'There are holes in England': DR Congo plot World Cup shock
DR Congo are confident they can shock England in the World Cup last 32 in Atlanta, with Gabriel Zakuani insisting there are "holes" in Thomas Tuchel's team against deep defences. The eng congo kinshasa tie follows a 3-1 comeback win over Uzbekistan led by Yoane Wissa. Former Leopards captain Zakuani turned down a co-commentary role for the biggest match in his nation's history, telling The Guardian the squad believes a scalp is realistic.
Key Takeaways
- DR Congo face England in Atlanta on 1 July 2026 in their first-ever World Cup knockout match.
- Former captain Gabriel Zakuani says England struggle to break down teams that sit deep.
- Yoane Wissa scored twice as DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 to reach the last 32.
- Yorkshire's Congolese community — part of roughly 30,000 UK-based nationals — are torn but excited.
- The Leopards eliminated Cameroon and Nigeria in playoffs before their tournament run.
Why does Gabriel Zakuani believe England have "holes"?
Zakuani, a former Peterborough and Leyton Orient defender who has captained the Leopards, told The Guardian that England look short of creativity when opponents drop into a low block. "When you sit back against England, they struggle to open you up," he said.
He argued that stopping Jude Bellingham could blunt much of the Three Lions' threat. DR Congo, he added, are athletic, organised defensively and, in his view, carry more threat than Ghana going forward.
Zakuani's game plan is patient: absorb pressure, stay compact, then strike clinically on the counter. "If we can hold them for as long as possible, we will get chances," he said. Inside the dressing room, he insisted, belief runs high that a result is possible.
How did DR Congo earn this eng congo kinshasa showdown?
The Leopards reached the last 32 the hard way. They finished a point behind Senegal in qualifying, then knocked out African heavyweights Cameroon and Nigeria in the playoffs before beating Jamaica in the intercontinental final, as reported by The Guardian.
At the tournament, they drew with Portugal before needing victory against Uzbekistan in Atlanta. Trailing to Eldor Shomurodov's opener, Yoane Wissa levelled from the penalty spot after Abdukodir Khusanov's foul. Substitute Fiston Mayele put them ahead before Wissa sealed a 3-1 win in stoppage time, DR Congo's first World Cup victory and their ticket to face England.
Wissa, the Newcastle striker, now has three goals at the finals. Coach Sébastien Desabre has built a side focused on defensive solidity — a style Sky Sports notes is designed to avoid defeat rather than entertain.
What is Yorkshire's Congolese community saying?
The BBC found excitement and divided loyalties among Congolese expats in Leeds and Sheffield. The UK hosts around 30,000 Congolese nationals, many with deep ties to both countries.
Jacques Kalenga, who moved from DR Congo in 1999 and works for the Tosalisana Congolese Community of Sheffield, called facing England "an honour." After a 52-year World Cup absence, he supports both nations but hopes for a competitive match.
Daniel Pokas, owner of La Katangaise Cuisine in Leeds, plans to screen the game and warned England to be wary. "We are going to surprise people, even with England," he told the BBC — echoing a team that already stunned Portugal with a draw.
For more tournament twists and star-driven drama, follow our Celebrity Breaking News coverage as the World Cup knockout stage unfolds.