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England to face DR Congo in FIFA World Cup round of 32 on Wednesday
England will meet DR Congo at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday at 17:00 BST. The match marks the round of 32 in the 2026 tournament. England advanced as Group L winner after three group-stage results.
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England will play DR Congo in the FIFA World Cup round of 32 on Wednesday at 17:00 BST inside Atlanta Stadium. The closed-roof venue, which cost 1.6 billion dollars, will protect players from Atlanta heat and humidity. England reached the knockout stage by finishing first in Group L.
The team opened the tournament with a training camp in Miami, then recorded wins over Croatia and Panama around a 0-0 draw with Ghana. England enters the match without right-backs Reece James and Jarell Quansah. Both players are recovering from injuries sustained earlier in the tournament.
Coach Thomas Tuchel said the pair are getting closer to fitness, with Quansah slightly ahead. The absences leave Djed Spence as the only available specialist right-back. England conceded 13 shots in a 4-2 group-stage win.
Tuchel noted that recent results, including Germany's penalty loss to Paraguay and the Netherlands' elimination by Morocco, have sharpened the squad's focus on narrow margins.
