What time is England v DR Congo? Rare kick-off for Round of 32 tie plus stadium, squad and commentary

Jun 29, 2026 - 12:45

England face DR Congo this week in their highly anticipated Round of 32 clash at a rare kick-off time for the Three Lions.

England advanced top of Group L after a 2-0 victory over Panama on Saturday night.

Jude Bellingham celebrates with his England teammates — Bellingham was the man to break the deadlock against Panama on Saturday night

Thomas Tuchel‘s side have faced various hurdles throughout the competition so far including injury issues to Reece James, Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka.

Additionally, doubts were raised over the squad after they were held to a goalless draw against Ghana.

They head into their knockout opener against a fearless DR Congo who have qualified past the group phase for the first time in their history.

The last World Cup they attended was in 1974 and they have enjoyed their return, earning their first point in the competition against European heavyweights Portugal in matchday 1.

They eventually lost to Colombia in their second game but progressed after convincingly beating Uzbekistan 3-1.

England vs DR Congo: Time and how to follow

England will face the African side in a sudden-death match on Wednesday, July 1.

It will be played at Atlanta Stadium, also known as the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL.

The game will kick off at 5pm BST, which is midday in Atlanta – an unusually early time for a competitive England match.

While there is a possibility for some thundery weather in Georgia on Wednesday, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium has a retractable roof so conditions will not affect the match.

DR Congo celebrated their qualification to the knockout round — DR Congo celebrated their first time qualifying for the knockout rounds at the Atlanta Stadium

The venue has already hosted DR Congo in their final group stage game where they secured their knockout stage qualification.

talkSPORT will have live commentary from the Peach State.

It will be presented by Adrian Durham before commentary from Jim Proudfoot and former England captain Stuart Pearce.

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BBC One and BBC iPlayer will have live television coverage of the match in the UK from 4pm.

Thomas Tuchel coaching — Tuchel will hope for a more clinical England side than when they played against Ghana

England vs DR Congo: Squads

England

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), James Trafford (Man City).

Defenders: Reece James (Chelsea), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), John Stones (Man City), Marc Guehi (Man City), Dan Burn (Newcastle), Nico O’Reilly (Man City), Djed Spence (Tottenham), Trevoh Chalobah (Chelsea).

Midfielders: Declan Rice (Arsenal), Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Kobbie Mainoo (Man Utd), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal).

Forwards: Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Ivan Toney (Al Ahli), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona), Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Noni Madueke (Arsenal).

Manager: Thomas Tuchel

DR Congo

Goalkeepers: Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre AC) , Timothy Fayulu (FC Noah Yerevan), Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege).

Defenders: Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Alex Tuanzebe (Burnley), Arthur Masuaku (RC Lens), Joris Kayembe (Genk) Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock), Dylan Batubinsika (AE Larisa), Gédéon Kalulu (Aris Limassol).

Midfielders: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos Athens), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Meschack Elia (Alanyaspor), Gael Kakuta (Aris Limassol).

Forwards: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids FC), Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al-Jarzia Club), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United).

Manager: Sebastien Desabre

Harry Kane scores against Panama for England — Kane was on target once again at the World Cup – scoring for England on Saturday

England vs DR Congo: Head-to-head

There have been no previous international meetings between the two nations.

Sebastien Desabre has transformed his side and led them to a fourth-place finish at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Since 2022, they have looked defensively solid, securing 29 clean sheets in 57 games.

They also look threatening in front of goal with Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa being the joint-top goalscorer in the group stage, with three 2026 World Cup goals.

Alongside him is the oldest member of the squad, Cedric Bakambu, who is on track to become the country’s all-time record goalscorer.

However, England’s depth and quality may prove too much with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham in fine form.

Additionally, Tuchel is unbeaten in his last 11 fixtures, winning ten and drawing once, yet their only draw came against another African side.