DR Congo prepare for England clash in World Cup knockout stage

By Brian Otieno — 30 June 2026 — 4 min read

DR Congo is set to face England in the nation’s first-ever knockout stage match at the World Cup. The team, nicknamed the Leopards, will be looking to build on their performance in the group stages, where they secured a draw against Portugal and a victory over Uzbekistan.

Thomas Tuchel‘s England side will encounter a resilient and disciplined opponent. Noni Madueke, an England player, noted that every team faces difficulties when the opposition sets up defensively, and he anticipates a challenging game against DR Congo.

DR Congo’s Tactical Approach and Key Players

Under coach Sebastien Desabre, DR Congo has prioritised a strong defensive structure. The team is designed to avoid losing and to bide their time, often surrendering possession to invite opponents onto their defensive block before striking. This approach has seen them achieve success in low-scoring games, with the team scoring one goal or fewer in two-thirds of their matches.

In the initial two group games against Portugal and Colombia, Desabre deployed a back five with three central midfielders and two forwards. Wing-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Arthur Masuaku maintained disciplined roles, with creative responsibilities largely falling to the midfield. The team’s defensive solidity is highlighted by their record of not losing by more than one goal under Desabre‘s four-year stewardship when Europe-based players are available.

Despite their conservative style, DR Congo possesses attacking threats. Yoane Wissa has scored three goals in the tournament so far, matching Harry Kane‘s tally. Wissa found the net in the opening match and scored twice against Uzbekistan. Another key player is Cedric Bakambu, a striker for Real Betis, though he has yet to register a shot on target in the World Cup. Fiston Mayele, named the men’s Interclub African Player of the Year, was introduced against Uzbekistan and provided composure in front of goal.

Connections and Historical Context

The upcoming match holds significance beyond the competition, given the strong links between DR Congo and England through players who have developed their careers in England. Axel Tuanzebe, born in Bunia, Congo, moved to Rochdale at a young age and received his footballing education at Manchester United, even captaining the team on one occasion. He also represented England at youth level. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, another former Manchester United player, was born and raised in south London and was included in an England squad in 2019.

Other players with connections include Aaron Tshibola, formerly of Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, and Arthur Masuaku, known to England fans from his time at West Ham and Sunderland. Noah Sadiki, a current Sunderland player, is also a highly-rated member of the DR Congo team. Additionally, Ezri Konsa in the England squad has DR Congo heritage and would be eligible to represent the Leopards.

This World Cup marks DR Congo‘s most successful period in a generation, following a 52-year wait to return to the tournament. Their previous appearance was in 1974, when they were known as Zaire and became the first sub-Saharan African country to qualify for the World Cup. The team’s journey to the last 32 involved a 1-1 draw with Portugal, a 1-0 loss to Colombia, and a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan.

England’s Perspective and Challenges

England‘s manager, Thomas Tuchel, has a deep squad at his disposal, allowing for rotation during the group stages. Noni Madueke has made two starts and one substitute appearance in the tournament, competing for minutes with his club teammate Bukayo Saka. Madueke emphasised the importance of maintaining a high level of performance due to the healthy competition within the squad.

England‘s lack of creativity and energy in attacking areas has been a point of discussion, despite their 2-0 win over Panama. According to FIFA’s style metrics, England‘s playing style significantly differs from that of DR Congo. The challenge posed by DR Congo‘s defensive setup is expected to be similar to that of Ghana, who held England to a goalless draw in the group stages. The last-32 tie against England will be played on Wednesday.

Source: skysports.com