England faces DR Congo in World Cup knockout stage

England is set to play DR Congo in the World Cup round of 32 today. The match will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm BST. This encounter marks DR Congo’s first appearance in the knockout rounds of a FIFA World Cup in the nation’s history.

England advanced to this stage after successfully navigating Group L. The team secured first place in their group with victories over Croatia and Panama, along with a draw against Ghana. In their opening match, England scored four goals against Croatia. Their second group game against Ghana ended goalless, despite late chances for Nico O’Reilly, who hit the bar, and Harry Kane. In their most recent group match, Thomas Tuchel’s side scored two second-half goals against Panama, courtesy of Jude Bellingham and Kane.

DR Congo, known as The Leopards, last participated in the World Cup in 1974, when the country was called Zaire. The team secured their spot in the knockout stage despite conceding in all three of their Group K matches. They managed to score three late goals in their final group game against Uzbekistan.

Community anticipation for the match

The match holds particular significance for the Congolese community in the UK, which includes approximately 30,000 nationals with expat communities in cities like Leeds and Sheffield. For many, it is considered an honour for DR Congo to face their adopted country on the world stage.

Jacques Kalenga, who moved to England from DR Congo in 1999 and works for the charity Tosalisana Congolese Community of Sheffield, expressed his surprise at his nation competing in the World Cup after a 52-year absence. He noted the increasing success of the country’s football programme. Kalenga admitted to having divided loyalties, supporting both England and DR Congo, and hoped for a good match where the stronger team would win.

Kalenga’s favourite player from the current World Cup squad is Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa. He highlighted that 20 players in the current squad were born outside DR Congo, including Wissa and former Manchester United defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who were born in France and England, respectively. Kalenga hopes the match will strengthen both Congolese identity and community relations in England.

Daniel Pokas, owner of the La Katangaise Cuisine restaurant in Leeds, plans to show the match at his establishment. He believes England should be wary of their opponents, stating, “We’re going to win 100%, we’re playing well.” Pokas expressed confidence in his team, mentioning former Newcastle United defender and DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa as his favourite players to watch. He dreams of his home nation lifting the World Cup in July and noted the team’s ability to surprise opponents, referencing a draw against Portugal.

Match details and viewing information

The match will be televised live on BBC One. Odds for the match are available, with various offers for new customers. For instance, one offer provides 50-1 odds for at least one goal to be scored in the match.

The offer for new customers involves placing a maximum £1 bet on over 0.5 goals in the over/under goals market for England vs DR Congo. If successful, winnings are paid in cash at normal odds, with an additional amount credited in free bet builders to reach the cumulative 50-1 payout. Free bets are valid for 30 days. This specific offer is set to expire at 5pm BST today, Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

The DR Congo team is seen as a potential threat to Jordan Pickford’s goal, having conceded in their group matches but also demonstrating an ability to score. The stage is set for what is anticipated to be a fascinating encounter in Atlanta.

Source: racingpost.com

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