England face dangerous DR Congo test
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ATLANTA: England have yet to hit top gear at the World Cup and after a group stage played with minimum jeopardy, a round-of-32 meeting with the Democratic Republic of Congo leaves little margin for error against a side buoyed by already going further than expected.
Thomas Tuchel’s England topped Group ‘L’, grinding past Panama in a 2-0 win that secured first place and a simpler path in the knockout rounds on paper.
The performance level, however, remains a concern. England were held to a frustrating scoreless draw by Ghana, and laboured again against Panama for over an hour before Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane got them over the line.
As the tournament goes on, others will need to step up. Since their opening 4-2 win over Croatia, England have looked short on imagination, low on attacking threat, and lacking the ruthlessness expected of title contenders.
Wednesday in Atlanta offers no room for complacency.
DR Congo finished as the highest-ranked third-place finisher, a team who came close to going out but will have emerged all the stronger after coming through.
DR Congo’s long road to a first World Cup in 52 years has been beset by challenges that their English opponents could scarcely imagine.
Despite having to navigate 13 qualifiers, a pre-tournament quarantine due to an Ebola outbreak and the instability caused by decades of conflict, the war-torn nation is making its mark on the global stage.
“It’s not easy in our country,” said Yoane Wissa after his two goals secured his nation’s first World Cup win against Uzbekistan and a meeting against England, where the Newcastle striker has played his club football for the past five years.
That is by no means the only English connection in the squad.
Of the 26-man squad, 20 were born outside of Congo — the majority, like Wissa, in France.
Sebastien Desabre’s side played with two up front in the 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.
Against England, however, they will almost certainly revert to five at the back, which they utilised in a 1-1 draw with Portugal, and 1-0 loss to Colombia.
England will likely have key midfielder Declan Rice back in the starting lineup, but problems remain at right back.
England coach Thomas Tuchel knows if things do not come good in the coming weeks, an avalanche of criticism is coming his way.
All kick-off times in PST:
Today’s fixture:
England vs DR Congo (9:00pm)
Thursday’s fixtures:
Belgium vs Senegal (1:00am)
US vs Bosnia & Herzegovina (5:00am)
Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2026
