England vs DR Congo World Cup Prediction, Odds & Betting Tips (July 01, 2026)

🥇 England vs DR Congo Prediction

We are going to kick off our England v DR Congo preview with our big match prediction. Given England’s issues with being a ball-dominant team so far in this year’s tournament, how they get on in this round of 32 clash with DR Congo is going to be fascinating. England has struggled against teams that have sat in and looked to be a threat on the break in Ghana and Panama during the group stage, and it will be no shock to see DR Congo adopt similar tactics.

These are the tactics the African side have adopted against bigger teams like Portugal and Colombia, and they have worked to an extent. They drew 1-1 with Portugal, causing Roberto Martinez’s team issues on the break, while an inspired performance from their keeper Lionel Mpasi nearly brought another draw against Colombia before a late Daniel Munoz winner for the South Americans. They have the potential to frustrate England, and if the goalie is in the kind of form he has been in, it could be a long match for the Three Lions. They got the job done against Panama through Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane, and it may take a moment from one of those two to conjure the winner in what should be a hard-fought tussle between these two sides.

England don’t look to have the players that can unlock these low blocks through any smart, intricate tactical plans, with the team over-reliant on moments of magic from Bellingham and set plays to score their goals. That may be enough to get over the line against their Group L opponents and even DR Congo, but moving forward it will not be.

Unlike Panama, who opened England up on a couple of occasions but didn’t have anyone capable of finishing, the DR Congo do have a forward in form, with Yoann Wissa joining Kane on three goals for the tournament so far. They have shown already they are capable of finding the net against a so-called bigger team, but over the course of the game England should just have enough to get through. It may even take extra time; such is the difficulty England may have in breaking DR Congo down, but our England v DR Congo prediction is for England to get through to the last 16.

🎈 England vs DR Congo Betting Odds

When we look at the latest online betting odds for this England v DR Congo match, it shows Thomas Tuchel’s men as overwhelming favourites to get through. That can only be on reputation alone because, on form, England have done nothing in this tournament to warrant such a gap in the market.

England can be backed at around 1.29 to win, while the DR Congo are available at 12.75 to win. A more appealing market for fans of sports betting might be to back one of the sides to qualify.

England to get through are priced at 1.11, while the DR Congo are currently at odds of around 6.90.

Below we have listed the best England v DR Congo betting odds with five of the best online bookmakers available to Irish betting fans.

Result

England to Win

1.27

1.28

1.29

1.29

1.29

DR Congo to Win

11.50

12.00

12.75

12.75

12.75

Draw

5.25

5.00

5.60

5.60

5.60

Both Teams to Score

2.58

2.50

2.65

2.65

2.65

Over 2.5 Goals

1.89

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

Result

England to Win

1.27

1.28

1.29

1.29

1.29

DR Congo to Win

11.50

12.00

12.75

12.75

12.75

Draw

5.25

5.00

5.60

5.60

5.60

Both Teams to Score

2.58

2.50

2.65

2.65

2.65

Over 2.5 Goals

1.89

1.90

1.90

1.90

1.90

🔮 England Squad Form

England have flattered to deceive so far, with the first 20 minutes of the second half against Croatia the only truly impressive period for Thomas Tuchel’s team. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have done the heavy lifting, with five of their six goals, while Declan Rice will be vital in helping them to be more secure against DR Congo’s counter-attacking threat.

England Players to Watch

Below we will look at three players that will be key to England’s chances of beating DR Congo.

• Declan Rice: The Arsenal man missed the Panama game but is vital in his work rate and ability off the ball from a defensive point of view. His set-piece deliveries are also vital for a side that is not the most creative from open play.
• Jude Bellingham: England’s best player in this World Cup so far has scored 2 and assisted 1 during the group stages. His performances thus far have made a mockery of the doubts that were swirling around his involvement pre-tournament.
• Harry Kane: His goal against Panama made him the highest-scoring English player at World Cups with 11. He has not been completely at it so far in the tournament, but if he can continue putting the ball in the back of the net, Tuchel won’t care.

🧨 DR Congo Squad Form

DR Congo made it through as one of the best-placed 3rd place finishers during the group phase with their draw against Portugal and win over Uzbekistan sealing their place. Yoane Wissa has three goals to his name, while goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi was inspirational against Columbia, producing a string of saves to keep the score line down. They will need both those players as well as their midfielders, such as Noah Sadiki, to be at the top of their games to compete with England on July 1st.

DR Congo Players to Watch

Below are three players that could be crucial to DR Congo’s chances of causing a shock against England.

• Lionel Mpasi: The Le Havre keeper was almost unbeatable against Columbia, with Daniel Munoz’s deflected effort the only shot to get past him. He might need to be ready for another busy day against England, if England’s attacking players finally click into gear.
• Noah Sadiki: The Sunderland midfield dynamo was brilliant for the Wearsiders in his debut Premier League season and will bring energy and work rate to his team’s midfield against England.
• Yoane Wissa: Wissa’s 3 goals have been vital in the DR Congo’s campaign so far. He will know the England players from his time in the Premier League and will fancy his chances of adding to his tally of 12 goals in 42 DR Congo appearances.

🪄 England vs DR Congo Predicted Lineups

With regard to the England v DR Congo lineups, below are the teams that both nations sent out in their respective final group stage matches.