England vs DR Congo Picks, Odds and Best Bets - World Cup 2026
Jesse M. Cox Published 30/06/2026
The 2026 World Cup Round of 32 continues as England face DR Congo at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The most assured group winner left in the draw meets one of the tournament's most awkward survivors, with a place in the last 16 on the line.
England topped Group L unbeaten on seven points, beating Croatia and Panama either side of a goalless draw with Ghana. DR Congo took the scenic route, sneaking through as the best of the third-placed sides after a stunning 3-1 win over Uzbekistan that secured their first knockout berth since competing as Zaire in 1974.
Below we break down every key market with the latest prices, our reasoning, and a clear verdict on each.
Moneyline
Sportsbooks make England overwhelming favorites at around -300 in 90 minutes, with the draw out near +430 and DR Congo a remote long shot at roughly +1100. On the advancement market, England are about -800 to reach the last 16, with DR Congo around +500.
Kalshi's prediction market is similarly emphatic, pricing England at 89% to advance and DR Congo at just 12%. The Three Lions are firmly expected to progress.
England carry more quality, more depth and a defensive platform DR Congo have not faced in this kind of form, having conceded just twice in the group stage and nothing across qualifying. DR Congo will sit compact and look to release Wissa and Mayele in transition, so the value lives in the goals and scorer markets rather than the short straight price. The one note of caution is England's struggles against the low block Ghana set, and their standout names feature in the player-of-the-tournament market.
Verdict: England at -300 is the clear call, with their control and chance volume set to overcome a deep DR Congo block.
Over/Under
The total sits at 2.5, with Under 2.5 goals favored around -110 and Over 2.5 close to even. England's defensive control pulls the line toward a lower-scoring game despite their attacking output.
England have kept clean sheets in 12 of their last 13 competitive games, and 15 of DR Congo's last 16 matches featured fewer than four goals, pointing to a controlled rather than free-scoring contest. England should find an early goal and manage the tie from there, in the mold of a 2-0 or 1-0 win, rather than running up the score.
Verdict: Lean Under 2.5 goals at -110, with England's clean-sheet habit and game management pointing to a controlled win.
Both Teams to Score
Kalshi prices Both Teams to Score Yes at 36¢ and No at 65¢, a firm lean toward No. Sportsbooks agree, with No favored around -175 and Yes out near +135.
The case for No is strong: England's back line has conceded just twice all tournament, and DR Congo's narrow attack will struggle to create against an organized defense. An England win to nil is one of the most backed angles on the card.
The case for Yes leans on Wissa's clinical finishing punishing one of the few transitions DR Congo manufacture. On balance, a DR Congo blank is the more likely outcome.
Verdict: A lean to Both Teams to Score No at 65¢ on Kalshi, or -175 at the sportsbooks, with DR Congo's narrow attack the deciding factor.
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First-Half Moneyline
England have started the scoring in 13 of their last 14 competitive matches, though a deep DR Congo block could delay the opener. Kalshi's first-half market favors England, pricing them at 57% to lead at the break, the Tie at 36%, and DR Congo at just 8%.
Sportsbooks frame the half similarly, with England to lead at the interval around -130, the First-Half Draw near +150, and DR Congo ahead at half-time out around +800. The Three Lions are favored to be in front by half-time.
DR Congo's organization could keep it level briefly, as Ghana managed, but England's chance volume should tell more often than not. England's defensive record makes goalkeeper Jordan Pickford one to note among the leading goalkeeper bets at the tournament.
Verdict: England to lead at half-time, priced at 57¢ on Kalshi or around -130 at the sportsbooks, is the play.
Anytime Goalscorer (Top 5 Bets)
England's attackers dominate this market against a DR Congo defense that has conceded in every outing. Harry Kane, the tournament's in-form England striker, leads the board.
- Harry Kane (England) - -150: England's captain and all-time leading scorer has three goals already at this World Cup and is the reference point for an attack creating big chances at will, the natural man to unpick a DR Congo back line that has conceded throughout.
- Ollie Watkins (England) - +125: A direct, in-form striker option who offers pace in behind, Watkins is a strong play whether he starts or arrives off the bench.
- Jude Bellingham (England) - +205: Already on two goals, the Real Madrid midfielder's late surges into the box are a recurring feature and one of the cleaner routes to a goal against a deep block.
- Marcus Rashford (England) - +200: On the scoresheet against Croatia, Rashford is the obvious direct option if DR Congo drop off, with his runs in behind a threat against a low block.
- Yoane Wissa (DR Congo) - +450: The Newcastle forward scored three of DR Congo's four group goals, including the leveller against Portugal, and is the one man capable of turning a single transition into a goal.
Verdict: Harry Kane at -150 is the headline anytime goalscorer pick, with Yoane Wissa at +450 the standout value play for DR Congo.
Injury Report
England welcome back Declan Rice to anchor the midfield, but Thomas Tuchel has injury doubts over right-back Reece James and defender Jarell Quansah, prompting at least a couple of changes. The settled spine of Pickford, Guéhi, Konsa, Bellingham and Kane remains intact, with Watkins, Toney and the wingers providing strong attacking depth.
DR Congo arrive without major reported absences and can name the fearless, organized side that upset Uzbekistan, marshaled by goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. Sébastien Desabre's men carry the emotional weight of a nation reaching uncharted territory, with Yoane Wissa and Fiston Mayele their primary threats in transition.
Weather Forecast
The 12:00 PM ET kickoff at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be played under the venue's retractable roof, so the Atlanta summer heat and humidity will not affect conditions on the pitch. A controlled indoor environment is expected.
With a dry, true surface and no weather disruption, England can play their passing game at full tempo and work the channels against a deep block. The controlled conditions tilt further toward the favorites dictating the rhythm across the full 90 minutes.
How to Watch
- Date: Wednesday, July 1, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM ET
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- US TV Station: FOX (English) and Telemundo (Spanish), with streaming on Peacock and FOX One
For a closer look at where to back these markets, our rundown of the best soccer betting sites compares the top prices and features for the knockout rounds. Back England to advance with the Under and Harry Kane anytime as the standout plays on the board.