DR Congo's Youssef Mulumbu Confident Ahead of World Cup Clash with England

As DR Congo prepares to face England in the FIFA World Cup knockout stage, former captain Youssef Mulumbu shares his optimism about the team's potential to create an upset. With a strong performance in the group stage and a desire to reach the finals, Mulumbu believes that DR Congo can challenge the experienced Three Lions. Recent tournament surprises add to the excitement, making this match one to watch. Discover more about Mulumbu's insights and the team's aspirations in this thrilling encounter.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 30, 2026, 23:52 IST

Mulumbu's Optimism for DR Congo

London [UK], June 30: Youssef Mulumbu, the former captain of DR Congo, expressed his belief that his team can pose a significant challenge to England in their upcoming FIFA World Cup round of 32 match on Wednesday (July 1).

England, under the leadership of Harry Kane, is set to face DR Congo in Atlanta during this knockout stage. This tournament has already seen surprising outcomes, including Paraguay's victory over four-time champions Germany and Morocco's elimination of the Netherlands, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the competition.

DR Congo kicked off their World Cup journey with a commendable 1-1 draw against Portugal, led by Cristiano Ronaldo, followed by a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia. They made a strong comeback with a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan, marking their first-ever advancement to the knockout stage.

In an interview with Sky Sports, Mulumbu acknowledged England's experience but emphasized DR Congo's growing confidence. He mentioned a conversation with defender Arthur Masuaku, who conveyed the team's ambition to reach the finals, a goal that sets them apart from many other African teams that typically aim to simply progress beyond the group stage.

“While England has the upper hand in experience, this group is brimming with confidence. Masuaku told me they aspire to reach the finals. This is impressive because many African nations come to the World Cup just hoping to represent and advance past the group stage. Their determination to aim for the finals is commendable, and I genuinely believe they will challenge the Three Lions,” Mulumbu stated.

He expressed his support for DR Congo, anticipating a fiercely competitive match, and pointed out that recent surprises in the tournament demonstrate that underdogs can indeed compete with the top teams.

“We’ve seen England struggle against Ghana, and I believe we have a 50-50 chance. With the recent upsets, like Morocco and Paraguay, anything can happen in this World Cup. Let’s fight and see what unfolds,” he concluded.