England face DR Congo in round of 32 after FIFA expands World Cup to 48 teams

England will play a round of 32 fixture at the World Cup for the first time in their history, a direct consequence of FIFA’s decision to expand the tournament from 32 to 48 national teams. Having topped Group L, the Three Lions are set to face DR Congo in their next match in Atlanta.

In previous editions of the tournament, finishing top of their group would have sent England straight into the round of 16. The expanded format creates an additional knockout stage for all teams that advance from the group phase, with the eight best third-placed sides also earning a place in the round of 32.

England secured top spot with a 2-0 victory over Panama, though the win was not without complications. Thomas Tuchel’s side spent the opening hour struggling to break down a disciplined Panama defence before Jude Bellingham finally opened the scoring. Bellingham then delivered a precise cross for Harry Kane, whose finish made him England’s record World Cup goalscorer.

The result was overshadowed by a fitness concern when Jarell Quansah, deputising at right-back for the injured Reece James, was forced off shortly after Bellingham’s goal. Djed Spence replaced him and completed the match, but Tuchel will need to assess his full-back options before the DR Congo fixture.

The group stage concluded in dramatic circumstances elsewhere, with Austria and Algeria playing out a 3-3 draw in which both teams scored in added time. Algeria led 3-2 in the 93rd minute — a scoreline that would have eliminated Austria — before Sasa Kalajdzic equalised in the 96th minute to send both sides through to the next round.

Speaking after the Panama win, Tuchel was satisfied with the group stage outcome but acknowledged room for improvement. “We wanted to win the group. There is no substitute for wins and we have that feeling again,” he said. “The tournament starts new again. We had the first chapter in prep camp, then a second chapter in the group and the third chapter is coming.”

On England’s defensive vulnerability late in the game, Tuchel added: “We were a bit over-excited and over-enthusiastic to score a third and committed like full-backs and everyone up front. We ended up a bit stretched, which was not necessary. The game management when we were 2-0 up could have been better.”