England face the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday, July 1 at Atlanta Stadium in Georgia, a round of 32 clash that sends the winner through to a meeting with the Mexico or Ecuador victors.
In this blog, you will find everything you need to know about how to watch and stream the England vs DR Congo World Cup match online, along with team news, kick off times, broadcast options, squad details, and more.
Key Details
- Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
- Kick-off Time: Noon ET (5 p.m. BST / 5 p.m. WAT Kinshasa / 9 a.m. PT)
- Venue: Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
- Where to Watch: Fox Sports (USA) | BBC One and BBC iPlayer (UK) | SBS (Australia) | Zee5 (India)
Where to Watch England vs DR Congo Football World Cup Match?
Fox Sports holds the US broadcast rights, while BBC One and BBC iPlayer carry the match live and free in the UK as part of the BBC and ITV’s split coverage of England’s knockout games.
SBS covers the fixture in Australia and Zee5 streams it in India, with NBCUniversal’s Telemundo and Universo handling Spanish language coverage in the United States.
BBC One’s broadcast is free to air for UK viewers, while Fox Sports requires a cable package or a Fox streaming subscription.
How to watch England vs DR Congo with a VPN
If England vs DR Congo is unavailable in your region, a VPN unlocks free access to BBC iPlayer, the UK’s official tournament broadcaster.
BBC iPlayer is geoblocked to the UK, so viewers outside the country need a British IP address to access the stream.
Here is a step by step guide:
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app.
- Connect to a UK server to get a British IP address.
- Visit BBC iPlayer and sign in, or create a free account.
- Search for the England vs DR Congo match and start streaming live.
England vs DR Congo Football World Cup in 2026 Team News
England Team News
Thomas Tuchel has overseen an unbeaten run of 11 competitive fixtures since taking charge, with ten wins and a single draw, a start bettered only by Ron Greenwood and Roy Hodgson in England’s managerial history.
Captain Harry Kane became England’s all time leading scorer at the tournament when his header against Panama took him to 11 World Cup goals, and a goal here would draw him level with Geoff Hurst for England knockout stage goals.
England ranked third for possession average in the group stage at 65.3 percent, reflecting Tuchel’s control based approach built around Declan Rice in midfield and Jude Bellingham as the creative focal point.
Elliot Anderson has been a standout performer in the group stage, leading all England players for line breaking passes, possession won, and duels won, a sign of the energy Tuchel wants from his midfield three.
There were no fresh injury concerns reported heading into the round of 32, with Trevoh Chalobah having already stepped in to replace the injured Tino Livramento earlier in the tournament.
DR Congo Team News
Sebastien Desabre named his 26 man squad in May and has built his system around a disciplined defensive structure that frustrated Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal in the group opener.
The Leopards qualified for the World Cup as the second last team to do so, with Fiston Mayele’s late goal sealing their place in the finals after a dramatic qualifying campaign.
Yoane Wissa has been the standout performer of the group stage, scoring three of DR Congo’s four goals at the tournament, a remarkable return given his injury hit club season at Newcastle United.
Brian Cipenga made an instant impact on his World Cup debut against Uzbekistan, completing six dribbles in that match, the second most by any player in a single group game at this tournament.
DR Congo currently ranked 38th for possession average in the group stage, underlining their approach of sitting deep, staying compact, and relying on quick transitions through Wissa and the wide players.
England World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
- Defenders: Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn, Nico OReilly, Djed Spence, Trevoh Chalobah
- Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze
- Attackers: Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke
DR Congo World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo, Timothy Fayulu, Lionel Mpasi
- Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika, Rocky Bushiri, Gedeon Kalulu, Steve Kapuadi, Joris Kayembe, Arthur Masuaku, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan Bissaka
- Midfielders: Theo Bongonda, Brian Cipenga, Meschack Elia, Gael Kakuta, Edo Kayembe, Nathanael Mbuku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngalayel Mukau, Charles Pickel, Noah Sadiki
- Attackers: Cedric Bakambu, Simon Banza, Fiston Mayele, Yoane Wissa
England VS DR Congo Match Preview
England and DR Congo meet for the first time competitively on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium, a venue DR Congo already know well after their comeback win over Uzbekistan there sealed their progression.
England’s path to this point was the toughest test of the four favorites to win Group L, a 4 2 win over Croatia followed by a goalless draw with Ghana before a routine 2 0 win over Panama secured top spot.
DR Congo finished third in a brutal Group K behind Portugal and Colombia, but their draw with Portugal showed they can compete with elite opposition, and they now carry the weight of history as they chase a first ever World Cup knockout win.
Tactical Outlook
England are expected to dominate possession through Rice and Bellingham, looking to stretch DR Congo’s well organized back line with width from Saka and pace from Rashford or Gordon.
DR Congo are likely to sit deep in a compact defensive block, relying on the experience of Premier League regulars like Wan Bissaka and Mbemba to frustrate England before striking on the counter through Wissa.
The key individual matchup is Wissa against England’s central defenders, given his record of three goals in four group stage appearances despite a quiet club season.
England need an early goal to avoid a repeat of the stalemate against Ghana, while DR Congo need their defensive discipline to hold for as long as possible to draw England into mistakes.
Football World Cup in 2026 Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Tue, Jun 30 | France vs Sweden | New Jersey, USA |
| Wed, Jul 1 | Mexico vs Ecuador | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Wed, Jul 1 | England vs DR Congo | Atlanta, USA |
| Wed, Jul 1 | Belgium vs Senegal | Seattle, USA |
| Thu, Jul 2 | USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina | Santa Clara, USA |
| Thu, Jul 2 | Spain vs Austria | Los Angeles, USA |
| Fri, Jul 3 | Portugal vs Croatia | Toronto, Canada |
| Fri, Jul 3 | Switzerland vs Algeria | Vancouver, Canada |
| Fri, Jul 3 | Australia vs Egypt | Arlington, USA |
| Fri, Jul 3 | Argentina vs Cape Verde | Miami, USA |
2026 Football World Cup Preview
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the Football World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
2026 Football World Cup Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded Football World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, this Football World Cup lasts 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in the 2026 Football World Cup
There are 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where games take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match was especially historic. The tournament kicked off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico faced South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in Football World Cup history and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s Football World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The knockout stage will conclude with the final, to be held at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19.
The Stars to Watch in the 2026 Football World Cup
The 2026 Football World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final Football World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his Football World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final Football World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
2026 Football World Cup Knockout Stage: The Road to the Final
The knockout stage of the 2026 Football World Cup is the second and final stage of the competition, played from June 28 to July 19, 2026. The top two teams from each of the twelve groups, along with the best eight third-place teams, have advanced to compete in a single-elimination tournament.
The 2026 World Cup is ready to enter its knockout stage. Here's how the tournament's next phase differs from the group stage. https://t.co/ZUtq2tVWQo
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) June 28, 2026
Football World Cup 2026 Knockout Stage Schedule
| Round | Date | Match / Fixture |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 32 | June 28 | Canada vs. South Africa |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Brazil vs. Japan |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Germany vs. Paraguay |
| Round of 32 | Monday, June 29 | Netherlands vs. Morocco |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | Ivory Coast vs. Norway |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | France vs. Sweden |
| Round of 32 | Tuesday, June 30 | Mexico vs. Ecuador |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | England vs. DR Congo |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | Belgium vs. Senegal |
| Round of 32 | Wednesday, July 1 | USA vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina |
| Round of 32 | Thursday, July 2 | Spain vs. Austria |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Portugal vs. Croatia |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Switzerland vs. Algeria |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Australia vs. Egypt |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Argentina vs. Cape Verde |
| Round of 32 | Friday, July 3 | Colombia vs. Ghana |
⚽ FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 Fixtures ⚽
— World of StatHistics (@Stat_Cult) June 28, 2026
🗓️ Sunday, June 28
🇿🇦 South Africa – Canada 🇨🇦 →
🏟️ Los Angeles Stadium (SoFi)
🗓️ Monday, June 29
🔥 🇧🇷 Brazil – Japan 🇯🇵 →
🏟️ Houston Stadium (NRG)
🇩🇪 Germany – Paraguay 🇵🇾 →
🏟️ Boston Stadium (Gillette)
🇳🇱 Netherlands –… pic.twitter.com/Upoc5irwla
2026 Football World Cup Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Mexico has 3 stadiums like this and still got just 13 matches to host and USA is hosting 78 matches.
— Rahul Raj (@RahulRajVerse) June 28, 2026
Mexico is definitely Robbed😢😭 pic.twitter.com/HMyhQJ1Xhk
Prize Money and Commercial Scale of the 2026 Football World Cup
The prize money for this Football World Cup was confirmed at an official meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 Football World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s Football World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended Football World Cup with 3.6 million fans. That record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
2026 Football World Cup Official Broadcasters
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 Football World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is more than a football tournament; it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest Football World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last Football World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
The match is being played on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at Atlanta Stadium in Georgia, with kick off at noon ET, 5 p.m. BST.
Both teams are competing in the round of 32, the first knockout round of the expanded 48 team tournament, with the winner advancing to face Mexico or Ecuador.
England are unbeaten in 11 competitive fixtures under Thomas Tuchel, having topped Group L with wins over Croatia and Panama plus a draw against Ghana.
Yoane Wissa is DR Congo’s top scorer at the tournament with three goals in the group stage, accounting for 75 percent of the team’s total.
Using a VPN is legal in most countries, though streaming services have their own terms of service, so check local regulations and the broadcaster’s terms before streaming.
