England’s path to the World Cup final has become clearer after it’s been confirmed they will face DR Congo in the round of 32 stage of the tournament. The Three Lions finished their Group L campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Panama in New Jersey on Saturday night.
Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane got on the score sheet for Tomas Tuchel’s side to see England secure top spot in Group L. As a result, England will now face DR Congo in the first knockout round of the World Cup, with the game taking place on Tuesday, July 1 in Atlanta, with a 5pm kick-off UK time.
It’s not just England’s round of 32 tie that has been confirmed in the World Cup, with the other 15 ties also being sealed as a result of the group stages now being concluded.
Co-hosts Canada and the United States had already seen their opponents confirmed for the next round. Canada will take on South Africa, while the US will face Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Elsewhere in the draw, Germany will take on Paraguay, the Netherlands will face Morocco, and Brazil will go up against Japan.
France and Sweden will go head-to-head in their round of 32 tie, while the Ivory Coast will face Norway. Argentina and Lionel Messi will face Cape Verde, while there are several other ties including Australia vs Egypt, Belgium vs Senegal, Colombia vs Ghana and Portugal vs Croatia.
Should England get past DR Congo, they would set up a last-16 tie against either Mexico or Ecuador. After that, there is the possibility of a quarter-final against either Brazil, Japan, Ivory Coast or Norway.