After topping Group L with a 2-0 win over Panama, England now enter the winner-takes-all phase of the tournament, and they remain one of the favourites in the World Cup futures markets.
While Thomas Tuchel’s side haven’t quite hit the heights of their opening 4-2 win over Croatia, they have proven defensively resolute, keeping clean sheets in 12 of their last 13 competitive games. They face a Leopards side that proved their resilience in the groups, holding Portugal to a draw and battling past Uzbekistan to qualify as the best-ranked third-placed team.
For DR Congo, this is uncharted territory. Having not played in the finals since their 1974 appearance as Zaire, they are playing with nothing to lose. Sebastien Desabre’s team has shown tactical flexibility, switching between a five-man defensive wall and a 4-4-2, and they will likely look to frustrate an England side that has occasionally struggled to unlock compact, disciplined defensive shapes.
Team news and lineups
England
Thomas Tuchel has major selection headaches in the defensive third. Jarell Quansah is a doubt after twisting his ankle against Panama, and with Reece James still sidelined by his ongoing hamstring issue, Djed Spence is the only natural fit at right-back.
The biggest positive is the return of Declan Rice, who was rested against Panama to manage a calf issue. His return should push Jude Bellingham back into the No. 10 role, giving England more creative punch in the final third.
Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford are expected to hold their places on the flanks as Tuchel looks for the consistency that has been missing since the group opener.
- England predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane
DR Congo
The Leopards have a clean bill of health and will likely revert to the 5-3-2 formation that frustrated both Portugal and Colombia earlier in the tournament.
Chancel Mbemba remains the bedrock of their defence, while the pace of Yoane Wissa on the counter-attack represents their primary threat to an England backline that hasn't been tested much in transition.
Veteran striker Cedric Bakambu is expected to lead the line alongside Wissa, with the team looking to exploit any gaps England leave while pushing forward.
- DR Congo predicted lineup (5-3-2): Mpasi-Nzau; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Kapuadi, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Kayembe; Wissa, Bakambu
England vs DR Congo preview
This historic first-ever meeting between the two nations in Atlanta promises to be a classic contrast of styles. For all the noise around England’s ‘second-game syndrome’ and their stuttering displays in Group L, the Three Lions remain heavy favourites to progress, but this won’t be the cakewalk the group standings might suggest.
DR Congo enter uncharted territory, having reached the World Cup knockouts for the first time since 1974 when they competed as Zaire.
Sebastien Desabre’s side haven't just made up the numbers; they’ve proven their tactical mettle by holding Portugal to a draw and pushing Colombia all the way, all while relying on a rigid, disciplined defensive wall that has only conceded once against top-tier opposition.
England enter the tie with lingering questions over their creative spark. Tuchel’s rotating cast of wingers hasn't yet found a consistent rhythm, and the recurring right-back crisis, with Reece James and Jarell Quansah both sidelined, means Djed Spence will likely be tasked with providing the necessary width.
The pressure will inevitably fall on Jude Bellingham to act as the creative pivot. The 23-year-old has been the undisputed standout for England so far, relishing the No. 10 role and producing the decisive contributions against both Croatia and Panama when the team needed a lift.
DR Congo will almost certainly look to copy the blueprint that frustrated England in the group stage, parking a 5-3-2 defensive shell to clog the midfield and deny Harry Kane any room to turn. Their biggest threat, however, is Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa.
With three of his nation's four tournament goals and nine shots registered in the group stage, Wissa is a different animal when the ball is turned over. He will be the primary outlet for the Leopards to exploit the space behind England’s high defensive line.
While the goals may not flow as freely as they did against Croatia, England’s ability to keep clean sheets — 12 in their last 13 competitive games — means they don't necessarily need a vintage attacking performance to survive. Expect a tense, nervy affair where patience is the order of the day. Again.
If Bellingham and Kane can produce one moment of individual brilliance to break the Leopards' resistance, England should have the discipline to see it out.
England vs DR Congo picks and predictions
- Best value bet: England -1.5 Asian handicap at 1.84 (Pinnacle) tipped by MLS Value
- Correct Score punt: England to win 2-0 at 9/2 (5.50)