Follow updates from the round of 32 clash – including the build-up, analysis, and live text commentary of the game.
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The round of 32 has already seen Paraguay shock Germany with a penalty shootout win, and Morocco overcame the Netherlands the same way.
Desabre was asked if his players have practised spot kicks.
“We practise penalties because we are professional, and it’s one possibility to win the game with a penalty,” he replied.
“We worked on that, and we won against Nigeria [in qualifying] on penalties. Also, we won in Egypt in, not the last AFCON, but in the AFCON in the Ivory Coast, and we have a lot of possibilities for penalties.”
DR Congo coach Sebastien Desabre said all the pressure is on England for their World Cup last-32 meeting on Wednesday, as his side have already achieved their targets.
In their first appearance at a World Cup for 52 years, the Leopards secured their first win in the competition, and with it, a place in the knockout stages by beating Uzbekistan 3-1 on Saturday.
“We don’t have much to lose, but it is also a source of motivation. If we’re here, it’s because we deserve it,” Desabre told his pre-match news conference in Atlanta.
“Our World Cup is already a success relative to our goals.
“The pressure is on the England team. They need to keep moving forward towards their objectives.”
England have so far been reliant on moments of magic from Kane and Bellingham, but Tuchel said he was not overly concerned about having to depend on the two standout players in his squad.
“It would be ideal [if others came to the fore], but honestly I have no problem if the two continue,” he added.
“That’s what key players do, and that’s what key players do in key moments.”
Two European powerhouses are already out after Germany and the Netherlands were beaten on penalties in the last 32 by Paraguay and Morocco, respectively.
Tuchel said those exits, and narrow wins for Brazil and Canada in the last 32, show what to expect against a DR Congo side that pushed Portugal and Colombia during the group stage.
“We expect from us what we expect, but we respect the opponent, we know about their quality,” added Tuchel.
“The games so far in round of 32 speak a very clear language. It’s narrow, narrow margins.
“It makes me personally more calm than it makes me more nervous because that’s just what it is.”
Thomas Tuchel has been hired to get an England side that lost in the final of the past two European Championship finals over the line – and the former Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Chelsea boss was again bullish over his side’s chances.
“I feel it is a privilege to be in these situations. I think we can just accept it, we are the favourites [against DR Congo],” Tuchel said at his pre-match news conference on Tuesday.
“We play against our own expectations, we expect from us to go further than round of 32, that’s just how it is, so why would our fans not expect it? Why would the public opinion not be the same?” added the 52-year-old German.
DR Congo do not have any suspensions or reported injury issues.
Predicted starting XI:
(5-3-2): Mpasi (goalkeeper); Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kapuadi, Masuaku; Mukau, Moutoussamy, Kayembe; Wissa, Bakambu
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Tuchel confirmed that Reece James and Jarell Quansah will both miss Wednesday’s match due to injury, with Djed Spence likely to come into the side.
Declan Rice is likely to start after being rested against Panama.
Predicted starting XI:
(4-2-3-1): Pickford (goalkeeper); Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; Kane
Mexico turned on the style at their iconic Azteca Stadium on Tuesday, brushing Ecuador aside 2-0 to break their FIFA World Cup knockout curse dating back 40 years.
The round-of-32 match was delayed for an hour due to stormy weather, and when it started, the co-hosts flew out of the blocks, mounting wave after wave of attacks.
In a supercharged atmosphere, Julian Quinones gave Mexico a deserved lead midway through the first half with a thunderous strike and then turned provider for Raul Jimenez.
Ecuador desperately needed to wrest back the momentum after the break, but struggled to shift through the gears, with the home side largely in control.
Mexico had not won a World Cup knockout game since 1986, when it last hosted the tournament.
Tuesday’s win means Mexico are now unbeaten in 10 World Cup games at the Azteca and will fancy their chances against England or the Democratic Republic of Congo in the round of 16.
Hello and welcome to Al Jazeera’s live coverage of England vs DR Congo in the last 32 of the 2026 World Cup.
England are aiming to end a 60-year wait to win a major tournament, but have got off to an unconvincing start in the United States.
A 4-2 victory over Croatia was followed by a failure to break down Ghana in a 0-0 draw.
Goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane ensured there was not another slip-up against Panama in a 2-0 win that secured top spot in Group L, but England often laboured during that game.
DR Congo could pose a stiff challenge – they finished as the best third-place team in the group stage.
The Congolese opened with a stunning draw against Portugal and then rallied past Uzbekistan for a 3-1 victory in their group-stage finale to advance.
Cohosts Mexico await the winner in the last 16.
I’m Patrick Keddie, and I’ll bring you all the pre-match build-up, analysis and photo coverage of the game.
Rohan Sharma will provide the team news as soon as the lineups are announced and will take you through the minute-by-minute live commentary.
Title contenders England, led by Harry Kane, face Yoane Wissa’s DR Congo, as the teams fight for a place in the last-16.
Winning the whole tournament might be a stretch, but USA must look to regain momentum against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Argentina’s Messi is level on goals with France’s Mbappe as World Cup favourites look to power through the knockouts.
Adverse weather does not dampen Mexico’s party as the cohosts storm into the last 16 by beating Ecuador.
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