England face DR Congo in the 2026 World Cup round of 32 after the Central African side earned a historic 3‑1 win over Uzbekistan. The victory marked DR Congo’s first knockout appearance since 1974, when they were known as Zaire and lost every match, including a 9‑0 defeat to Yugoslavia. This sets the stage for a tense clash before the match arrives soon.

Under 49‑year‑old Sebastien Desabre, DR Congo turned crisis into consistency, posting 29 clean sheets in 57 games. Desabre’s back‑five proved solid in the first two fixtures, drawing 1‑1 with Portugal before switching to 4‑4‑2 to dispatch Uzbekistan. The strategy underlines a disciplined, counter‑attack‑focused approach that has paid dividends.

Key attackers Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa provide the offensive punch, with Bakambu already on the brink of becoming DR Congo’s record scorer after four qualifiers. Wissa, despite a knee injury, netted three goals in the group stage, earning him joint‑top African status. Their pace threatens England’s backline if they sustain form during the match.

England’s squad will prepare for a test of depth, as DR Congo’s lineup features 31‑year‑old captain Chancel Mbemba and Belgium‑born Noah Sadiki, both club‑hungry in 2025‑26. The match streams on BBC One, 5 Live, and the BBC Sport app, offering fans a clear view of this historic encounter. The clash will test England’s defensive resilience and force the manager to rely on bench players, while DR Congo seeks to cement its growing reputation on the world stage ahead of the match.