England face DR Congo in World Cup round of 32 after topping Group L

England will face DR Congo in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup after finishing top of Group L, with the match scheduled for Tuesday, July 1 in Atlanta (5pm UK time). Thomas Tuchel’s side secured top spot with seven points from three games, beating Croatia and Panama before drawing with Ghana.

England’s final group game — a 2-0 victory over Panama — confirmed their position as Group L winners. Senegal had appeared likely to be their round of 32 opponents, but overnight results elsewhere meant DR Congo advanced instead to set up the last-32 tie.

Should England progress past DR Congo, they would face the winners of Mexico vs Ecuador in the last 16. A potential quarter-final could pit them against Brazil, Ivory Coast, Japan or Norway, while a semi-final run would bring the possibility of meeting Argentina, Cape Verde, Australia, Egypt, Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia or Ghana.

All 16 round of 32 fixtures are now confirmed following the conclusion of the group stages. Co-hosts the United States will face Bosnia & Herzegovina, while defending champions Argentina take on Cape Verde. Other notable ties include Brazil vs Japan, France vs Sweden, the Netherlands vs Morocco, and Ivory Coast vs Norway.

The full round of 32 draw is as follows:

South Africa vs Canada; Germany vs Paraguay; Netherlands vs Morocco; Brazil vs Japan; France vs Sweden; Ivory Coast vs Norway; Mexico vs Ecuador; England vs DR Congo; USA vs Bosnia & Herzegovina; Belgium vs Senegal; Portugal vs Croatia; Spain vs Austria; Switzerland vs Algeria; Argentina vs Cape Verde; Colombia vs Ghana; Australia vs Egypt.