England go into the last 32 match against the Democratic Republic of Congo as overwhelming favorites, but in a World Cup that has seen plenty of upsets and late winners, manager Thomas Tuchel says there will be no overconfidence on his part against a team with nothing to lose.
Tuchel’s England topped the group and will face DR Congo, the best-ranked of the third-placed sides, on Wednesday.
Already in the round of 32, Germany went out on penalties to Paraguay, just like the Netherlands through Morocco. Brazil needed a late winner to beat Japan and Norway did the same against Ivory Coast.
“I think it can calm us down in a way,” Tuchel told reporters on Tuesday.
«It’s just narrow margins, it’s tight football matches, and it helps us not to expect too much. It helps to put into perspective what has happened at this World Cup and in world football.»
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«Teams are well driven, teams defend at the highest level, teams are well prepared. And it is difficult for any team to split teams, especially when you arrive as favorites, especially when you face teams that have nothing to lose.»
DR CONGO IS THE UNDERDOG
DR Congo is one such side, and the Congolese, who held Portugal to a draw, have gone further than they and anyone else expected. “We expect a similar kind of match like we played against Ghana, like we played against Panama,” Tuchel said.
“We arrive as favorites and they can play the role of underdog, which suits them very well.
“We have the team spirit, we have the dedication, we have the quality to convert half-chances into chances, to make crosses difficult, to come up with numbers in the penalty area and to decide this match in perhaps very few key moments.”
Those key moments could include a penalty shootout, and Tuchel spoke about his side’s preparations.
“I think it’s very difficult to simulate the pressure, so we train what we can train,” he said.
«The FA has a programme. We follow this program in detail, and it is simply an important and very specific part of football that plays a role in knockout matches.»
«We usually know who takes them and will determine the order. But we don’t know who ends the game, so that’s kind of an adjustment you have to make.»
England will be without injured right-back Reece James and his replacement against Panama, Jarell Quansah.
“The race was even close this time to get into the selection,” said Tuchel.
“So we need to make sure we have more matches. That is the main focus and they will be available very soon.”
Published on July 1, 2026
