KANSAS CITY, KANSAS – JUNE 26: The adidas Trionda match ball is seen during an England Training Session during an England FIFA World Cup 2026 camp on June 26, 2026 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images) (Image: Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
England face their first do-or-die test of the 2026 World Cup when their journey through the Knockout Stages begins in Atlanta tomorrow night (Wednesday, July 1). Thomas Tuchel and the rest of the country will hope that it doesn’t end at the same time.
Tuchel’s preparations have been derailed somewhat by an injury curse of sorts, striking down three right-backs before the Group Stage even ended. Although England were able to top Group L thanks to a 2-0 win over Panama, Tuchel’s options on the right of defence are limited. Much has been made of this ‘curse’, but it’s not the only problem area that England need to solve in order to keep progressing through the tournament.
That said, we took to EA Sports FC 26 to try and predict the outcome against DR Congo. Having stuttered somewhat through the Group Stage, England need to up their game if they wish to realise their World Cup dreams.
England lineup v Congo predicted by EA FC 26.
Jarrell Quansah’s injury sustained during the win over Panama makes him the third right-back to head to the medical room, after Tino Livramento’s early withdrawal from the squad and Reece James’ latest setback in an extensive catalogue of fitness woes.
Our simulation anticipated that Tuchel would opt for Djed Spence rather than shifting Ezri Konsa or Trevoh Chalobah out of their natural positions, reports The Mirror.
It also forecast a return to the starting XI for Declan Rice in the centre of midfield, with Marcus Rashford retaining his wide role on the back of an encouraging display against Panama. The only other noteworthy change saw John Stones come in for Konsa alongside Marc Guehi at the heart of defence.
England simulated starting XI v DR Congo: Jordan Pickford; Djed Spence, Marc Guehi, John Stones, Nico O’Reilly; Elliot Anderson, Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham; Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Harry Kane.
Samuel Moutoussamy ensured a nightmare start for England in our EA FC 26 sim (Image: EA Sports/screenshot)
England v DR Congo World Cup clash simulated by EA Sports FC 26.
Despite all the best laid plans to make sure England started brightly, Tuchel and his side suffered a nightmare start in the sim. Ater 18 minutes, a defensive lapse allowed Samuel Moutousssamy to steal into the box, produce a tame effort that was fumbled by Jordan Pickford, and stretch beyond Stones to score the rebound.
Congo had stunned England to lead 1-0 inside the opening quarter, leaving the Three Lions trailing at this World Cup for the very first time. Relief, however, arrived from an unexpected source just 10 minutes later.
It was neither the brilliance of Jude Bellingham nor the dependability of captain Harry Kane that hauled England level. Instead, it was the audacity of Eliot Anderson to spin away from his marker and fire home from 12 yards out.
Anderson was the hero once more when he netted a second on 38 minutes, after being slipped through expertly by his skipper. A 2-1 advantage, and England had rediscovered their swagger.
Three minutes before the break, Aaron Wan-Bissaka was penalised for handball as former Manchester United teammate Rashford attempted to skip past him. Kane stepped up and drilled the resulting spot-kick into the top-left corner, as Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi went the wrong way.
Harry Kane scored an important penalty for England in the simulation (Image: EA Sports/screenshot)
A 3-1 lead at the interval was a solid platform, but things were only set to improve. After a corner cannoned off the outstretched arm of Arthur Masuaku, Kane coolly converted a second penalty on 50 minutes to extend England’s advantage to 4-1.
The goals continued to flow as Bellingham thundered an effort beyond Mpasi on 58 minutes to hand England a commanding 5-1 lead, all but guaranteeing their passage into the Last 16.
With the outcome beyond doubt, Tuchel withdrew Spence in favour of Konsa ten minutes later, seemingly keen to preserve his only available right-back ahead of the latter stages.
Bellingham became the third player to bag a brace in the match with a powerful strike, masterfully teed up by Kane after 71 minutes.
Jude Bellingham helped ensure England got the last laugh (Image: EA Sports/screenshot)
When stoppage time arrived, Rashford rounded off a stunning display with a clever run and a thunderous finish.
It culminated in a comprehensive 7-1 victory, delivering a powerful message to the other World Cup challengers. Should this materialise in Atlanta, England supporters will be euphoric.
However, our simulation also forecast an identical 7-1 England triumph against Panama β a fixture which turned out to be considerably closer in reality.
At this juncture of the competition, most would happily exchange the goal bonanza for a straightforward, injury-free victory.