England meet Congo DR in a World Cup last-16 tie on Wednesday, July 1, with kick-off at 12 p.m. ET in Atlanta (5 p.m. BST/WAT, 6 p.m. CAT). The match takes place at Atlanta Stadium, also known as Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and will be refereed by Jordanian official Adham Makhadmeh, according to the match preview.
Congo DR reached the tournament via the inter-continental playoffs — one of two teams to do so alongside Iraq — after finishing second in their qualifying group to Senegal and advancing by beating Cameroon and Nigeria in Africa’s playoffs. They secured their World Cup place with a 1-0 extra-time win over Jamaica, Axel Tuanzebe netting in the 100th minute, the preview states.
Les Léopards produced a notable group phase, drawing 1-1 with Portugal when Yoane Wissa cancelled João Neves’ opener, then losing 1-0 to Colombia before coming from 1-0 down to beat Uzbekistan 3-1. Wissa scored twice in that win and Fiston Mayele added the third; Congo DR claimed all four of their group points by overturning losing positions, according to the match notes.
England enter the tie with right-back concerns. Reece James and Jarell Quansah are listed as doubtful with injury, Tino Livramento is out of the tournament, and manager Thomas Tuchel omitted Trent Alexander-Arnold from his World Cup squad, leaving limited options at the position, the preview reports. Expected England lineup: GK Jordan Pickford; LB Nico O’Reilly; CBs Marc Guéhi and Ezri Konsa; RB Djed Spence; CMs Elliot Anderson and Declan Rice; LW Marcus Rashford; AM Jude Bellingham; RW Bukayo Saka; ST Harry Kane.
Expected Congo DR lineup: GK Lionel Mpasi-Nzau; LB Arthur Masuaku; CBs Axel Tuanzebe and Chancel Mbemba; RB Aaron Wan-Bissaka; LM Brian Cipenga; CMs Samuel Moutoussamy and Noah Sadiki; RM Nathanaël Mbuku; STs Fiston Mayele and Yoane Wissa. Broadcasting options include BBC One in the UK, RTNC in Congo DR, SuperSport across much of Sub-Saharan Africa, Sporty TV streaming, New World TV and beIN SPORTS in parts of Africa, FOX (English) in the USA, Zee5 in India and SBS in Australia, according to the preview. England have recorded five wins and four draws from nine World Cup matches against African opponents but suffered a 3-1 defeat to Senegal in June last year.
