England vs DR Congo: Prediction, Picks, Lineups & Best Bets

World Cup 2026 Round of 32 · Preview · Team News · Goalscorer Props · FanDuel odds

📖 Match Preview

Thomas Tuchel's England topped Group L unbeaten — a 4-2 win over Croatia, a scrappy 0-0 draw with Ghana, and a harder-than-expected 2-0 win over Panama. The Three Lions are unbeaten in 11 competitive fixtures under Tuchel (10 wins, 1 draw), one of the best starts by any England manager in history. But the group stage also exposed a real issue: England have looked fluent against sides willing to play, and laboured against a well-organized low block.

That's precisely the challenge DR Congo present. Sébastien Desabre's side finished third in Group K behind Colombia and Portugal — a 1-1 draw with Portugal, a 1-0 loss to Colombia, and a spirited 3-1 comeback win over Uzbekistan after falling behind early — and advanced as the highest-ranked of the tournament's eight best third-placed finishers. This is the Leopards' first-ever World Cup appearance beyond the group stage, and they've built their run on a resolute, well-drilled defense that already held Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal to a draw.

Their route to a goal here likely runs through one man: Yoane Wissa has scored three of DR Congo's four tournament goals — 75% of their output — averaging a goal every 90 minutes despite an injury-hit club season at Newcastle. England, meanwhile, have Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham combining for five goals in the group stage, and it's their quality in the final third that most previews expect to eventually unlock a deep Congolese block.

This is the first-ever meeting between these two nations, so there's no head-to-head history to lean on. Opta's model gives England a 73.9% win probability inside regulation, DR Congo just 11.3%, with a 14.8% chance this goes to extra time or penalties — numbers that line up with the "clear favorite, but not a laugher" framing running through most previews.

🩺 Team News & Injuries

📋 Predicted Lineups

📊 Key Stats & Head-to-Head

⭐ Best Bets — FanDuel

All odds FanDuel Sportsbook · 3-Way Moneyline (90 min): England -370 / Draw +420 / DR Congo +1300 · 2 Up Early Payout: England -380 / Draw +420 / DR Congo +1200 · To Qualify (reg+ET+pens): England -800 / DR Congo +520 · Anytime Goalscorer (top of board): Kane -135, Rashford +210, Madueke +230, Gordon +230, Saka +240, Bellingham +270 · Anytime Goalscorer (incl. ET): Kane -155, Rashford +195, Saka +210, Gordon +210, Madueke +210, Bellingham +250 · To Score or Assist: Kane -180, Rashford -115, Madueke -110, Gordon +100, Rogers +110, Saka +115 · To Score or Assist (incl. ET): Kane -210, Rashford -135, Madueke -125, Gordon -115, Rogers -105, Saka +100 · Player 1+ SOT: Kane -650, Rashford -250, Madueke -210, Rogers -210, Gordon -200, Saka -200 · Correct Score: England 1-0 +410, 0-0 +1100, 0-1 +2500, 2-0 +450, 1-1 +900, 0-2 +8000, 2-1 +750, 2-2 +2700, 1-2 +4000, 3-0 +700, 3-3 +15000, 1-3 +17500, 3-1 +1200, 2-3 +10000, 3-2 +3500 · BTTS Yes +168 / No -220 · O/U 1.5: -320 / +245 · O/U 2.5: -102 / -120 · England predicted 4-2-3-1: Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O'Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane · DR Congo predicted 5-3-2: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kapuadi, Masuaku; Mukau, Moutoussamy, Kayembe; Wissa, Bakambu · Reece James and Jarell Quansah both out (hamstring/ankle), Spence to start at RB · No injuries reported for DR Congo · Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta GA · Tomorrow 12PM ET · FOX/Telemundo · Winner faces Mexico/Ecuador winner in Round of 16 · Must be 21+ · Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER