Live: England faces DR Congo as World Cup knockouts continue

live World Cup updates: England vs DR Congo, Belgium vs Senegal, USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina The Round of 32 continues in North America, with England and DR Congo facing off in Atlanta. Then, we travel to Seattle, where Belgium will lock horns with Senegal, before the US looks to become the third co-host to advance to the Round of 16 when they face Bosnia and Herzegovina in Santa Clara - Check out the full World Cup schedule here in Australian times - ABC Sport podcast: Check out the latest episode here Follow all the action in our live blog below. Submit a comment or question Live updates New: Filters Choose what information you see below by using filters Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 1:49am Injuries mounting for England With AP Injuries are mounting for England, which is missing its first- and second-choice right backs for the round of 32 game against Congo. Reece James is out with a hamstring injury and backup Jarrell Quansah twisted his ankle in England’s 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday. It sees Djed Spence move into cover, but coach Thomas Tuchel is confident James and Quansah will both soon return — so long as England can advance beyond Congo. “They’re getting closer and closer,” Tuchel said. “The race was close even to make it into my squad this time. So, we need to make sure that we have more matches. That is the main focus, and then that will be very soon.” Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 1:46am England coach has no issue with being favourite AP Germany is out of the World Cup. Brazil was pushed to the edge by Japan and the Netherlands was sent packing. Football’s traditional superpowers have been rattled by a combination of fearless underdogs and emerging forces who are shaking things up. And England coach Thomas Tuchel has no issue with it at all. “I think it can calm us down in a way. It’s just narrow margins. It’s just tight football matches and it helps us not to over expect. It helps to put it in the right framework what is happening in this World Cup and in world football,” he said ahead of England’s round of 32 game against Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday. England is the overwhelming favourite to advance against a team that is playing in the knockouts for the first time and is in its first World Cup since 1974. But Tuchel, whose team was criticized after its goalless draw with Ghana in the group stage, said the gap is closing in international soccer. That was evident as four-time world champion Germany lost a penalty shootout to Paraguay. Record five-time champion Brazil needed an added time winner to rally to a 2-1 victory against Japan. Earlier in the tournament Cape Verde held European champion Spain to a goalless draw and Congo drew 1-1 with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. “It’s difficult for any team to break teams down, especially when you arrive as a favourite. Especially when you face teams who have nothing to lose,” Tuchel said. For me and for us it almost helps us to calm our minds, to accept the situation, and make the most of it.” Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 1:43am How England got here England began its group stage promisingly, downing perennial overachievers Croatia 4-2 in an entertaining game in Dallas. But the Three Lions were worryingly flat in a scoreless draw with Ghana, before doing just enough to get past Panama to top Group L. It was a group stage unlikely to have convinced the doubters - but everyone knows champion teams don't peak before the knockout stages. That's what Thomas Tuchel will be telling himself, anyway. Key Event Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 1:42am DR Congo lineup One change for DR Congo, and it's a surprising one, with national team legend Cedric Bakambu dropping out of the team. Young midfielder Ngal'ayel Mukau comes in for the forward. Key Event Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 1:38am England lineup Three changes for England from the side that defeated Panama 2-0 in their final group game. Noni Madueke comes into the side on the right wing, with Bukayo Saka, who is still finding his way back to full fitness, dropping out. It's Djed Spence coming in for Jarell Quansah - who has joined fellow right back Reece James on the English treatment table. And it's Declan Rice returning to the side in midfield, replacing the more attack-minded Morgan Rogers. Marcus Rashfrod continues on the left, Jude Belligngham in the whole, and Harry Kane, of course will lead the line. Key Event Thu 2 Jul 2026 at 1:32am Good morning! Hello and welcome to the next instalment of ABC Sport's online coverage of the FIFA World Cup. We have three mouthwatering Round of 32 ties ahead of us today, with England and Panama facing off at 2am AEST, Belgium and Senegal locking horns at 6am AEST, and cohost USA rounding out the day's action against Bosnia and Herzegovina at 10am AEST. Let's get into it! [Image text:] ES9 PANAMA PEACE