England and Democratic Republic of Congo have confirmed their starting lineups for their 2026 World Cup round of 32 clash in Atlanta on Wednesday.
The Three Lions beat Panama 2-0 to take top spot in the group Group LThe Ghanaian national team had a goalless draw with Ghana after winning the opening match over Croatia 4-2.
Thirty-six places below England, who are 41st in the FIFA rankings, the Leopards drew 1-1 with Portugal and lost 1-0 to Colombia before coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan and book their first ever match in the knockout stages of a World Cup.
The winner will face Mexico in Mexico City on Monday (01:00 GMT) after the hosts continued their quiet run with a 2-0 win over Ecuador earlier on Wednesday.
World Cup 2026: England will face the Democratic Republic of Congo
England made three changes from their win over Panama: Djid Spence, Declan Rice and Noni Madueke for Bukayo Saka, Morgan Rogers and Jarrell Quansah, who started that match but suffered an injury and was on the bench this time.
Also among the substitutes is full-back Reece James, who played in England’s first two matches but missed the match against Panama due to a hamstring problem.
England starting lineup: Jordan Pickford, Ezri Konsa, Nico O’Reilly, Mark Guehi, Jed Spence, Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Noni Madueke
England Alternatives: Dean Henderson, James Trafford, John Stones, Trevoh Chalobah, Dan Byrne, Reece James, Jarrell Quansah, Jordan Henderson, Kobe Maino, Morgan Rogers, Eberechi Eze, Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon, Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney.
World Cup 2026: Congo’s full lineup against England
DR Congo made one change from their win over Uzbekistan, bringing on midfielder Ngalile Mokau in place of striker Cedric Bakambu.
Democratic Republic of the Congo The beginning of the eleventh: Lionel Mbasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku, Ngalai Mokau, Nathaniel Mpoko, Samuel Motsami, Noah Siddiqui, Brian Sibenga, Yoan Wesa.
Democratic Republic of the Congo Alternatives: Timothy Fayulu, Matthew Ebolu, Steve Kapawadi, Dylan Batobinsika, Joris Kayembe, Gideon Kalulu, Theo Bongonda, Aaron Tshibula, Charles Bickel, Edo Kayembe, Gayle Kakuta, Meshack Elia, Cedric Bakambu, Fiston Miley, Simon Panza.
Where to watch England vs. Democratic Republic of the Congo: TV channel, live stream online
The match starts on Wednesday at 17:00 GMT (12:00 ET / 09:00 PT). In the United Kingdom, live television coverage is on BBC One.
Streaming is available on a wide range of devices through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport Website.
World Cup 2026: England-DR Congo match statistics
- England are unbeaten in 11 competitive matches under Thomas Tuchel (W10) – only Ron Greenwood (16 matches between 1977 and 1980) and Roy Hodgson (14 matches between 2012 and 2013) have enjoyed longer unbeaten starts in their respective stewards.
- This will be the second time that England faces two African teams in the same World Cup. In 1990, it beat Egypt 1-0 in the group stage and ousted Cameroon 3-2 in the quarter-finals.
- Harry Kane would equal Jeff Hurst (4) for England’s World Cup knockout goals if he scored, while only Gary Lineker (6) has scored more.
- The European Golden Shoe winner scored three goals during the group stage to become England’s all-time leading scorer at the Men’s World Cup
- Elliot Anderson leads all England players in passing passes (30), possessions (20) and duels won (24) at this World Cup, with Ecuadorian Pedro Viet the only other player to achieve at least 20 passes in each of these categories in the group stage.
- DR Congo ranked 38th in terms of possession rate (38.5%) in the group stage. England came in third place with 65.3%.
- Yoan Wesa scored three of DRC’s four goals in the competition, equaling his tally for the entire 2025/26 season with Newcastle.
- Wissa scored a goal every 301 minutes for Newcastle, but he scored a goal every 90 minutes in the World Cup.
- The 29-year-old averaged 0.21 expected goals (xG) for each of his nine attempts in the 2026 finals, for a total of 1.87.
- This is the 11th time an African team has faced a previous winner in a World Cup knockout match, with Morocco being the only team to qualify when they beat Spain on penalties in the round of 16 in 2022.
