England will have to raise their level when they face DR Congo in the World Cup quarter-finals tomorrow night – but Jordan Pickford promises that Tuchel has given his players the fighting spirit to go to war.
England’s goalkeeper says Thomas Tuchel gives the team such a strong fighting spirit that the players are ready to “go to war” with the former Chelsea boss.
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Tuchel’s side have yet to find their top form at the World Cup – apart from the second half against Croatia – with a 0-0 draw against Ghana and an unconvincing 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday night. Nevertheless, Pickford – who will be in goal when England face DR Congo in the last eight tomorrow afternoon – assures that there is no lack of motivation.
“We have faith and unity. We’ve had that in the past, but the manager really believes in us,” he told BBC Sport.
“The meetings we have with him are as if you are ready to go to war. He gives you that faith. He has various tactical meetings, and it feels like it’s “now it’s time”. We all have the same goal, and the squad he has picked is in a good mood.
Pickford has had one or two thoughtless moments in the three games, but says working with a psychologist has put him in a good position.
“I’m working on a lot of development and being the best version of myself,” the Everton goalkeeper said in an interview with ITV Sport.
“We have goals, and I’m working with someone to become the best version of myself. We know what journey it can take me on, and I believe in it.
DR Congo qualified as one of the top three teams and have several Premier League players in their squad – including Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa. Wissa had a difficult first season on Tyneside, but has looked sharper in the World Cup with three goals in three games.
“I didn’t show my best face at Newcastle, but I knew my time would come – and that time is now,” he said.
“I show everyone that I’m in good shape, physically and mentally. That’s why I’m proud to show that I’m a good player. I can play football, and when I’m physically fit, my head is calm – and the rest follows.
World Cup 2026: Team news for England against DR Congo
Substitute right-back Jarell Quansah suffered an injury against Panama and is a doubt. Djed Spence or John Stones will come into the back four. Declan Rice returns in midfield, while Morgan Rogers will probably have to go.
DR Congo can go back to a back five, with Brian Cipenga out.
England v DR Congo: Predicted line-ups for the 2026 World Cup
England (4-2-3-1): Pickford – Spence, Konsa, Guehi, O’Reilly – Anderson, Rice – Saka, Bellingham, Rashford – Kane
DR Congo (5-4-1): Mpasi-Nzau – Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Kapuadi, Masuaku – Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Kayembe – Wissa, Bakambu
World Cup 2026: Key figures for England vs. DR Congo
- England are unbeaten in 11 competitive matches under Thomas Tuchel (10 wins) – only Ron Greenwood (16, 1977–1980) and Roy Hodgson (14, 2012–2013) have had longer unbeaten starts as England manager.
- This is the second time England have faced two African teams in the same World Cup – in 1990 they beat Egypt 1-0 in the group stage and Cameroon 3-2 in the quarter-finals.
- Harry Kane can equal Geoff Hurst (4) for the most World Cup knockout goals for England – only Gary Lineker (6) has more.
- The European Golden Boot winner scored three goals in the group stage to become England’s all-time top scorer.
- Elliot Anderson leads all England players in line-breaking passes (30), balls won (20) and duels won (24) at this World Cup.
- DR Congo had 38.5 percent possession in the group stage – England were in third place with 65.3 percent.
- Yoane Wissa has scored three of DR Congo’s four goals in the tournament – the same number he scored in the entire 2025/26 season for Newcastle.
- Wissa scored one goal per 301 minutes for Newcastle – but one per 90 minutes in the World Cup.
- This is the 11th time an African team has faced a previous winner in a World Cup knockout match. Morocco are the only African team to have progressed – they beat Spain on penalties in the last eight in 2022.
World Cup 2026: Prediction for England vs. DR Congo
England haven’t been convincing so far, but they qualified without much trouble and should now be able to gear up. Tuchel’s selection still seems somewhat incomprehensible, but they should have enough quality to beat DR Congo.
Prediction: England 2-0 DR Congo
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