Ahead of the England vs DR Congo last 32 World Cup clash, Last Word on Football brings you the Three Lions predicted lineup and latest team news. In what will be an historic game (they have never faced each other), a place in the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup is at stake. England are clear favourites to progress, but will need to be wary against a team with nothing to lose.
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England vs DR Congo: Three Lions Predicted Lineup and Latest Team News
Date: Wednesday, July 1st, 2026
Venue: Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Kick-off: 17:00 GMT, 12 pm local
Last meeting: This is the first-ever meeting between the two teams
Referee: Adham Makhadmeh
Current odds:
England Team News
Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel has a headache to deal with at right back. At present, England have no fit right-backs with Reece James and Jarell Quansah expected to be missing and Tino Livramento returning home on the eve of the tournament. Djed Spence, who is in the squad as a left-back, is expected to play, but Tuchel could also move Ezri Konsa and bring back John Stones.
Tuchel said: “Naturally, of course [I am worried about the right-back situation]. We have another injury in the position. It will be a tight race for Reece James and a tight race for Jarell Quansah, but it is our job to find solutions and we will do.”
Elsewhere, Declan Rice will return to the starting eleven, and there could also be a place for his Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka, who is pushing for a return to the team. Jude Bellingham will return to his normal number 10 role, with Marcus Rashford likely to keep his place ahead of Anthony Gordon.
England vs DR Congo: Three Lions Predicted Lineup
Pickford
Spence
Konza
Guehi
O’Reilly
Anderson
Rice
Saka
Bellingham
Rashford
Kane
Featured image courtesy of Imago/DeFodi Images
