Coach says African side’s confidence and counter-attacking threat make them dangerous opponents…reports London Daily News Desk
England head coach Thomas Tuchel has warned his players against underestimating DR Congo ahead of their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash, describing the African side as a disciplined, physical and dangerous outfit capable of punishing even the slightest lapse.
The Three Lions arrived in Atlanta on Tuesday ahead of their first knockout match after topping Group L with a 2-0 win over Panama and a goalless draw against Ghana. While England progressed unbeaten and without conceding a goal, Tuchel admitted his side will face another stern examination against a DR Congo team that has emerged as one of the tournament’s surprise packages.
DR Congo advanced after finishing third in a challenging group featuring Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan. They defeated Uzbekistan, held Portugal to a draw and suffered only a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia, performances that have boosted the team’s confidence heading into the knockout phase.
“We expect a similar kind of game like we faced against Ghana and Panama,” Tuchel said.
“They’re a physical team, a quick team, a devoted team, very disciplined and well drilled. They’re very dangerous in counterattacks, very direct in their approach and not shy to play long balls into the depths to make it a running game and a game of second balls.
“They’re a team that don’t allow a lot of chances, and they didn’t allow a lot of goals against teams like Colombia and Portugal.”
“We arrive as favourites, but we respect our opponent and accept the demands of knockout football.”
—Thomas Tuchel
Tuchel said England would have to be at their best against an opponent with nothing to lose.
“They’ve already overachieved. I know from experience what it does to a team if you’re already in the moment of overachieving and they have genuine belief in what they’re doing. That makes them a difficult team to play against.
“We arrive as favourites and they can play in the role of the underdog, which suits them very well. It’s important to accept these things and then focus on what we can influence and be the best version of ourselves.”
England have shown defensive solidity throughout the tournament, keeping clean sheets in all three group-stage matches, but there have been concerns over their ability to break down compact defensive units.
Against Panama, England needed two moments of brilliance from Jude Bellingham to secure victory. The midfielder broke the deadlock with a composed finish from a corner before creating Harry Kane’s goal with an incisive pass.
Although England have not conceded so far, Tuchel acknowledged there were moments against Panama when stronger opposition could have capitalised on defensive lapses.
The England manager is expected to make a few changes to his starting XI for the knockout fixture. Midfielder Declan Rice is set to return after missing the Panama match with a minor calf problem and is likely to partner Elliot Anderson in midfield, with Morgan Rogers expected to drop to the bench.
At full-back, Djed Spence is tipped to start on the right, with Nico O’Reilly likely to continue on the left. Tuchel must also decide between Bukayo Saka and Noni Madueke on the right wing. Saka is still working his way back to full match fitness after injury, while Madueke struggled to make a significant impact in the previous game.
Marcus Rashford, who impressed with his pace and creativity against Panama, is expected to retain his place on the left flank ahead of Anthony Gordon.
England, however, will be without Reece James and Jarell Quansah, both of whom continue to recover from injuries.
“They’re getting closer and closer,” Tuchel said.
“Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reece, but the race was close even to make it into the squad this time. We need to make sure that we have more matches. That’s the main focus and then they will be available very soon.”
While England boast one of the strongest squads in the tournament, Tuchel insisted reputation alone will count for little once the knockout stages begin.
“We have the team spirit, we have the commitment, we have the quality to turn half chances into chances and decide this match in maybe a very few key moments.
“We have the quality, we have the trust, we have the belief. But we respect our opponent and we accept the situation of knockout football.”
DR Congo’s resurgence has been one of the stories of the tournament. Competing as Zaire, the country became the first Sub-Saharan African nation to play at a FIFA World Cup in 1974, though that campaign ended in three defeats, including a 9-0 loss to Yugoslavia.
The current generation, however, has rewritten that narrative. Led by experienced players such as Cedric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa, Noah Sadiki, Axel Tuanzebe and former England Under-21 defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, the side has combined physicality, tactical discipline and attacking pace to trouble some of the world’s best teams.
Their ability to absorb pressure and launch quick counterattacks has made them one of the most difficult teams to break down at the tournament, and England are expected to dominate possession while remaining alert to the threat posed by DR Congo’s pace on the break.
With the match kicking off at noon local time in Atlanta—allowing younger fans in England to watch live—Tuchel said he hopes his players can produce a performance that reflects the team’s spirit and commitment.
“We’d love to entertain them,” he said.
“It can also be entertaining if you feel the spirit and the energy of the team. Hopefully everyone watching can see how much it means to this group.
“I see it every day, I feel it every day, and hopefully we can transmit it through the TVs and make them proud and happy.”
The winners of Wednesday’s clash will advance to the Round of 16, where a place in the quarterfinals will be at stake.
