CORNERFLICK
England open the knockout stage of the 2026 World Cup against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Adham Mohammed will referee the last-16 tie, which kicks off at 19:30 local time. The winner will face either Mexico or Ecuador in the quarter-finals.
Thomas Tuchel’s side arrive with strong numbers behind them. England have won seven of their last 10 games, drawing one and losing two, while scoring 20 goals and conceding four. They have kept seven clean sheets, averaged 613 passes per match and held 69% possession.
Congo have taken a different route into the round of 16. Sebastien Desabre’s team have won four, drawn three and lost three of their last 10, scoring 12 and conceding seven. They are expected to rely on a compact defensive shape and counter-attacks.
Tuchel is only missing Reece James, who is ruled out through injury, while Jarell Quansah is a doubt. Congo have no major suspensions or injuries listed.
England are likely to line up with Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Declan Rice and Jordan Pickford, while Congo could turn to Yoane Wissa, Cedric Bakambu, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Arthur Masuaku.