generation is under real pressure to go deep.<\/p>\n<p><strong>DR Congo<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Already the feel-good story of the tournament by simply being here after a 52-year absence, the Leopards now have the chance to write an even bigger chapter against one of the pre-tournament favourites.<\/p>\n<h2>The Tactical Battlefield<\/h2>\n<h3>\ud83c\udff4 England \u2014 Formation: 4-3-3<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Style:<\/strong> Fluid, possession-dominant, devastating in transition with elite individual quality across every line<\/li>\n<li><strong>Main Threat:<\/strong> Jude Bellingham&#8217;s all-action influence, Bukayo Saka&#8217;s directness, and Harry Kane&#8217;s movement and finishing up front<\/li>\n<li><strong>Vulnerability:<\/strong> Were held scoreless by a well-organised Ghana side, suggesting a compact, disciplined opponent can still cause problems even for England&#8217;s attacking depth<\/li>\n<li><strong>Key Duel:<\/strong> England&#8217;s front three vs a DR Congo defence built around Premier League experience in Chancel Mbemba and Aaron Wan-Bissaka<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde9 DR Congo \u2014 Formation: 4-2-3-1<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Style:<\/strong> Resilient, capable of coming from behind, with genuine goal threat through Wissa when given the platform to attack<\/li>\n<li><strong>Main Threat:<\/strong> Yoane Wissa&#8217;s clinical finishing, having scored twice in the win over Uzbekistan, supported by Cedric Bakambu&#8217;s experience up front<\/li>\n<li><strong>Vulnerability:<\/strong> Conceded first in their win over Uzbekistan and have shown defensive vulnerabilities against more talented opposition throughout the group stage<\/li>\n<li><strong>Key Duel:<\/strong> DR Congo&#8217;s back line vs England&#8217;s attacking quality \u2014 containing Bellingham, Saka, and Kane simultaneously is a different challenge to anything they&#8217;ve faced so far<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Five Players to Watch<\/h2>\n<p><strong>\ud83c\udff4 Jude Bellingham<\/strong> \u2014 England&#8217;s creative engine Described by his manager as the X-factor in England&#8217;s win over Panama, and the player most likely to unlock a well-organised DR Congo defence.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde9 Yoane Wissa<\/strong> \u2014 DR Congo&#8217;s match-winner Scored twice in the decisive win over Uzbekistan and remains the player most capable of giving DR Congo a route back into this game if they fall behind.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\ud83c\udff4 Harry Kane<\/strong> \u2014 England&#8217;s captain and lead striker The focal point of England&#8217;s attack throughout the group stage, with the quality to make the most of any half-chance against a defence under pressure.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde9 Chancel Mbemba<\/strong> \u2014 DR Congo&#8217;s defensive leader Brings Premier League-level experience to a back line facing its toughest test yet at this World Cup.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\ud83c\udff4 Bukayo Saka<\/strong> \u2014 England winger Offers width and directness that could stretch a DR Congo defence already shown to be vulnerable to sustained pressure.<\/p>\n<h2>Recent Form (Group Stage)<\/h2>\n<p><strong>\ud83c\udff4 England<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Opponent<\/th>\n<th>Score<\/th>\n<th>Result<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Croatia<\/td>\n<td>4\u20132<\/td>\n<td>W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Ghana<\/td>\n<td>0\u20130<\/td>\n<td>D<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Panama (away)<\/td>\n<td>0\u20132 (England win)<\/td>\n<td>W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><strong>\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde9 DR Congo<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Opponent<\/th>\n<th>Score<\/th>\n<th>Result<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Portugal (away)<\/td>\n<td>1\u20131<\/td>\n<td>D<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Colombia (away)<\/td>\n<td>0\u20131 (Colombia win)<\/td>\n<td>L<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Uzbekistan<\/td>\n<td>3\u20131<\/td>\n<td>W<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>Our Call<\/h2>\n<h3>England 2 \u2013 1 DR Congo<\/h3>\n<p>England&#8217;s individual quality and attacking depth should ultimately prove too much for a DR Congo side already exceeding all expectations simply by being here. The Leopards have shown they can compete and come from behind when needed, and Wissa&#8217;s current form makes a goal of their own a real possibility, but England&#8217;s class across the pitch points to a deserved if hard-fought win.<\/p>\n<h2>Betting Tips<\/h2>\n<p><strong>1. <a href=\"https:\/\/todayspredict.com\/home-win-predictions\">England to Win<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The clear favourites on individual quality and squad depth, even allowing for DR Congo&#8217;s proven resilience and ability to find goals when needed.<\/p>\n<p><strong>2. Jude Bellingham to Score or Assist<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>England&#8217;s most influential player throughout the group stage and the man most likely to be decisive in a tight contest.<\/p>\n<p><strong>3. Yoane Wissa to Score Anytime (Value Play)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In red-hot form after a brace against Uzbekistan, and the player most likely to give DR Congo something to cheer about against the odds.<\/p>\n<p><strong>4. <a href=\"https:\/\/todayspredict.com\/both-team-to-score-gg-btts\">Both Teams to Score<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>England&#8217;s draw with Ghana and DR Congo&#8217;s habit of conceding first throughout the group stage both point toward goals at either end of this contest.<\/p>\n<p><strong>5. England to Win &amp; Over 2.5 Goals<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>A composed England win with goals flowing at both ends fits both sides&#8217; recent patterns \u2014 England&#8217;s attacking quality and DR Congo&#8217;s tendency to be involved in high-event games.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Build a Bet Suggestion:<\/strong> England to Win &amp; Both Teams to Score &amp; Bellingham to Score or Assist \u2014 a combo backing the favourites while respecting DR Congo&#8217;s proven ability to find the net even in matches they ultimately lose.<\/p>\n<p><em>Odds are illustrative and for entertainment purposes. Always check the latest prices with your bookmaker before placing a bet, and gamble responsibly.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2>Stats Comparison<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th>Stat<\/th>\n<th>\ud83c\udff4 England<\/th>\n<th>\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde9 DR Congo<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Group<\/td>\n<td>L (1st)<\/td>\n<td>K (3rd, best third-place)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Points<\/td>\n<td>7<\/td>\n<td>4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Record (W-D-L)<\/td>\n<td>2-1-0 (unbeaten)<\/td>\n<td>1-1-1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Goals Scored<\/td>\n<td>6<\/td>\n<td>4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Goals Conceded<\/td>\n<td>2<\/td>\n<td>3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h3>Path Here<\/h3>\n<p><strong>\ud83c\udff4 England \u2014 Group L:<\/strong> Topped the group unbeaten on 7 points, finishing ahead of Croatia (2nd) and Ghana (3rd), with Panama eliminated as the tournament&#8217;s only team to fail to score.<\/p>\n<p><strong>\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde9 DR Congo \u2014 Group K:<\/strong> Finished 3rd on 4 points behind Colombia (1st) and Portugal (2nd), advancing as one of the eight best third-placed teams thanks to their final-day win over Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n<h2>Predicted Line-ups (4-3-3 \/ 4-2-3-1)<\/h2>\n<p><em>Based on squads named and recent selections. Subject to late changes.<\/em><\/p>\n<h3>\ud83c\udff4 England \u2014 Coach: Thomas Tuchel<\/h3>\n<p><strong>GK:<\/strong> Jordan Pickford<\/p>\n<p><strong>RB:<\/strong> Nico O&#8217;Reilly \u00b7 <strong>CB:<\/strong> Marc Gu\u00e9hi \u00b7 <strong>CB:<\/strong> Ezri Konsa \u00b7 <strong>LB:<\/strong> Djed Spence<\/p>\n<p><strong>CM:<\/strong> Elliot Anderson \u00b7 <strong>CM:<\/strong> Jude Bellingham<\/p>\n<p><strong>RW:<\/strong> Bukayo Saka \u00b7 <strong>AM:<\/strong> Morgan Rogers \u00b7 <strong>LW:<\/strong> Marcus Rashford<\/p>\n<p><strong>ST:<\/strong> Harry Kane (C)<\/p>\n<h3>\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde9 DR Congo \u2014 Coach: S\u00e9bastien Desabre<\/h3>\n<p><strong>GK:<\/strong> Lionel Mpasi<\/p>\n<p><strong>RB:<\/strong> Aaron Wan-Bissaka \u00b7 <strong>CB:<\/strong> Chancel Mbemba \u00b7 <strong>CB:<\/strong> Axel Tuanzebe \u00b7 <strong>LB:<\/strong> Arthur Masuaku<\/p>\n<p><strong>CM:<\/strong> Samuel Moutoussamy \u00b7 <strong>CM:<\/strong> Noah Sadiki<\/p>\n<p><strong>RW:<\/strong> Nathanael Mbuku \u00b7 <strong>AM:<\/strong> Gael Kakuta \u00b7 <strong>LW:<\/strong> Brian Cipenga<\/p>\n<p><strong>ST:<\/strong> Yoane Wissa<\/p>\n<h2>Head to Head History<\/h2>\n<p>England and DR Congo have no recorded competitive meetings at World Cup or other major international tournament level \u2014 Wednesday&#8217;s clash in Atlanta marks the first encounter between the two nations on the biggest stage. With no head-to-head precedent to draw from, England&#8217;s tournament pedigree and DR Congo&#8217;s remarkable 52-year journey back to the World Cup carry the full weight of the narrative heading into this Round of 32 fixture.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>England vs DR Congo: Match Preview FIFA World Cup 2026 \u00b7 Round of 32 Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA Wednesday, 1 July \u00b7 12:00 ET (16:00 GMT) &nbsp; England (1st, Group&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1350,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[30],"tags":[293,205],"class_list":["post-1349","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-article","tag-england-vs-dr-congo-prediction","tag-world-cup-2026"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.9 - 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