England vs DR Congo: Five key battles to watch out for in FIFA World Cup 2026

Can a robust Congolese defence keep English pride, Harry Kane & star Bellingham quiet?

Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) in Georgia, United States of America, gears up to host the Round of 32 fixtures of the FIFA World Cup 2026 where 1966 Champions England and African outfit DR Congo lock horns in what is set to be a thrilling contest.

England topped Group L, and they boast the most valuable squad in the FIFA World Cup 2026, after France. They are led by the experienced Thomas Tuchel. The team looks solid upfront with both Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham are in terrific form. Declan Rice is expected to be back in the starting lineup.

Congo finished third in Group K after a big 3-1 win over Uzbekistan in the last game. They lost narrowly against Colombia and also managed to hold Portugal to a 1-1 draw. They have a brilliant team, and most of their players have European pedigrees, competing in top European leagues.

This is set to be a closely contested fixture, with key player battles determining the outcome. Will England’s offensive setup manage to beat the resolute defensive backline of DR Congo, or will the African side get the better of the Three Lions? We shall find that out soon.

5. Jordan Pickford vs Lionel Mpasi-Nzau

The Everton custodian has agile reflexes and has so far kept two clean sheets in three games, and even in one-on-one situations, Pickford has stood tall for the Three Lions. Pickford is a big match player who regularly plies his trade with Wissa and other Congolese players in the English Premier League.

The former PSG reserves goalkeeper will be up against a lethal and ruthless English attack. The Le Havre custodian will have a busy day at work, and a lot will depend on his patience and composure in high-pressure situations when England makes consecutive attacks in short intervals, just like they did against Croatia.

4. Marc Guehi vs Yoane Wissa

Guehi is a highly disciplined, composed, and structurally sound modern central defender. The former Chelsea prodigy rarely resorts to reckless physical challenges and intercepts deep diagonal balls cleanly. Marc Guehi rose to prominence in the Euro 2024 after a world-class performance for England defensively.

Wissa is one of the major protagonists in Congo’s fairytale story in the FIFA World Cup 2026. He has scored three goals so far and will be keen to unleash his beast against an English defence led by Marc Guehi and Ezri Konsa. Wissa has a lot of experience playing in the English top flight with Brentford and Newcastle.

3. Ezri Konsa vs Cedric Bakambu

Ezri Konsa has played every single minute for England in the FIFA World Cup 2026. He has been a rock-solid presence in England’s defence, having managed to keep two clean sheets and will be keen to get another one to propel England to the Round of 16. He has recently come after winning the Europa League with Villa.

He is yet to score a goal so far in the FIFA World Cup, but once he gets going, the Real Betis lad is an indomitable force. He has too much experience playing in Europe for clubs like Galatasaray, Olympiacos, Marseille and Villareal. 

2. Marcus Rashford vs Aaron Wan Bissaka

The West Ham United fullback is arguably one of the finest and highly respected Congolese players in European football fraternity. He honed his skills early at Crystal Palace before making a move to the hallowed Old Trafford with Manchester United.

His sheer presence out wide allows DR Congo’s central backline of Mbemba and Tuanzebe to confidently remain compact. Rashford, on the other hand, did enough in the last game to keep his spot in the next game over Anthony Gordon and will be looking forward to accelerating through the wings to make box entries.

1. Harry Kane vs Axel Tuanzebe

Harry Kane has surpassed the legendary Gary Lineker to become England’s all-time leading goalscorer in World Cup history with 11 goals. The Bayern Munich striker is coming after a highly productive spell in the Bundesliga.

England captain Kane has scored three goals so far in three games, including a brace against Croatia. Tuanzebe has a lot of experience playing in the English Premier League for Manchester United and Burnley, and must keep Kane quiet to let Congo have any chance of a potential upset.

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