England face DR Congo in the World Cup round of 32 on Wednesday, 17:00 BST, live on BBC One. Tuchel’s men arrived after winning Group B, while the African side slipped into third place with a 2‑1 win over Uzbekistan, a draw against Portugal and a loss to Colombia. The fixture recalls Germany’s unexpected defeat to Paraguay.

Congo have deployed a disciplined 5‑3‑2 throughout the tournament, holding just 38.8% possession compared with England’s 65.7%. Their low‑block sits unusually high, pressing from goal‑kick situations and forcing opponents to play through a compact midfield three. This proactive stance creates moments for England to exploit, especially against a back line that often steps forward.

Tuchel is likely to widen his play, using full‑backs and wingers as wide units to stretch Congo’s wing‑backs across larger distances. By pulling the African press into the channels, England can generate space for midfield runners and reduce the risk of a high‑press error. The game will hinge on whether England can dominate possession while neutralising Congo’s disciplined counter‑attack.