England face DR Congo in the last-32 of the 2026 World Cup, with several selection questions demanding answers ahead of the crucial knockout tie.
Declan Rice is expected to return to the starting lineup, which means one of the players who featured against Panama will make way.
The holding midfielder’s presence in the team fundamentally changes the shape of midfield, and the manager must reconfigure accordingly.
One of the most debated positions ahead of the match is right-back, where England’s options have divided supporters throughout the tournament.
Out wide, Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka were both involved against Panama, and the question is whether that combination continues into the knockout stage.
Rashford’s performances at this World Cup have generated significant discussion, with many fans eager to see him build on any momentum from the group stage.
Saka remains one of England’s most dangerous attacking threats, and his ability to take on defenders and deliver quality final balls makes him difficult to leave out.
Morgan Rogers is another player whose position in the side is under scrutiny, having staked a claim for a starting berth during the group stage campaign.
The step up from group stage football to knockout rounds is significant, and England’s squad depth will be tested as the manager weighs his options carefully.
DR Congo will represent a stern challenge, and getting the balance right between defensive solidity and attacking quality will be central to England progressing in the tournament.
England supporters have been voicing their preferred lineups across social media and fan forums, reflecting the genuine uncertainty around at least four or five positions in the starting XI.
The match represents England’s first knockout game of the 2026 World Cup, and the pressure on the manager to make the correct selections has never been greater.
