What is England’s route to the World Cup final if they beat DR Congo?

In partnership with

The Independent

·1. Juli 2026

What is England’s route to the World Cup final if they beat DR Congo?

England‘s bid to end 60 years of hurt on the global stage ramps up as they face DR Congo in their first World Cup knockout-stage clash.

The Three Lions topped Group L to set up the round of 32 meeting on Wednesday, sandwiching an underwhelming draw against Ghana between wins against Croatia and Panama.

OneFootball Videos

England know who they will be facing should they defeat the African nation, with co-hosts Mexico awaiting them in the high-altitude cauldron of the Estadio Azteca for a blockbuster last-16 tie. Mexico impressed in a dominant 2-0 win against fellow dark horses Ecuador on Tuesday night and will be relish the chance to down one of the tournament’s biggest hitters.

If they overcome that serious test of resolve, Brazil would likely be their quarter-final opponent going off Fifa rankings, though the Selecao must put a stop to Erling Haaland’s free-scoring Norway to progress to the last-eight.

England would then stare down the barrel of Argentina, following a flawless group-stage campaign inspired by Lionel Messi, in the semi-finals - if all goes as predicted.

Argentina face World Cup surprise package Cape Verde in the round of 32, though the tiny African island country would need to pull off their biggest shock yet to eliminate the holders. Egypt or Australia await in the last-16 before crossing paths with one of Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia or Ghana in the quarters.

If England can get all the way, they’d share the final with top-ranked Spain - though La Roja will also have to produce some statement results to get there. They face Austria in the round of 32 but will likely come up against Portugal in the last-16, before potentially meeting hosts USA in the quarter-finals. Then in the semi-finals, a mammoth tie against France is expected to take place, which many think could prove the unofficial final of the two best teams on the planet.