Soccer
England vs. DR Congo preview: Team news and how to watch World Cup match
FIFA+: World Cup archive & programmes FREE on DAZN
The business end of the 2026 World Cup has begun, and now it's the turn of England to join in the fun as they head into their first knockout game against DR Congo.
The Three Lions eventually got the job done against Panama, with a second-half performance inspired by Jude Bellingham getting them over the line to top the group and progress into the Round of 32.
- Read next | Who are the top scorers at the 2026 World Cup?
Thomas Tuchel will know his team, bar 45 minutes against Croatia, have been far from convincing and now there's the jeopardy of a plane ride home riding on any mistake.
If they find the intensity they showed in the first game, then it should be a comfortable afternoon, but DR Congo should take note of how both Ghana and Panama frustrated Tuchel's side.
Congo have also shown they can pose a goal threat, especially with Yoane Wissa, who's timed his return to form perfectly for his country.
DAZN News has all the information ahead of England vs. DR Congo.
England to learn lessons from Germany and Netherland
Watch: Thomas Tuchel wary of becoming another World Cup shock story
England vs. DR Congo kick-off, date, venue
England vs. DR Congo is at 12pm local time on Wednesday, July 1, in Atlanta.
UK viewers can watch the match at 5pm BST. Fans watching in the US and Canada can catch the game at 12pm ET and 9am PT.
- Date: Saturday, June 27
- Kick-off: 5pm BST / 12pm EDT / 9am PDT
The game is being played at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
England vs. DR Congo: How to watch, live stream, TV channel
- UK: BBC
- US: FS1 / FOX One
- Canada: TSN
Getty Images
England vs. DR Congo team news
England
England have major issues at right-back with both Reece James and Jarell Quansah expected to miss the game. It means either Djed Spence slotting in at right-back or Ezri Konsa moving across.
Declan Rice should come back in after being rested against Panama.
Previous XI: Pickford, Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly, Anderson, Bellingham, Rogers, Saka, Rashford, Kane
DR Congo
There are no injury concerns for Congo, but they may switch back to the 5-3-2 shape deployed against Portugal and Colombia, which could see Brian Cipenga make way for centre-back Steve Kapuadi.
Previous XI: Mpasi, Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Masuaku, Cipenga, Moutoussamy, Sakdiki, Mbuku, Bakambu, Wissa
Watch World Cup archive, highlights and documentaries for FREE on DAZN
DAZN is the home of FIFA+, a vast library of football on-demand content including World Cup archive, iconic documentaries, player profiles, live matches, and both full match replays and highlights.
Watch it all for FREE on DAZN on smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming devices, games consoles, and web browsers.
