If you are looking for a dark horse in the knockout stages, forget the usual suspects. Look instead at the Leopards patient, relentless and ready to pounce when it matters most.
DR Congo arrive at their World Cup last-32 clash against England in Atlanta as massive underdogs on paper. But anyone who has watched the Leopards across this tournament will know that Sebastien Desabre’s side are far more dangerous than their underdog billing suggests. Thomas Tuchel has been warned.
1. DR Congo Already Proved They Can Hurt Top Teams
Portugal entered this tournament as one of the pre-tournament favourites. They left their encounter with DR Congo licking their wounds. Cristiano Ronaldo was shackled throughout, with a combination of captain Chancel Mbemba and Burnley’s Axel Tuanzebe keeping him almost entirely quiet. Joao Neves’ sixth-minute header was Portugal’s only shot on target in the entire match.
Yoane Wissa’s headed goal capped a performance that many observers felt deserved all three points. DR Congo earned a hard-fought draw against one of Europe’s elite sides and were arguably the better team.
Against Colombia, DR Congo’s defensive shape was tested more severely, and they eventually conceded late. But goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi produced an inspired performance to keep Colombia’s attackers at bay for long stretches of the game, underscoring just how difficult this team is to break down.
The Leopards then beat Uzbekistan to make history qualifying for the World Cup knockout stage for the first time ever.
2. Familiar Faces: Premier League Connections in the DR Congo Squad
⚽ DR Congo Players With English Football Links
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka – West Ham (born in Croydon, south London)
- Axel Tuanzebe – Burnley (grew up in Rochdale; ex-Manchester United)
- Arthur Masuaku – Lens (ex-West Ham & Sunderland)
- Chancel Mbemba – Lille (ex-Newcastle United)
- Noah Sadiki – Sunderland
- Edo Kayembe – Watford
- Gael Kakuta – AE Larissa (ex-Chelsea)
- Yoane Wissa – Newcastle United
- Aaron Tshibola – Kilmarnock (ex-Aston Villa & Nottingham Forest, born in east London)
This is not a group of anonymous players unfamiliar with English football and its intensity. Several of them grew up in England, played in England, and know exactly what it takes to compete at the highest level of the Premier League. Wan-Bissaka was even included in a Gareth Southgate England squad back in 2019. There is also DR Congo heritage within the England camp itself centre-back Ezri Konsa would have been eligible to represent the Leopards.
3. Desabre’s Defensive Blueprint Is Exactly What England Struggle Against
Under Desabre’s four-year reign, DR Congo have never been beaten by more than a single goal. That is not luck — it is the product of a clear, disciplined defensive philosophy applied consistently across all competitions.
The Leopards find their greatest success in low-scoring games, having scored one goal or fewer in two-thirds of their matches. Desabre sets up with a back five, three disciplined midfielders and a front two, deploying wing-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Arthur Masuaku in a conservative, compact shape. The creative responsibility largely falls to the midfield rather than the wide areas.
DR Congo are more than happy to surrender possession, inviting opponents onto their defensive block before hitting back on the counter. According to FIFA’s own style metrics, England are one of just four teams at this World Cup whose playing style differs most from DR Congo’s meaning this is almost the worst possible stylistic matchup for Tuchel’s side.
📊 England have 0 goals against low-block defences at World Cup 2026 and DR Congo sit in a low-to-mid block for more than half of their out-of-possession time.
The blueprint for frustrating England has already been laid by Ghana. As their group game wore on, England’s lack of penetration and creativity offered Ghana growing hope, even if they couldn’t convert their own counter-attacking moments. DR Congo are far better organised defensively than Ghana and far more experienced at making opponents pay for their impatience.
4. Do Not Underestimate Yoane Wissa
DR Congo’s conservative shape does not mean they lack attacking bite. Quite the opposite and Yoane Wissa is the proof.
The Newcastle United forward has scored three goals in three matches at this World Cup, matching Harry Kane’s tally and bettering Cristiano Ronaldo’s return. After netting in the opening group game against Portugal, Wissa struck twice against Uzbekistan a remarkable return that has already surpassed his entire Newcastle Premier League output threefold since his £55 million move to St James’ Park.
Wissa even missed the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year as a gesture of goodwill to Newcastle, making his World Cup impact all the more impressive given his limited recent match sharpness.
Alongside Wissa, Desabre has used Real Betis striker Cedric Bakambu as his second forward option, though Bakambu has yet to register a shot on target at the tournament. The more intriguing alternative is Fiston Mayele, the Pyramids forward who won the men’s Interclub African Player of the Year award and provided a composure in front of goal that Bakambu has struggled to replicate when introduced from the bench.
5. Desabre Has Already Shown He Can Adapt Tactically
One of the questions surrounding DR Congo heading into the tournament was whether Desabre could adapt if his initial plan was not working. Against Uzbekistan, he answered it convincingly.
Switching from a back five to a flat back four, he introduced wide forwards Nathan Mbuku and Brian Cipenga, adding a new dimension of width and directness to the attack. The change paid off immediately, with Congo winning the game comfortably to advance to the knockout stage.
Both players are now pushing for starting spots, but having already demonstrated they can change a game from the bench, England’s defenders will need to be alert to the threat of fresh legs and new shapes in the second half.
6. The Historical Weight of This Match for DR Congo
Beyond the tactical and technical dimensions, there is an emotional and historical layer to Wednesday’s game that should not be overlooked.
When DR Congo then known as Zaire competed at the 1974 World Cup, they became the first sub-Saharan African country ever to qualify for the tournament. More than 50 years later, after a 52-year absence from the World Cup, the Leopards are back and now playing in the knockout rounds for the very first time in their history.
This match represents the furthest DR Congo has ever gone in a World Cup. The entire nation will be watching, willing the Leopards to produce the biggest result in their footballing history. Against an England side with its own injury worries and tactical questions, that motivation should not be dismissed as a minor factor.
England vs DR Congo: The Verdict
England are rightly favourites. The quality gap across the two squads is real. But DR Congo are not here to make up the numbers they are here to defend, frustrate and strike when the moment comes. Wissa is in the form of his life. Desabre has a gameplan that has already troubled elite opposition. And the Leopards have nothing to lose.
For Tuchel, cracking the low block remains England’s most pressing unsolved problem at this tournament. If DR Congo can hold England scoreless or stay within one goal deep into the second half, the pressure will build rapidly and the Leopards have the personnel to make something happen on the counter.
England have been warned. The Leopards are ready to pounce.
