England, led by Harry Kane, is set to face the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 32 at Atlanta Stadium on July 1. The match kicks off at noon local time (16:00 GMT).

DR Congo made their first World Cup appearance since 1974, when they lost all three matches. This year, they advanced beyond the group stage as the top-ranked third-placed team, marking a significant achievement for the team. They held Portugal to a draw, narrowly lost to Colombia, and secured a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan, with Yoane Wissa scoring twice in the latter match for their maiden World Cup win.

Coach Sebastien Desabre expressed confidence in his team, stating that despite carrying the hopes of their nation, his players do not feel pressured going into the match against England. "It was already an achievement and a progression to return to the World Cup after 52 years of absence," Desabre said. He added that the team views the match as an opportunity to create another exploit rather than just experience the competition.

Desabre emphasized that the pressure is on England to meet their objectives, while DR Congo will strive to qualify for the next round. He also noted that his team practices penalties professionally, acknowledging it as a possible way to win the game.

England enters the match unbeaten in the group stage and aims to continue their bid for the World Cup title. The encounter is anticipated to be a challenging test for both sides as they compete for a place in the last 16.

Sources