World Cup 2026 · Round of 32
England vs DR Congo Prediction & Betting Tips
England vs DR Congo is the African pick of Wednesday's Round of 32 card and a 5:00 PM WAT kickoff that lands right in primetime for Nigerian fans. England top Group L unbeaten and are huge favourites at around 27/100, while DR Congo have reached the knockouts for only the second time in their history, 52 years after their 1974 (then-Zaire) debut. Our prediction is a controlled 2-0 England win, with the value in the goals and qualification markets rather than the cramped straight price.
England were brilliant in the 4-2 opener against Croatia but stalled against the same kind of disciplined African block we are about to see: a goalless draw with Ghana flagged how easily an organised side can clog their attack for long spells. DR Congo are exactly that side. They held Portugal 1-1, lost narrowly 1-0 to Colombia, then beat Uzbekistan 3-1 to come through Group K, with Newcastle's Yoane Wissa scoring three of their four goals.
There is also a sub-plot the OGN audience will not need spelling out: DR Congo are here because they beat Nigeria on penalties in the CAF playoff. That is reason enough to back the Leopards to make life uncomfortable for England, even if not enough to bet against the favourite at 90 minutes. The smart money is on the way England win, not whether.
- England topped Group L on 7 points - beat Croatia 4-2, drew Ghana 0-0, beat Panama 2-0.
- DR Congo qualified third in Group K - drew Portugal 1-1, lost Colombia 1-0, beat Uzbekistan 3-1.
- Yoane Wissa scored 3 of DR Congo's 4 group-stage goals, joint top African scorer at this tournament.
- Market: England around 27/100, the draw 9/2, DR Congo 11/1; England to qualify is 1/9.
- First ever meeting between the two senior national teams.
Best bets
Form
England top Group L on 7 points but the path was uneven - the 4-2 win over Croatia in their opener showed the attacking ceiling, the 0-0 draw with Ghana flagged how an organised African block can stall them, and the 2-0 win over Panama got the job done without convincing in build-up. DR Congo qualified third in Group K, drawing 1-1 with Portugal (Wissa equalising on the stroke of half-time), losing 1-0 to Colombia, and beating Uzbekistan 3-1 with three second-half goals - Wissa twice, Fiston Mayele once - to seal this tie.
Head-to-head
England and DR Congo have never met in a competitive senior fixture - this is the first ever meeting between the two nations. With no form line to lean on, the cleaner guide is current strength and tournament identity: an England squad packed with elite Premier League talent against a Sebastien Desabre side built on discipline, athleticism and Wissa's pace on the counter.
Team news & likely lineups
Tuesday's press conferences firmed things up. Thomas Tuchel confirmed both Reece James and Jarell Quansah miss out, saying the pair are "getting closer and closer" and should be available "very soon" if England progress - Djed Spence steps in at right-back in the 4-2-3-1, with Ezri Konsa able to slide over as cover. Declan Rice, who had been managed carefully in training, told reporters "I feel good, fit and strong" and returns alongside Elliot Anderson behind Saka, Bellingham, Rashford and Kane. Tuchel pre-empted DR Congo as "very, very compact, very physical, a well-drilled team in a 5-3-2 formation, sometimes a 5-diamond-4" - exactly the kind of shape that reinforces the under. Sebastien Desabre kept it plain on the other side: "It is true we are looking at a difficult match, but in no way insurmountable." The consensus DR Congo XI has Lionel Mpasi in goal; Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Arthur Masuaku as wing-backs; Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe and Steve Kapuadi across the back three; Noah Sadiki, Samuel Moutoussamy and Ngal'ayel Mukau through midfield; and Yoane Wissa alongside Cedric Bakambu up top. Confirmed team sheets land about an hour before the 5:00 PM WAT kickoff.
Key players
Jude Bellingham has been England's big-moment man, with goals against Croatia and Panama, while Harry Kane remains the shortest-priced anytime scorer at the tournament and Bukayo Saka the most direct attacker capable of opening a deep DR Congo block from out wide. For DR Congo, everything funnels through Yoane Wissa: three goals already at this World Cup, sharp from his Newcastle season and the most direct route to a Leopards goal on the counter. Cedric Bakambu brings 21 international career goals as the alternative finisher, and the Wissa vs England back-line duel is the game inside the game.
The verdict
England should win, but the Ghana 0-0 told you exactly how this kind of tie goes - a disciplined African side stalls the favourite's attack until quality, a set piece, or a Kane or Bellingham moment finally tells. Back England paired with the unders rather than the cramped 27/100 straight win, and use Wissa anytime as the value Leopards angle. Our call is England 2-0 in a controlled, slightly nervy win, with the late second giving the scoreline some gloss rather than a goal rush.
Odds & where to bet
England at 27/100 is too short to bet alone. The Racing Post highlight is England & under 3.5 at around 5/6, which matches our 2-0 read; under 2.5 is the bigger-priced version of the same view. Wissa anytime carries genuine value as the DR Congo focal point, and the correct-score 2-0 is the cleanest bigger-priced expression of our exact call. For the best price in naira, we use 1xBet - NLRC licensed, deep markets and live streaming. See the full list on our best World Cup betting sites page.
How to bet England vs DR Congo from Nigeria
Backing this game in naira takes a couple of minutes. Pick an NLRC-licensed site - we use 1xBet for the deepest England vs DR Congo markets and live streaming - then register and deposit instantly via OPay, PalmPay, bank transfer, USSD or card. Find your market (match result, over/under goals, both teams to score, correct score or anytime scorer), add it to your slip, set your stake and place the bet. Most of the big books stream the match live and let you cash out before the final whistle.
New customers chasing extra value can claim the Stake welcome offer - enter code WHALE for a 200% bonus up to $2,000 (about N3M) to put behind your england to win & under 3.5 goals call. 18+, terms apply; only stake what you can afford to lose.
FAQ
Who will win England vs DR Congo?
What is the score prediction for England vs DR Congo?
What is the best bet for England vs DR Congo?
Who is the best bet to score?
Where can I bet on England vs DR Congo in Nigeria?
← All World Cup predictions & tips
18+. Betting involves risk - only stake what you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, take a break. Terms apply to all bonuses; always read the operator's terms before depositing.
