England vs D.R. Congo

England vs DR Congo, the Three Lions favoured in Atlanta The Round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup pits England against DR Congo, at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The Three Lions arrived as Group L winners on seven points: after a 4-2 over Croatia, driven by a Harry Kane brace, they drew 0-0 with Ghana and beat Panama 2-0, tightening up defensively after their spectacular start. DR Congo, by contrast, went through as one of the best third-placed teams in Group K, with a run of real personality: 1-1 with Portugal, 1-1 with Colombia and a 3-1 comeback over Uzbekistan in the final game. The tip under review combines an England win with a game under four goals. English quality against Congolese solidity England have a deep squad and a high-level attack, with Kane leading the line; after the 4-2 over Croatia, though, they showed a more careful face, conceding very little in their next two games. DR Congo are a physical, organised side, hard to break down, able to stand up to Portugal and Colombia thanks to a compact defence. The clash between the Three Lions' quality and the Leopards' solidity is the heart of this tie, with England favoured but required to show patience. The final lineups remain to be confirmed close to kick-off. A new fixture England and DR Congo have no significant precedents, as nations from different confederations that had never met in important contexts. At a World Cup it is a new page, and what matters is only the current profiles: England's greater quality on one side, Congolese compactness on the other. The verdict: England ahead, a contained scoreline The tip combines two consistent ideas. The England win rests on the Three Lions' technical superiority and squad depth, clear favourites against a nonetheless awkward opponent; the under-four-goals condition, meanwhile, finds support in DR Congo's defensive solidity, the more careful face England showed after their opener and the caution typical of knockouts. I'd put the overall probability around 66%. The main risk is twofold: a particularly inspired England running riot beyond the line, or a DR Congo able to make the game so closed that it drifts toward parity. The confidence is fair.