This will be the first ever meeting between England and Congo DR, but England’s second game against an African opponent at this FIFA World Cup (also v Ghana). Only at the 1990 World Cup have they faced two African teams in the same edition before (1-0 v Egypt, 3-2 v Cameroon).

England will face an African team in a FIFA World Cup knockout stage match for just the third time, following wins over Cameroon (3-2 in the 1990 quarter-final) and Senegal (3-0 in the 2022 round of 16).