England go into the 2026 World Cup knockouts as one of the outside favourites for the trophy, but they have not looked convincing doing it, drawing with Ghana and toiling for an hour against Panama. Now comes DR Congo, at their first World Cup knockout stage ever, having taken points off Portugal and pushed Colombia close. On paper this is one-sided. In practice, Thomas Tuchel’s side have made a habit of struggling to break down disciplined African opposition this summer, and the Leopards have exactly that kind of defence. Here is how to watch England vs DR Congo, the kick-off time where you are, the lineups and our prediction.
Kickoff is 12:00 PM ET on Wednesday, July 1 / 5:00 PM in the UK at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, a noon local start. In the US it is on Fox and Telemundo. In Britain it is free on BBC One, with streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Where to Watch England vs DR Congo
Free on BBC One in the UK. In the US it is on Fox and Telemundo.
Quick tip: in the UK this is free on BBC One and iPlayer, kicking off right in the rush-hour slot at 5pm. Our guide to watching the World Cup in the UK has every channel and time. In the US it is on Fox with Telemundo in Spanish, plus Fubo, Peacock and YouTube TV.
England vs DR Congo TV Channel and Live Stream
USA UK DR Congo
Canada Australia
IndiaWhat Time Is England vs DR Congo in Your City?
New York / Atlanta (ET)Chicago (CT)Los Angeles (PT)
London (BST)
Kinshasa (WAT)
Madrid / Paris (CEST)
Dubai (GST)
New Delhi (IST)
Sydney (AEST)
Doha (AST)When Does It Kick Off Where You Are?
Pick your country and we will do the maths.
The Road to the Round of 32
England topped Group L unbeaten, though it was far from flawless. DR Congo finished third in Group K and went through as the highest-ranked of the eight best third-placed teams. Every final table is in our World Cup 2026 groups guide.
EnglandDR CongoThe winner advances to the Round of 16 to face the winner of Mexico vs Ecuador. If level after 90 minutes, the tie goes to extra time and, if needed, penalties.
England’s Patience Test Against History-Makers
England go into this unbeaten under Thomas Tuchel in 11 competitive games, and they blitzed Croatia 4-2 on the opening night to suggest this could be their tournament. But the two games since have told a different story. A goalless draw with Ghana and a laboured 2-0 win over Panama, both against sides happy to sit deep and defend in numbers, have raised questions about how England break teams down when the game does not open up. Harry Kane has three goals and Jude Bellingham keeps producing moments, but the service from wide areas, especially with Reece James still out injured, has been a genuine problem.
That matters here because DR Congo, at their first ever World Cup knockout stage, are built to frustrate exactly this kind of opponent. They held Portugal to a draw, only lost narrowly to Colombia, and have conceded more than once just once in their last 15 matches. Their back five, marshalled by captain Chancel Mbemba, is well drilled and packed with players who know the Premier League inside out, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe, both of whom used to represent England at youth level and will line up against their old country on Wednesday.
DR Congo are not just about defending, either. Yoane Wissa has been the story of their tournament, scoring three of their four goals despite a wretched injury-hit club season at Newcastle, and he will relish the space England’s high defensive line can occasionally leave. There is real romance to this story too, a nation returning to the World Cup for the first time since a torrid 1974 campaign as Zaire, when they lost all three games and shipped 14 goals. Reaching the knockouts alone is already the best World Cup in the country’s history.
England should have enough in the end. Their possession numbers dwarf DR Congo’s and the class gap in one-on-one moments, Kane, Bellingham, Saka, Rashford, tends to tell eventually against low blocks, even if it takes patience. But this has the makings of another grind rather than a rout, and do not be shocked if it stays level deep into the second half. We lean towards a narrow England win, with the Leopards giving them one more uncomfortable afternoon.
How They Might Line Up
England still have right-back problems, with Reece James and Jarell Quansah both out injured, so Djed Spence is set to continue there, with Declan Rice back in midfield. DR Congo are expected to revert to their back five, with Wissa and Bakambu leading the line.
ENGLAND · Tuchel · 4-2-3-1Pickford · Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly · Anderson, Rice · Saka, Bellingham, Rashford · Kane
DR CONGO · Desabre · 5-3-2Mpasi · Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kapuadi, Masuaku · Sadiki, Moutoussamy, Mukau · Wissa, Bakambu
Who Reaches the Last 16?
England to grind it out, or can the Leopards make history? Sign up on Vatan in seconds and back your call on this knockout tie.
18+ only. Please gamble responsibly.
A Word on Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Home to the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons and MLS side Atlanta United, this striking venue with its fan-shaped retractable roof is known as Atlanta Stadium during the tournament. It has hosted a Super Bowl and multiple Copa America games, and now stages its first World Cup knockout tie. There is more on it at Wikipedia.
There is no history here at all. This is the first ever meeting between England and DR Congo at any level. England do have a strong record against African nations at World Cups, though, winning five of nine such meetings, including victories over Cameroon in 1990 and Senegal in 2022.
England vs DR Congo: Quick Answers
What time does England vs DR Congo kick off?
Noon Eastern in the US, which is 9am on the West Coast. In the UK it is 5pm BST, and in Kinshasa it is also 5pm local. The date is Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
What channel is England vs DR Congo on in the US?
Fox has the English-language broadcast, with Telemundo in Spanish. You can also stream it via Fubo and Peacock.
Is England vs DR Congo free to watch in the UK?
Yes. It is live and free on BBC One, with free streaming via BBC iPlayer, right in the early evening rush-hour slot.
What happens if it is a draw after 90 minutes?
This is a knockout tie, so a draw means 30 minutes of extra time and then a penalty shootout if the teams are still level. The winner reaches the Round of 16; the loser is out.
Who does the winner play next?
The winner of England vs DR Congo advances to the Round of 16 to face the winner of Mexico vs Ecuador, played at the Estadio Azteca.
Why is this DR Congo's first World Cup knockout game ever?
DR Congo's only prior World Cup appearance was in 1974 as Zaire, when they lost all three group games without scoring. Reaching the last 32 this time, more than 50 years later, is already the best World Cup in their history.
Who are the key players?
For England, Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, though the team has struggled for width. For DR Congo, striker Yoane Wissa, who has scored three of the team's four goals at this World Cup.
What is the prediction?
We expect a narrow England win, around 2-0, but do not expect it to be comfortable. DR Congo have one of the tournament's most disciplined defences, and England have struggled to break down similar low blocks already this summer.
World Cup 2026 Guides
🏆 World Cup 2026 Final: Date, Venue, Time & How to Watch →
📅 World Cup 2026 Full Schedule, Bracket & Fixtures →
🏆 World Cup 2026 Groups, Tables & All 48 Teams →
🇺🇸 How to Watch the World Cup 2026 in the USA →
⚽ Messi vs Ronaldo: Who Has the Better World Cup Record? →
