Overview
- England play DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday for a place in the last 16, a match that follows an unbeaten but underwhelming group stage.
- Manager Thomas Tuchel is expected to have Declan Rice available after a rest, while Reece James is ruled out with a hamstring injury and Jarell Quansah is a fitness doubt with an ankle problem.
- Former coach Mick Brown and other critics have argued England’s squad lacks natural creative midfield passers, a concern after matches that showed difficulty breaking down low, defensive blocks.
- DR Congo have reached the knockouts thanks to late comebacks and a squad built largely from players born abroad—20 of 26 squad members were born outside the country, many in France—so they are a compact, transition-threat opponent.
- Mexico beat Ecuador 2-0 at the Azteca and will host the Round-of-16 match, where loud home support and high altitude could materially affect the winner’s chances and travel planning for the remainder of the tournament.