Key Facts
- England advances to the Round of 32 as group winner; DR Congo secured its place in the tournament with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.
- England’s 2-0 win over Panama was controlled but hard-fought; Bellingham scored and set up Kane’s record-breaking header.
- England’s defensive control supports a “Both Teams to Score: No” bet: four shutouts in their last five matches make it less likely they’ll concede goals.
- DR Congo showed periods of compact play in their 1-1 draw against Portugal and 0-0 draw against Denmark, but they concede goals often enough to create pressure situations.
- A halftime draw or DR Congo leading at halftime is a strong possibility, as DR Congo has drawn four consecutive first halves.
- England’s right side of defense remains a concern because Jarell Quansah’s injury and Reece James’ setback make Djed Spence the obvious replacement.
Harry Kane’s latest World Cup milestone is making big headlines for England ahead of Wednesday’s Round of 32 match, but not everything is running smoothly under Thomas Tuchel just yet. The 2-0 win over Panama secured the group title, but it took patience, Jude Bellingham’s intervention, and a much stronger second half before the match was truly settled. The DR Congo, under Sébastien Desabre, arrives with renewed energy, as their 3-1 win over Uzbekistan kept them alive in the tournament. The team has shown enough tactical maturity to trouble even stronger opponents, including in their 1-1 draw with Portugal.
- Date and time: July 1, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
- Competition: World Cup (Round of 32)
The betting market sees England as the clear favorite, which is understandable, but the better bets lie in the expected course of the match. Both teams to score: “No” aligns with England’s four clean sheets in five matches, while DR Congo’s slow first halves suggest a draw or DR Congo leading at halftime.
England Form & Record Check
England’s most recent result, a 2-0 win over Panama, was more professional than convincing. Bellingham scored after the break and then set up Kane, whose header moved him past Gary Lineker to become England’s all-time leading men’s World Cup goalscorer. The concern is with their rhythm, as the first half was a grind, and Tuchel’s team once again needed time to turn possession into real pressure on the field. Across all competitions, England has won four of its last five games and drawn one, so the overall picture looks solid.
The 0-0 draw against Ghana exposed a lack of cutting edge, while the 4-2 victory over Croatia showed the level this offense can reach when it clicks. The recent clean sheets against Panama, Costa Rica, New Zealand, and Ghana underscore why defensive control remains their strongest selling point for betting purposes. The question of the likely starting lineup revolves less around star power and more around balance. Declan Rice could be key to restoring structure, while Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Morgan Rogers, and Harry Kane give Tuchel multiple options for building attacks. Interestingly, outside observers are primarily focused on whether England can appear less one-dimensional before the draw pairs them with a significantly tougher opponent.
England is likely to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, with Jordan Pickford in goal behind Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, and Nico O’Reilly. The issue at right back is particularly significant following Jarell Quansah’s reported injury and the setback with Reece James, making Djed Spence the obvious replacement. Declan Rice and Elliot Anderson are expected to anchor the midfield.
DR Congo Form & Record Check
DR Congo’s 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan was their defining moment in the group stage, especially after falling behind early. Yoane Wissa converted a penalty, Fiston Mayele came off the bench to score, and Wissa added another late goal off an assist from Meschack Elia. It wasn’t a flawless performance, but it showed that the bench and the offense can change the momentum of a game. Their recent form across all competitions has been mixed, with one win, two draws, and two losses in their last five matches. The 0–1 loss to Colombia was close, the 1–1 draw against Portugal was a clear statement, and the 0–0 draw against Denmark suggested that this team can defend in compact formations for long stretches. The recurring problem is that they often concede enough goals to invite pressure. Desabre’s team has repeatedly kept first halves close, and that counts against an England team that hasn’t always started games smoothly. Nathanaël Mbuku was also denied a fine finish by VAR against Uzbekistan—a reminder that the DR Congo can be dangerous, even if the scoreboard doesn’t immediately reflect it. Nevertheless, the real test will be maintaining that threat against England’s defensive control.
DR Congo is likely to line up in a 5-3-2 formation, though this remains a possible lineup and not a confirmed one. Lionel Mpasi-Nzau – 1 is expected to start in goal, with Axel Tuanzebe – 4, Chancel Mbemba – 22, and Steve Kapuadi – 3 forming the central defensive block in front of him. Ngal’ayel Mukau – 6, Noah Sadiki – 14, and Samuel Moutoussamy – 8 could support Cédric Bakambu – 17 and Yoane Wissa – 20. No injuries have been reported, so no forced substitutions are expected.
England – DR Congo Head-to-Head & Statistics
Head-to-head matches between these teams are not recorded in our data.
