Follow England vs DR Congo LIVE in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32. Get live score, goals, lineups, key moments, match stats, and full-time updates.

England take on DR Congo in a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash in Atlanta, with a place in the last 16 on the line. Thomas Tuchel's unbeaten Three Lions will look to raise their level after an unconvincing group-stage campaign, while Sébastien Desabre's DR Congo arrive full of confidence after making history by reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time.
Stay with us for live score updates, confirmed lineups, key moments, goals, match analysis, and more
Live Updates
45' Bellingham denied
On the stroke of halftime, Bellingham rises highest in the box yet again to meet a cross with a powerful header. It looks destined for the back of the net, but Mpasi pulls off another spectacular stop, clawing the header away to preserve DR Congo's lead right before the break!
43' PENALTY DRAMA!Â
Massive controversy! England are absolutely furious! Harry Kane is clean through on a breakaway with just the keeper to beat. Lionel Mpasi rushes out and looks to catch Kane's right foot as the captain tumbles in the box. The England fans scream for a penalty, but the referee waves it away, ruling it a dive! Despite apparent contact on the replay, the official is unmoved.
42' DR Congo go close to a second!
The Leopards nearly double their lead as a dangerous cross from the right finds Yoane Wissa unmarked inside the six-yard box. The forward stretches to apply the finishing touch, but his close-range tap-in crashes against the right side of the crossbar, letting England off the hook.
40 mins: England 0-1 DR CongoÂ
A breathless first half is winding down in Atlanta. After that frantic sequence of near-misses from Rashford and Kane, the tempo has just started to settle slightly. Thomas Tuchel's men are probing for an opening before the halftime whistle, dominating the ball but finding it incredibly tough to breach SĂ©bastien Desabreâs disciplined defensive block.
34'Â Rashford cleared off the Line, Kane denied!
How have England not scored here?! Harry Kane's sliding effort is blocked, and moments later another cross is whipped in from the right. Marcus Rashford latches onto the loose ball on the left side of the box and drills a low shot towards the near post, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka is perfectly positioned to make a brilliant block with his legs on the goal line.
32' Cipenga again
Cipenga is absolutely terrorising the right side of England's defence! The goalscorer showcases brilliant, dazzling footwork down the left flank yet again, easily bypassing his marker to flash a dangerous ball across the face of goal. A frantic, heart-stopping goalmouth scramble follows with the ball bouncing unpredictably inside the penalty box. Fortunately for Thomas Tuchel, a panicked clearance finally spares England's blushes.
30' Bellingham almost scores
Inches away from an equaliser! England finally carve out a massive chance. Declan Rice floats a beautiful, pinpoint ball deep into the penalty box, finding a surging Jude Bellingham. The Real Madrid midfielder connects cleanly, powering a goal-bound header toward the corner, but DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi pulls off a spectacular, flying reflex save to punch it away!
27' Yellow Card: Sadiki Booked for Congo
Noah Sadiki goes into the book after a heavy, late challenge on a surging Djed Spence down the right wing.
22' England 0-1 DR (Hydration Break)
The Leopards are comfortably the better side right now, repeatedly exposing the English defence with dangerous, fluid play down the left flank. Thomas Tuchel's men are uncharacteristically struggling to retain possession, and captain Harry Kane has been entirely isolated, starved of service and completely nowhere in the picture.
Score: England 0 - 1 DR Congo
20'Â Jude Bellingham Booked
Frustration boils over for the Real Madrid man. Jude Bellingham goes into the referee's book after a clumsy, late challenge, sliding into Nathanaël Mbuku from behind.
14'Â England 0-1 DR Congo: Urgency steps up after shock opener
Thereâs a sharp injection of urgency from England now after their sluggish start. Thomas Tuchel's side are immediately trying to force a response down the right flank, with Djed Spence driving forward to link up with Noni Madueke. The Congolese backline remains incredibly disciplined, quickly smothering the attack and conceding only a throw-in.
6' GOAL! CONGO SCORES
Oh my goodness, the stadium has absolutely erupted! Out of nowhere, DR Congo have stunned the Three Lions! Itâs a breathtakingly simple, direct attack. A raking, diagonal ball flies all the way from the center-back position right out to Brian Cipenga on the left wing. Cipenga cuts inside, evades the English backline, and fires it home!
4'Â CLOSE! Bellingham almost blocks Mpasi clearance!
Goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi takes far too long on the ball, allowing a charging Jude Bellingham to close him down in a flash. Mpasi just gets his clearance away, with Bellingham coming within a whisker of blocking it directly into an empty net.
2' : England 0-0 DR CongoÂ
We are just two minutes into this Round of 32 clash, and England have immediate intentions of establishing total control.
Match underway
We are officially underway at the Atlanta Stadium for this historic World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash.
DR Congo lineup
Starting XI: Lionel Mpasi; Arthur Masuaku, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Aaron Wan-Bissaka; Noah Sadiki, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngalâayel Mukau; Brian Cipenga, Yoane Wissa, Nathanael Mbuku
England lineup
Starting XI: Jordan Pickford; Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Nico OâReilly, Marc Guehi; Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson; Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford, Noni Madueke; Harry Kane
How did England and DR Congo reach the Round of 32?
England topped Group L with seven points, finishing unbeaten to book their place in the knockout stage. The Three Lions began with a 4-2 win over Croatia, played out a 0-0 draw against Ghana, and wrapped up the group stage with a 2-0 victory over Panama.
DR Congo advanced to the Round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams after collecting four points in Group K. The Leopards opened with a 1-1 draw against Portugal, suffered a 1-0 defeat to Colombia, and sealed qualification with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan.
DR Congo Predicted Lineup (5-3-2)
Dimitry Bertaud Mpasi (GK); Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, Steve Kapuadi, Arthur Masuaku; Noah Sadiki Mukau, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe; Yoane Wissa, Cédric Bakambu.
England Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Jordan Pickford (GK); Djed Spence, Ezri Konsa, Marc Guéhi, James O'Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice; Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, Marcus Rashford; Harry Kane.
England vs DR Congo: Head-to-Head
It is the first-ever meeting between England and DR Congo in international football. The Three Lions have twice taken on African teams in the knockout stages of a single World Cup before, beating Egypt 1-0 in the 1990 group stage and edging Cameroon 3-2 after extra time in the quarter-finals.
Who will the winner face in the Round of 16?
The winner of the England vs DR Congo clash will take on Mexico in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 after Mexico defeated Ecuador in the Round of 32.
How to watch England vs DR Congo?
- India: 9:30 PM IST â Live on Unite8 Sports 2 (English) and Unite8 Sports 1 (Hindi); live streaming on ZEE5.
- United Kingdom: 5:00 PM BST â BBC One, BBC iPlayer
- DR Congo: 7:00 PM CEST â New World Sport 1, 2, 3, 6 & 7
- United States: 12:00 PM EDT â FOX, FOX One, Telemundo Network, Telemundo App, Peacock
Published: 01 Jul 2026, 09:14 pm IST
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