England vs DR Congo live online: score, stats, goals, updates | World Cup 2026 Round of 32

National anthems!

England really could change theirs to World In Motion, and just do the John Barnes rap verse, I genuinely think nobody would complain, and I'd enjoy it much more.

REF WATCH!

The referee is Adham Mohammad, from Jordan. He's on page 42 of the spotter's guide.

The players are in the tunnel!

I have to say, I really dislike the open tunnel full of fans waving their cameras in the faces of the players. Feels like such a distraction.

In case you were wondering...

Gianni's bedsheet, the big FIFA logo that gets waved wildly ahead of the games, has just been unfurled. So have the huge flags.

Not long to go!

Both sides have trotted down the tunnel and are having the final team talks before kick-off!

Panama v England: Group L - FIFA World Cup 2026

Harry Kane has had a very impressive World Cup so far, scoring 3 goals and easily being England's biggest goal threat. But let's see how he gets on against the low block of DR Congo, who will look to close off every space in and around him today.

The African side are not necessarily low-block specialists, but they certainly know how to frustrate, like they showed against Portugal, and they'll be up for doing the same against Kane and co.

A reminder of the XIs: DR Congo

Here's how the DRC will go into the game.

A reminder of the XIS: England

Here's how England line up for the game.

The stadium is filling up...

I have to say, the stadium is fillingup, and it's mostly England fans as far as I can tell. There are a small section of DRC fans up in the corner, but by the time the game kicks off, we'll have mostly white shirts in the stands.

Bakambu makes way

it's one change for the DRC, as Cédric Bakambu makes way for midfielder Ngal’ayel Mukau.

With Spence in the side for England, that's clearly a back four, meaning Wissa can go 1vs2 up front. That change has given Dseabre, the DRC manager, the chance to plug the midfield with bodies, creating a tight block that can crowd out any potential England threat and force them wide.

It'll likely be 3vs3 in the middle, with DRC looking to stifle and creativity and shut down any space as Englandhuff and puff. Boy, are we in for a treat here.

The talisman

Wissa is undoubtedly DR Congo's talisman, and a player England need to keep a close eye on this evening in Atlanta. 

Tuchel promising big things...

I think this is not the moment to shine and expect glamorous performances. This is the moment to go through, to get the job done.

I'm impressed by this guy

Noah Sadiki's move to Sunderland raised a lot of eyebrows, and not because nobody knew who he was. Instead, the PremierLeague transfer was a shock as many believed a team higher up the food chain could and would come in for the former Union SG player, having shone in Belgium.

He played 33 times in his debut season in England and did very well considering even the best can struggle to adapt. Now he's on the world stage at the World Cup and is making Mackems proud.

Are England any good?

Good question. The truth is that we're yet to see whether or not this England side can kick it with the big boys of football, as this iteration of the Three Lions hasn't really had the chance to do so.

At present, I couldn't name you a fixed starting XI, nor could I tell you exactly how they're going to play in each game. That's not, believe it or not, down to my knowledge of lack thereof, instead it says more about Tuchel's potential uncertainty regarding what he wants and can get.

The manager said he expects England to play “better against better sides”, so I guess we'll have to see if they can get past this stubborn DR Congo team, who are certainly no pushovers.

Who does the winner play?

Well, here's the interesting thing. The winner of England vs DR Congo will take on none other than Mexico, at the Estadio Azteca. That's as much of a ‘thrown into the bear pit’ game as a game of football can get, comparable only with a literal bear pit.

The co-hosts beat Ecuador in their Round of 16 game, crushing them like a paper cup as the Azteca crowd kept the pressure up for 90 minutes.

This is just great news

We've also got confirmation of DRC's kit news, which is why we're all here. They'll be playing in their simply delightful blue shirt; I must get my hands on one of these...

England's XI confirmation

Here's the official confirmation of England's starting XI. It's also a confirmation of them playing in the white kit, which is nice (although I do enjoy the red one, except for the strange colour).

Who to watch out for: DR Congo

In the African side, their main attacking threat comes from Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa. The Premier League striker didn't have the best domestic season after a big money move from Brentford scoring just one goal, but he's been a handful at the World Cup so far.

Wingers, wingers, wingers

One of the big questions facing England at the World Cup so far is what to do with all the wingers. Thomas Tuchel, the manager, has brought along wide players with very distinct skillsets. Rashford lookedgood in England's final group game, against Panama, while Anthony Gordon has not really taken his chance at becoming a starter.

On the other side, Madueke can frustrate but he's always there to cause trouble for a defender, while Bukayo Saka, the presumed first choice, is not fully fit. 

Here's how DR Congo made it through:

The African nation were one of the best third-placed teams in the groups. Thanks to Gianni's expansion that benefit his mandate - sorry, the world game - DR Congo progressed into the Round of 32. 

Most surprisingly in their group phase was a draw with Portugal, who they made look as blunt as a bouncy castle up front. That's quite the feat. considering the elite attacking talent they've got at number 9. He's just moved to AC Milan, by the way, has Gonçalo Ramos.

The right-back question:

It's not quite Prince Hamlet in Act 3, Scene 1, but it's a pretty good question.

The biggest selection issue is at right back after injuries disrupted England's plans. Reece James’ tournament appears to be over with a hamstring problem, while Jarell Quansah is also expected to miss out after rolling his ankle against Panama.

That should open the door for Djed Spence, who has already featured in all three group games and now looks set for his first World Cup knockout start.

What to expect

Today, we can expect one of two things to happen:

1. England win comfortably and progress to the Round of 16.

2. The game kicks off. A long ball flies through the air, signalling to those below like a shooting star to a caveman, that they must get into position. England's players surround the DRC box, while the blue shirts fight for their lives and fend off every challenge that comes their way. The clock ticks on. Eyes bleed. Mouths dry. Five senses become four, three, two, one. Something happens and somebody wins, apparently going through to the next round. We don't know. But at least we never have to witness that again.

Welcome

Well hello there, you've found yourself at the AS USA live feed for England vs DR Congo in the World Cup Round of 32.

It's Joe here to take you through the action in Atlanta.

Brace yourselves for this one, it's going to be, erm, interesting!