DR Congo manager’s tactics may provide tougher challenge for England than Opta stats suggest

England and DR Congo meet in their 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32 match on Wednesday, July 1, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. ET from Atlanta Stadium.

Jacques Kalenga moved to England from DR Congo in 1999, and now works for the charity Tosalisana Congolese Community of Sheffield.

Thomas Tuchel is relishing the ‘pressure’ that comes with the knockout stages of the World Cup but the England manager is wary of the threat DR Congo pose

Two European powerhouses have already been ejected from the tournament after Germany and the Netherlands were beaten on penalties in the round of 32 by Paraguay and Morocco, respectively – and England do not want to be next.