England vs DR Congo
You can just imagine the headlines now can’t you – and it wouldn’t make pleasant reading/viewing/listening.
Put simply, it would be unthinkable if England, the country which gave the game of football to the world, were knocked out of the World Cup 2026 by the Democratic Republic of Congo – a nation ranked 45th in the official FIFA rankings at the start of the tournament.
What would follow, if the extraordinary scenario for many England fans became a reality, would make any celebrations in Central Africa seem tame by comparison.
Those views are not deemed to be disrespectful, incidentally; it’s just that the football fraternity expects the Three Lions, ranked the fourth best international side around, to triumph.
I agree but I don’t think they’ll have as much to spare as our Sbotop World Cup 2026 betting odds are suggesting.
Talking Points
That is because Congo have simply nothing to lose.
A few hours after England were taking care of Panama, they ran out 3-1 winners over Uzbekistan with Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa netting twice and Fiston Mayele also finding the net as they came from behind.
It was their first ever World Cup victory and earned them this place in the last 32.
Back in 1974, when they were known as Zaire, their three group-stage defeats included a 9-0 hammering by Yugoslavia. They had not been to a World Cup since, until now, but head coach Sebastien Desabre has transformed a team who were in crisis when he took over nearly four years ago.
Minnows they may remain but, as they showed against Portugal in the opening match – despite enjoying just 24.6 per cent of possession over more than 100 minutes – and during a narrow defeat to Colombia, they have some names who are experienced enough to prove tricky opponents for even the most accomplished international sides.
As well as Wissa, the Leopards have players who will be well known to a wider audience such as veteran attacker Cédric Bakambu, one-time Man Utd prospect Axel Tuanzebe and wing-backs Arthur Masuaku and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (an FA Cup winner with Utd two years ago and recently relegated from the Premier League with West Ham).
Whatever happens in the rest of this tournament, the nation from Central Africa, the fourth most populous country in Africa, have some World Cup 2026 highlights to cherish but they could yet claim the biggest scalp of all.
As for Thomas Tuchel’s men, on the basis of their three performances to date, it’s hard to be sure how far they can progress in this competition, although their second half display against Croatia suggested plenty.
The stars of that performance were the same duo who shone against Panama, captain Harry Kane and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham. It was the latter who broke the deadlock before crossing for Kane to make the game safe with his 11th World Cup goal – taking him one ahead of Gary Lineker (although Lineker never faced opponents ranked as lowly as some of the sides England have met over the last three World Cups).
The quality in the midfield and attacking ranks is not in doubt though. It’s at the back where they have looked vulnerable at times and the fears of some of the critics of Tuchel’s squad have been highlighted in recent days with the emergency right-back Jarell Quansah, deputising for the injured Reece James, forced off in the second half against Panama with an ankle injury.
Tuchel is optimistic that the Bayer Leverkusen defender will be back up and running in a few days, but the same is unlikely to be true for the injury-plagued James, so Djed Spence will almost certainly start out wide on Wednesday night.
Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice is expected to start and Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka could well keep their places in the XI at the expense of Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke.
Congo should be at full strength for a match they are not expected to win so, in many ways, can’t lose.
History
This will be the first ever meeting between the two nations.
Betting Tip
Take a look at our odds and you’d think Congo had not a hope.
They are priced 1X2 @ 11.00 and Asian Handicap +1.25 @ 2.36, in stark contrast to England 1X2 @ 1.28 and Asian Handicap -1.75 @ 2.14.
The draw after 90 minutes is on offer @ 5.20.
This could be full of goals, although I actually think total goal 0-1 @ 3.15 is more likely than 2-3 @ 1.97, 4-6 @ 3.33 and over 2.75 @ 2.20.
I think England will win the day but it will take until the second half before they emerge victorious so my ** tip is Half Time Full Time Draw Home @ 4.19.
A SHORT EXPLANATION ON HOW OUR (⭐) BETS ARE WORTH:
⭐⭐⭐= €20 (HIGHLY CONFIDENT)
⭐⭐= €10 (CONFIDENT)
⭐= €5 (SOMEWHAT CONFIDENT)
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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