Thomas Tuchel: England are prepared for difficult World Cup last-32 clash with DR Congo despite right-back woes
England take on DR Congo in the World Cup last 32 in Atlanta on Wednesday afternoon; boss Thomas Tuchel says his side are preparing for a tough challenge; the winner will face Mexico or Ecuador in the round of 16
Wednesday 1 July 2026 01:05, UK
England manager Thomas Tuchel has said his side are prepared for DR Congo "to make their lives difficult" in Wednesday's World Cup last-32 clash in Atlanta.
The two nations meet at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with the winners taking on either co-hosts Mexico or Ecuador in the last 16 of the tournament.
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However, the Central African nation have proved obdurate opponents so far at the World Cup, holding Portugal to a 1-1 draw in their opening Group K clash, then narrowly losing 1-0 to Colombia, before securing their place in the knockouts thanks to a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan to finish as one of the eight best third-place teams.
And Tuchel said he and his players were under no illusions about the challenge facing them on Wednesday afternoon:
"I think we're facing a very, very compact, very physical team, a well-drilled team in a expectedly 5-3-2 formation, sometimes a 5-diamond-4 formation, especially with a ball, but of the ball a 5-3-2," said the German in the pre-match press conference.
"Compact block, disciplined defending, change between high press and low block, very devoted, very disciplined, well-drilled.
"So very dangerous in counterattacks, very direct in the approach of play, can play, not shy to play long balls into the depth, make it a running game, make it a game into second balls.
"A team that didn't allow a lot of chances, didn't allow a lot of goals against teams like Colombia and Portugal. So that's basically what waits for us. We know where we are. We know that it's now the moment to find ways to win. It's the moment to dig in. It's the moment to be patient and to do what we do on highest level.
"They have the capacity to make their life difficult for everyone. They did it to Portugal and Colombia. So the mindset is clear and we're ready for tomorrow."
England head into the clash with a virtually fully-fit squad, apart from missing right-backs Reece James and Jarell Quansah with injury, although Tuchel thinks the duo will be back to fitness "very soon".
"They're getting closer and closer," he confirmed. "I saw both of them on the pitch. In the nature of the injury, Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reece, but the race was close even to make it into a match squad this time.
"So we need to make sure that we have more matches. That is the main focus and then they will be available very soon."
Djed Spence could be deployed on the right against DR Congo, while Ezri Konsa, a key member of Tuchel's squad since he took charge, could shift over from his standard centre-back role.
Tuchel said of his defensive options: "First of all, I trust my players. I've seen them since weeks, I picked them and that's what football is all about. You have injuries.
"It's not worth to be too long upset about it and focus on the problem. Find the solution, this is team sport.
"We would love to have Reece with us, we would love to have Jarell with us, but they're injured at the moment so other players will step up and we will push this over the line tomorrow as a team no matter what happens."
While James and Quansah had to follow individual programmes on Tuesday, there was more positive news on key midfielder Declan Rice as he joined the remaining members of the squad in training.
The Arsenal star was withdrawn as a precaution in the second half of the group opener against Croatia and later revealed he had been dealing with neural pain in his hamstring since Christmas.
Rice picked up a knock against Ghana and was an unused substitute against Panama, but the midfielder has allayed concerns over fitness ahead of the DR Congo encounter.
"I'm good, genuinely, I'm good," he said. "I know there's been one (concern) over my hamstring, which has been an issue, but that's not a problem because I'm still here training, I'm playing. I'm fine.
"I got a dead calf in the last minute of the Ghana game. The guy whacked me and it literally blew up for like three days, so that was just unlucky. It wasn't actually a calf problem.
"I'm managing myself really well. I feel good, fit and strong. It's the World Cup and missing out the other day [isn't a problem].
"We have a squad of 26 who are unbelievable and can play. Kobbie [Mainoo] can play, Jordan [Henderson] can play. Morgan [Rogers] came in and Jude [Bellingham] played as the number eight.
"If it means that sometimes I have to miss out because we have other players who can play against a certain opposition, I'm fine with that, as long as we keep going and winning matches."
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Pickford: You have to be prepared for anything
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford said that England were prepared for Wednesday's tie to go all the way to a penalty shootout.
"You have to be prepared for anything, knockout football, anything can happen, we as England want to win in 90 minutes," said the Everton goalkeeper.
"But if it takes 120, or penalties, we are prepared. We have done all the training and we are ready for the game."
