Sport | Football

England face DR Congo hurdle, USA prepare for World Cup moment in spotlight

Jul 1, 2026 - 1 min read

<p class="text-align-justify" style="border-color: currentcolor; margin: 0px 0px 1.5em; text-align: justify; color: rgb(40, 48, 59); font-family: "IBM Plex Serif", serif;"><span style="border-color: currentcolor; font-weight: bolder;">England take on the Democratic Republic of Congo at the World Cup on Wednesday looking for a place in the last 16 while co-hosts the USA prepare for the biggest match in their football history.</span></p><div class="mb-5 hide-for-print flex justify-center " style="border-color: currentcolor; margin: 0px 0px 20px; color: rgb(40, 48, 59); font-family: "IBM Plex Serif", serif;"><div id="js-dfp-tag-en_photo_banner" data-google-query-id="CLvroMemsZUDFc0BpAYd2EE7fA" style="border-color: currentcolor;"></div></div>

<div><div>Two European powerhouses have already been ejected from the tournament after Germany and the Netherlands were beaten on penalties in the last 32 by Paraguay and Morocco respectively -- and England don't want to be next.</div><div><br></div><div>Google News LinkFor all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.</div><div>The Three Lions are aiming to end a 60-year wait to collect a major trophy, but their coach Thomas Tuchel warned his players that they are facing a team in Atlanta with nothing to lose.</div><div><br></div><div>"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 told reporters on Tuesday.</div><div><br></div></div>

<div>The German cautioned though that "the games so far in round of 32 speak a very clear language. It's narrow, narrow margins."</div><div><br></div><div>England will rely on their world-class duo of Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane although influential defender Reece James misses the game through injury.</div><div><br></div><div>DR Congo have scoured the footballing world for players with links to the vast African nation.</div>