England to face DR Congo in World Cup round of 32 in Atlanta
England are set to play DR Congo today in the World Cup round of 32. The match will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, with kick-off scheduled for 5pm BST.
England advanced from Group L after securing victories against Croatia and Panama, and drawing with Ghana. They finished first in their group. During their group stage matches, England scored four goals against Croatia. Their second group match against Ghana ended goalless, despite late opportunities for Nico O’Reilly and Harry Kane. In their most recent match, England scored two second-half goals against Panama, courtesy of Jude Bellingham and Kane.
DR Congo, making their first appearance in the knockout rounds of a FIFA World Cup, last participated in the tournament in 1974 when they were known as Zaire. The team, then called The Leopards, was the third African side to compete in the tournament. DR Congo secured their place 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.
Congolese community in England anticipates match
The match holds particular significance for the Congolese community in the UK, which includes approximately 30,000 nationals, with communities in cities such as Leeds and Sheffield. Jacques Kalenga, who moved to England from DR Congo in 1999 and works for the charity Tosalisana Congolese Community of Sheffield, expressed that it is an honour for his home nation to play England on the world stage. He noted that he was surprised to see DR Congo compete in a World Cup after a 52-year absence and acknowledged the increasing success of the country’s football programme.
Kalenga mentioned that he supports both England and DR Congo, hoping for a good match and that the stronger team prevails. He stated he would be pleased with either team winning. He has been watching DR Congo‘s group stage games in a pub in Sheffield. Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa is his favourite player from the current World Cup squad. Kalenga hopes the match will enhance both Congolese identity and community relations in England.
Daniel Pokas, owner of the La Katangaise Cuisine restaurant in Leeds, plans to show the match on TV at his establishment. He believes England should be wary of their opponents, expressing confidence in DR Congo‘s performance. Pokas stated that he trusts all his players and sees no weaknesses in their play. He also noted that DR Congo has returned to the World Cup after 52 years. His favourite players to watch are former Newcastle United defender and DR Congo captain Chancel Mbemba and Yoane Wissa.
Pokas dreams of his home nation winning the World Cup in July and highlighted the team’s ability to surprise opponents. He cited their draw against Portugal as an example, as Portugal is considered a strong team. Pokas moved to England in 2004.
Betting opportunities for the match
For those interested in betting, various offers are available for the England vs DR Congo match. One offer provides 50-1 odds for at least one goal to be scored in the game. This offer is for new customers and requires a maximum stake of £1. Winnings are paid in cash at normal odds, with the additional amount to reach the 50-1 payout credited in free bet builders. These free bets are valid for 30 days, and only deposits made with cards, Apple Pay, and Pay by Bank are eligible. The offer applies to 90 minutes of play and excludes multiples and in-play bets. The offer expires at 5pm BST on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
| Match result | Odds |
|---|---|
| England | 1-4 |
| DR Congo | 13-1 |
| Draw | 4-1 |
The match will be televised live on BBC One.
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Source: racingpost.com
Reuben Castle is the Sports News Writer at News GB, covering rugby union, golf and boxing with six years of reporting experience. He moved from print into digital sport news. He holds a degree in Journalism from Coventry University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Coventry, he follows the Open Championship and amateur boxing. “Accuracy first; the analysis can follow.”
