England vs DR Congo Preview
England have controlled matches at the 2026 World Cup and are likely to dominate possession and chances against DR Congo. Harry Kane struck his third tournament goal in the comfortable win over Panama and can score again in this knockout clash.
10 Goals in 7 for Harry Kane
- England have won 4 of their last 5 matches.
- England have kept a clean sheet in their last 2 games.
- England’s Harry Kane has scored 10 goals in his last 7 for club and country.
H2H
This will be the first-ever meeting between England and DR Congo.
England Have Dominated Recent Matches
Thomas Tuchel’s England are on a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions, scoring 10 and conceding two. Harry Kane has scored four goals in that streak.
The European team started their 2026 World Cup campaign with a 4-2 win against Croatia and a 0-0 draw with Ghana. England had 4.57 total XG across those two matches.
The Three Lions finished top of Group L with a 2-0 win against Panama on Saturday. Jude Bellingham opened the scoring and Kane added a second as England controlled the game with 1.57-0.66 XG.
DR Congo Struggling for Form
DR Congo are winless in five of their previous six matches and have failed to score in three of those games.
The Leopards drew 0-0 with Denmark and lost 2-1 against Chile in their 2026 World Cup warm-up matches.
The African side started Group K with a 1-1 stalemate against Portugal and a 1-0 defeat to Colombia. DR Congo had less than 1 XG in both matches and faced 27 total shots.
Sebastien Desabre’s outfit advanced to the World Cup knockouts for the first time following a 3-1 win against Uzbekistan. The Leopards conceded after 10 minutes before Yoane Wissa and Fiston Mayele scored.
Predicted Starting Lineups & Team News
England (4-2-3-1): Jordan Pickford; Nico O’Reilly, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guehi, Djed Spence; Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford; Harry Kane
Midfielder Declan Rice is likely to return after missing the Panama game due to a leg injury.
Defenders Reece James and Jarell Quansah are injury doubts. Thomas Tuchel was unsure about the pair’s fitness ahead of the DR Congo game.
The England manager said, "Naturally, of course [I am worried about right-back] - we have another injury in the position.
"It will be a tight race for Reece James and a tight race for Jarell Quansah, but it is our job to find solutions and we will do."
DR Congo (4-4-2): Lionel Mpasi-Nzau; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku; Nathanael Mbuku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Noah Sadiki, Brian Cipenga; Cedric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa
DR Congo have no injuries or suspensions.
Forward Yoane Wissa is expected to start after scoring three goals in three World Cup appearances.