# England vs DR Congo Match Preview, Prediction, Timings, Lineups, Teams, and How to Watch — FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32

URL: https://technosports.co.in/england-vs-dr-congo-match-preview/  
Published: 2026-06-30  
Updated: 2026-06-30  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

England topped Group L with a confident 2-0 win over Panama — but Thomas Tuchel’s side knows the real tournament starts now. Their reward? A Round of 32 clash against a DR Congo side that pulled off a dramatic late comeback to even earn this spot. Don’t sleep on this one.

## England vs DR Congo Match Details-

| Detail | Info |
| --- | --- |
| **Match** | England vs DR Congo |
| **Round** | FIFA World Cup 2026 — Round of 32 |
| **Date** | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 |
| **Kick-off (ET)** | 12:00 PM ET / Noon |
| **Kick-off (BST/UK)** | 5:00 PM BST |
| **Kick-off (IST)** | 9:30 PM IST |
| **Venue** | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, USA |
| **How to Watch (UK)** | BBC One / ITV |
| **How to Watch (USA)** | Fox Sports |
| **How to Watch (India)** | JioHotstar / Sports18 |

## Team Form & Preview

**England** finished top of Group L but haven’t exactly been breathtaking. Harry Kane became England’s all-time World Cup scorer (70 goals) against Panama, while Jude Bellingham pulled the strings in midfield. The issues? A lack of cutting edge and some concerning defensive wobbles in earlier games.

**DR Congo**, ranked 45th by FIFA, sneaked through Group K in dramatic fashion — Yoane Wissa converted a second-half penalty and grabbed a second to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan. Fiston Mayele’s goal added the cherry on top. They’re dangerous, physical, and motivated.

> As [ESPN reported](https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/49202639/england-face-democratic-republic-congo-world-cup-round-32), DR Congo’s place in the Round of 32 came down to a tense final-group-game decider — they earned it the hard way.
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> ![England vs DR Congo](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/enegge.webp)

## Predicted Lineups

**England (4-2-3-1)** Pickford | Alexander-Arnold, Stones, Guehi, Trippier | Rice, Gallagher | Saka, Bellingham, Foden | Kane

**DR Congo (4-3-3)** Epolo | Bolenge, Mbemba, Ngadeu, Bela | Tshimanga, Lokilo, Pickel | Makabi, Wissa, Mayele

## Prediction

England should have enough quality to progress, but this won’t be a stroll. DR Congo’s pace on the break and Wissa’s clinical form make them a genuine threat on the counter.

**Prediction: England 3-1 DR Congo** *(NBC Sports also backs England 3-1)*

## England’s Road Ahead

If England win, they face the Mexico vs Ecuador winner in the Round of 16 in Mexico City (July 6). After that, potential quarter-final opponents Brazil, a semi-final against Argentina, and a final against Spain or France await — a route that reads like a footballing fantasy.

For more World Cup 2026 coverage, check out our [FIFA World Cup 2026 hub on TechnoSports](https://technosports.co.in) and our [latest football predictions and previews](https://technosports.co.in/football).

Broadcasting varies by region. Here’s a quick guide:

| Region | Broadcaster |
| --- | --- |
| **India** | JioTV, Sports18 |
| **UK** | ITV / BBC |
| **Australia** | Optus Sport |
| **USA** | Fox Sports, Telemundo |
| **Turkey** | TRT Sport |

## FAQs

### **Q: What time does England vs DR Congo kick off in India?**

 The match kicks off at **9:30 PM IST** on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, and is available to watch live on JioHotstar and Sports18.

### **Q: Has England ever played DR Congo at a World Cup before?**

 No — this is the **first-ever meeting** between England and DR Congo at a FIFA World Cup. England have faced African sides in knockouts before (notably Cameroon in 1990), and those games were tighter than expected. Don’t expect an easy ride.