World Cup 2026 DR Congo Face England in Last-32 Tie
DR CONGO · WORLD CUP
Key Facts
—World Cup 2026 DR Congo: DR Congo face England at Atlanta Stadium in the round of thirty-two.
—History made: It is the first World Cup knockout match DR Congo have ever played.
—Kick-off: The tie starts at noon in Atlanta, which is five in the afternoon in London and in Kinshasa.
—Group route: DR Congo held Portugal, lost to Colombia and beat Uzbekistan to qualify as a best third-placed side.
—Prize: The winner reaches the last sixteen, where the winner of Mexico against Ecuador awaits.
A nation back at the World Cup for the first time in half a century now stands on the edge of something it has never done before, a place in the knockout rounds.
World Cup 2026 DR Congo meet England in Atlanta
DR Congo face England at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday in the round of thirty-two. It is the biggest match the central African nation has played in fifty years.
According to FIFA’s official team page, kick-off is set for noon in Atlanta. That is five in the afternoon in both London and Kinshasa.
England arrive as heavy favourites and as one of the tournament’s contenders. For DR Congo, simply reaching this stage is already a landmark.
A first knockout in the nation’s history
By The Rio Times’ reading of the record books, this is the first World Cup knockout match DR Congo have ever contested. It is also their first appearance at the finals since 1974.
Back then the country competed under the name Zaire and lost all three group games. The gap of fifty-two years between finals is among the longest of any nation here.
That context gives the occasion enormous weight in Kinshasa. The Leopards have already rewritten their own history simply by arriving in the last thirty-two.
How World Cup 2026 DR Congo reached the last 32
DR Congo finished third in Group K and squeezed through as one of the best third-placed sides. They opened with a battling one-all draw against Portugal.
A narrow one-nil defeat to Colombia followed, leaving their hopes in the balance. They responded with a three-one win over Uzbekistan to book their place.
Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa was the difference, scoring three times across the group. By The Rio Times’ count, that was three of DR Congo’s four goals in the first round.
England arrive as Group L winners
Thomas Tuchel’s England topped Group L on seven points. They opened with a four-two win over Croatia in a thrilling contest.
A goalless draw with Ghana followed before a two-nil victory over Panama. The Three Lions look solid, if not yet at their devastating best.
England’s rare African test
There is history in this pairing for England too. They are facing African opposition in a World Cup knockout match for only the third time.
The previous two went their way, a three-two win over Cameroon in the 1990 quarter-final and a three-nil defeat of Senegal in the 2022 round of sixteen. DR Congo aim to become the first African side to knock England out at this stage.
Desabre’s Leopards eye an upset
Coach Sebastien Desabre has built an organised and committed DR Congo side. They reached the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in 2024 under his guidance.
Their game plan will likely rely on defensive discipline and the threat of Wissa on the break. Frustrating England and striking late is the obvious route to a shock.
What the winner faces
The victor advances to a last-sixteen tie on the sixth of July. There they will meet the winner of Mexico against Ecuador.
For England that would be another step on a long road to the final. For DR Congo it would be uncharted territory and a national celebration.
Why it matters
A record nine African teams reached the last thirty-two at this World Cup. DR Congo carry part of that story into Atlanta.
Defeat would not erase the progress they have made this summer. Victory, though, would be one of the great results in the country’s football history.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is World Cup 2026 DR Congo vs England?
The match kicks off at noon local time on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium. That is five in the afternoon in London and in Kinshasa.
Why is the match historic for DR Congo?
It is the first World Cup knockout match DR Congo have ever played. It is also their first appearance at the finals since 1974, when they were known as Zaire.
How did DR Congo qualify for the last thirty-two?
They finished third in Group K and advanced as one of the best third-placed teams. They drew with Portugal, lost to Colombia and beat Uzbekistan.
How did England reach this stage?
England won Group L on seven points under Thomas Tuchel. They beat Croatia and Panama and drew with Ghana.
Who does the winner play next?
The winner faces the winner of Mexico against Ecuador in the last sixteen. That tie is scheduled for the sixth of July.
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