England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford says Thomas Tuchel instills so much fighting spirit in the camp, the Three Lions players are ready to go to war alongside the former Chelsea boss.Tuchels side have not yet hit top form at the World Cup, bar the second 45 minutes against Croatia, with a goalless draw against Ghana followed by an unconvincing 2-0 defeat of Panama on Saturday night.Nevertheless, Pickford, who will be in goal when England face DR Congo in the round of 32 tomorrow afternoon, says there is no lack of motivation within the ranks.He told BBC Sport: [We have] belief, togetherness. I think we have had that previously, but I think the managers got that belief in us.The meetings the manager has with us, it is like you are ready to go to war. He puts that belief in you. There are different meetings he has tactically, and it is like yeah, it is go time.We all want the same goal, we all want that end goal and this squad he has picked, we are all in good spirits.Pickford has had one or two rash moments in the three games so far but says his work with a psychologist has put him in a good place.[It is] a lot of growth I am working on and being the best version of myself, the Everton keeper said in an interview with ITV Sport.We have got targets, who I am working with, and it is about being the best version of me and where that can take me. We know the journey it can take me on, and believing in that, and being me.DR Congo qualified as one of the best third-placed finishers and have plenty of Premier League players in their squad, including Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa.Wissa endured a miserable first season on Tyneside but has looked sharper at the World Cup with three goals in three games.I didnt show my best face at Newcastle but I knew that my time will come and this time is now, he said.I just show everyone now Im in a good place, Im good physically, Im good mentally, so thats why Im proud to show that Im a good player.I know how to play football and especially when Im good physically my head is calm, and the rest follows.Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026: England v DR Congo team newsEngland v DR Congo World Cup 2026 predicted line-upsWhere to watch England v DR Congo: TV channel, live online streamsWorld Cup 2026: England v DR Congo statsWorld Cup 2026: England v DR Congo predictionResponsible GamblingWorld Cup 2026: England v DR Congo team newsStand-in right-back Jarell Quansah sustained a knock against Panama and is a doubt. One of Djed Spence or John Stones will come into the back four. Declan Rice will return to the midfield with Morgan Rogers likely to drop out.DR Congo could revert to a five-man defence with Brian Cipenga missing out.England v DR Congo World Cup 2026 predicted line-upsEngland: Pickford; Spence, Konsa, Guehi, OReilly; Anderson, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Rashford; KaneDR Congo: Mpasi-Nzau; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Kapuadi, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Kayembe; Wissa, BakambuWhere to watch England v DR Congo: TV channel, live online streamsEngland versus DR Congo kicks off tomorrow afternoon at 5pm. You can watch it on BBC One and stream via the BBC iPlayer.World Cup 2026: England v DR Congo statsEngland are unbeaten in 11 competitive fixtures under Thomas Tuchel (W10) only Ron Greenwood (16, between 1977 and 1980) and Roy Hodgson (14, between 2012 and 2013) enjoyed longer undefeated starts to their tenuresThis will be the second time England have encountered two African teams at the same World Cup in 1990 they beat Egypt 1-0 in the group stage and knocked out Cameroon 3-2 in the quarter-finalsHarry Kane will move level with Geoff Hurst (4) for knockout-stage goals for England at the World Cup if he scores, with only Gary Lineker (6) netting moreThe European golden shoe winner scored three during the group stage to become Englands record scorer at the mens World CupElliot Anderson leads all England players for line-breaking passes (30), possession won (20) and duels won (24) at this World Cup, with Ecuadors Pedro Vite the only other player to achieve at least 20 in each of those categories in the group stageDR Congo ranked 38th for possession average (38.5%) in the group stage. England were third, on 65.3%Yoane Wissa has scored three of DR Congos four goals in the competition, matching his tally across the entire 2025/26 season with NewcastleWissa averaged a goal every 301 minutes for the Magpies but has one every 90 minutes at the World CupThe 29-year-old has averaged an expected goals (xG) tally of 0.21 for each of his nine attempts at the 2026 finals, with a total xG of 1.87This is the 11th time an African team has faced a former winner in a World Cup knockout match, with Morocco the only one to have advanced when they beat Spain on penalties in the last 16 in 2022World Cup 2026: England v DR Congo predictionEngland havent been great so far but they qualified with few alarms and will now look to go through the gears.Tuchels squad selection still looks baffling but they ought to have too much for DR Congo.Prediction: England 2-0 DR CongoResponsible GamblingGambling should always be approached as entertainment, not as a way to generate income. If you ever feel that gambling is becoming a problem, there are several organisations you can contact for free, confidential support. National Gambling Helpline: 0808 8020 133 (free, 8 am to midnight, 7 days a week)GamCare: www.gamcare.org.ukGambleAware: gambleaware.orgGamStop: www.gamstop.co.uk (free self-exclusion service)Tools available through bet365 include deposit limits, session time reminders, loss limits, self-exclusion and Reality Checks. These can be accessed via the Safer Gambling section of your account at any time. 18+ only. Please gamble responsibly. Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Anthony Gordon Bukayo Saka Dan Burn Declan Rice DR Congo national football team Eberechi Eze Elliot Anderson England National Football Team FIFA World Cup Harry Kane Ivan Toney John Stones Jordan Henderson Jordan Pickford Jude Bellingham Kobbie Mainoo Marc Guehi Marcus Rashford Morgan Rogers Noni Madueke Ollie Watkins Reece James World Cup World Cup 2026 Yoane Wissa Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read USA v Bosnia and Herzegovina: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream and prediction Jon Fisher 30th June, 2026 Belgium v Senegal: World Cup 2026 line-ups, stats and preview, TV channel, live online stream and prediction Jon Fisher 30th June, 2026 Brazil forward Cunha defends World Cup provocation: Good to put him in his place Ben Miller 30th June, 2026 Exclusive: Former England striker Heskey urges fans to relax and remains confident Three Lions can win 2026 World Cup Jon Fisher 30th June, 2026 Mexico v Ecuador: Line-ups, where to watch, stats and preview as co-hosts seek to end fifth game wait Nicholas McGee 30th June, 2026 Van Dijk despairs after Netherlands World Cup exit: The most terrible moments for a footballer Ben Miller 30th June, 2026
