England vs DR Congo Prediction & Picks - World Cup
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by Bradley Gibbs | in World Cup Picks
Having topped their group, the English will continue their rather tame assault on the 2026 World Cup with a Round-of-32 match against DR Congo on Wednesday. These two teams will clash in Atlanta, Georgia.
After a thrilling win over Croatia, the Three Lions took a sizable step back against a rigid Ghanaian team, and it wasn’t much better against Panama during the final round of group games. They now need to step on the gas. For DR Congo, this is all about being tough to beat, before pouncing on the break, a tactic that worked well against the Portuguese during the first round of group games.
In terms of overall quality and general experience at this level, Thomas Tuchel’s men should get the job done here, but they’re not exactly making a habit of blowing teams away, so combining the England win with a relative lack of goals makes plenty of sense.
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England vs DR Congo Form
England and DR Congo Latest Matches
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 27, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 23, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 17, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 10, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 6, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 23, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 17, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 10, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 6, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 27, 2026 - International Friendlies
6/6 (100%)
0/6 (0%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 27, 2026 - World Cup
Nov 16, 2025 - World Cup
Oct 14, 2025 - World Cup
Sep 9, 2025 - World Cup
Jun 7, 2025 - World Cup
Nov 14, 2024 - UEFA Nations League
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 27, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 23, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 17, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 9, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jun 3, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - World Cup
5/6 (83%)
0/6 (0%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 27, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 9, 2026 - International Friendlies
Mar 31, 2026 - World Cup
Dec 23, 2025 - AFCON
Dec 16, 2025 - International Friendlies
Oct 14, 2025 - World Cup
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
Jun 23, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 17, 2026 - World Cup
Jun 3, 2026 - International Friendlies
Jan 6, 2026 - AFCON
Dec 30, 2025 - AFCON
Dec 27, 2025 - AFCON
England - DR Congo: Form Analysis
As touched on above, the English made a surprisingly fast start to life in the US, scoring four goals on their way to a convincing win over Croatia during the first round of group games, delivering a performance that sparked lots of optimism. Unfortunately, the efforts delivered by Tuchel’s men since have drained most of that optimism. They struggled to be incisive against Ghana, settling for a 0-0 tie, before beating Panama in largely unimpressive fashion.
They struggled to be incisive against Ghana, settling for a 0-0 tie, before beating Panama in largely unimpressive fashion.
As for the DR Congo boys, well, they fought hard to hold the Portuguese to a tie during the first round of games, surprising many, showing that they’re capable of tussling with the biggest and best. Against the Colombians, they weren’t quite as capable of hitting on the break, but again, they held their own at times and were far from badly beaten, before stepping on the gas offensively to beat Uzbekistan by three goals to one. Off the back of that win, they should at least fancy themselves to cause the English a few problems in Atlanta.
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DR Congo v England last Lineups
Formation : 4 - 2 - 3 - 1
Formation : 4 - 4 - 2
Substitutes
D. Henderson
J. Trafford
DefenderD. Burn
J. Stones
D. Spence
T. Chalobah
MidfielderJ. Henderson
E. Eze
D. Rice
K. Mainoo
ForwardI. Toney
A. Gordon
N. Madueke
O. Watkins
T. Fayulu
M. Epolo
DefenderS. Kapuadi
D. Batubinsika
J. Kayembe
G. Kalulu
MidfielderN. Mukau
E. Kayembe
T. Bongonda
A. Tshibola
C. Pickel
ForwardG. Kakuta
F. Mayele
M. Elia
S. Banza
Missing players
J. Quansah
England & DR Congo Squad Analysis
Despite not really impressing, the English did improve on their rather stale effort against Ghana by beating Panama by two goals to zero, so it won’t be overly surprising if Thomas Tuchel chooses the same XI here. Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Morgan Rogers all came into the team last time out and could all retain their places. The same cannot be said for Jarrel Quansah, who was also brought into the starting XI ahead of the Panama game, though he went off injured in the second half and could miss this assignment.
Noah Sadiki impressed in that game and as someone who plays in the EPL, he could be invaluable for DR Congo in this game.
Off the back of that solid performance against Uzbekistan, Sebastian Desabre won’t be looking to change too much ahead of this game. Noah Sadiki impressed in that game and as someone who plays in the EPL, he could be invaluable for DR Congo in this game. Yoane Wissa also fits the bill as a player with plenty of EPL experience and should once again lead the forward line.
Most goals and assists
England
DR Congo
H. Kane
(3 Goals)
Y. Wissa
(3 Goals)
B. Saka
(2 Assists)
A. Masuaku
(1 Assists)
,
M. Elia
(1 Assists)
England - DR Congo Key Points
- Only one of DR Congo's three group games contained more than three goals.
- Only one of England's three group games contained more than three goals.
- Only one of England's last nine games overall has contained more than three goals.
- Four goals have been scored in just one of DR Congo's games since September 2025.
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Our England vs DR Congo Prediction
This is very much a game that the English should win, but then again, so was that game against Panama last time out, and we didn’t exactly see the Three Lions devour their prey on that occasion, winning by just two goals to zero. Something similar is far from off the cards in Atlanta, where the African opponents will be looking to sit deep and frustrate, a tactic which has so far stopped Thomas Tuchel’s men from shifting through the gears.
Betting on the English to have enough quality to win without embarrassing their opponents is the smartest move at odds of -115.
Our England vs DR Congo Pick: England to Win & Under 3.5 Goals.
England vs DR Congo - Other Interesting Picks
England to Win
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England vs DR Congo match : Frequently asked questions
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
