England vs DR Congo LIVE: Latest World Cup team news as Thomas Tuchel faces faces injury crisis ahead of last-32 clash

In alternate universe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka would be a World Cup player for England. Today, he lines up against the country he was born in.

The West Ham defender was called up to the England squad by Gareth Southgate in 2019, but had to withdraw through injury and never featured again, choosing to switch his allegiance to DR Congo in 2025.

DR Congo manager Sebastien Desabre says this connection acts as extra motivation for Wan-Bissaka.

Desabre said: “We have some Premier League players who are familiar, some of them were even born in England and that is always a source of motivation.

“But the number one source of motivation is to play against a serious opponent like England or any other top five in the world. It is hard to find anything more motivating than that.”

As Thomas Tuchel got to Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, he couldn’t stop smiling.

“I just love it,” the England manager said, talking about knockout football. “It just gives an extra edge. I love these situations, and I feel it is a privilege.”

It is precisely that attitude, and how it has translated into multiple cup runs and three trophies, that was intended to finally give England an edge in tournaments. Tuchel was appointed because of his success in knockout competition, and now here he and his team are primed.

On the latest episode of Copa Independent, Kieran Jackson in Santa Clara and Miguel Delaney in Atlanta preview England’s last-32 clash against DR Congo – a team that should not be underestimated.

Which way will Thomas Tuchel go with his wingers and full-backs? What and who do the Three Lions need to be wary of? And what lessons can England take from other giant-killings so far in the knockout stage?

Alas, some good news on the England injury front!

After being rested as a precaution against Panama, key midfielder Declan Rice is back in contention.

“I’m good, genuinely, I’m good,” he said. “I know there’s been one (concern) over my hamstring, which has been an issue, but that’s not a problem because I’m still here training, I’m playing. I’m fine.

“I got a dead calf in the last minute of the Ghana game. The guy whacked me and it literally blew up for like three days, so that was just unlucky. It wasn’t actually a calf problem.

“I’m managing myself really well. I feel good, fit and strong. It’s the World Cup and missing out the other day (isn’t a problem).

“We have a squad of 26 who are unbelievable and can play. Kobbie (Mainoo) can play, Jordan (Henderson) can play. Morgan (Rogers) came in and Jude (Bellingham) played as the number eight.

“If it means that sometimes I have to miss out because we have other players who can play against a certain opposition, I’m fine with that, as long as we keep going and winning matches.”

Thomas Tuchel has assured Reece James and Jarell Quansah shouldn’t be sidelined for much longer should England progress tonight – but trusts the alternatives he has at his disposal.

“They are getting close,” the England boss said. “They are getting closer and closer. I saw them on the pitch.

“In the nature of their injury, Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reecey. But the race was close even to make it into the match squad this time, so we need to make sure that we have more matches.

“That is the main focus, and then they will be available very soon.”

On his defensive options, he said: “First of all, I trust my players. I’ve seen them since weeks, I picked them and that’s what football is all about. You have injuries.

“It’s not worth to be too long upset about it and focus on the problem. Find the solution, this is team sport.

“We would love to have Reece with us, we would love to have Jarell with us, but they’re injured at the moment so other players will step up and we will push this over the line tomorrow as a team no matter what happens.”

This is currently what England’s most likely route to the final looks like, based off form and Fifa ranking:

1 July: England v DR Congo | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

5 July: England vs Mexico | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City

11 July: England vs Brazil | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami

15 July: England vs Argentina | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

19 July: England vs Spain | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey

As the dust settles on the first casualties of the World Cup knockout stage, news is filtering through of manager after manager stepping down.

Ronald Koeman left the Netherlands after their shootout defeat to Morocco, and Ecuador’s Sebastian Beccacece has just confirmed he is leaving his post after defeat to Mexico – just a few days after it seemed he saved his job by stunning Germany.

Marcelo Bielsa, meanwhile, has also departed Uruguay as he bid a “very painful” goodbye in a press conference that last an hour and 40 minutes.

They join the likes of Scotland’s Steve Clarke and South Korea’s Hong Myung-bo in resigning, with the latter leaving his job shrouded in national disgrace. Departures don’t get much more brutal than that.

The 27th man in the squad now has a path to playing in the World Cup, though the Chelsea defender even admitted after joining the group in Kansas City that his role is a right-sided centre-back under Tuchel.

That’s not to say he cannot fill in at right-back, but should Tuchel shift Konsa, then Chalobah could slot in if problems emerge at centre-back.

Chalobah has mostly played at centre-back, or right side of a three with his club, though he did feature at right-back in a 3-1 loss to Leeds.

Predominantly a centre-back, the Aston Villa defender is favoured by Tuchel for his ability to perform in multiple positions.

He’s filled in at right-back for England before and has the pace to cover against any potential counter-attacking threats.

Points against him moving across are that Tuchel may be reluctant to disrupt the centre of his defence. Konsa has been a permanent centre-back through group stage.

The decision may come down to whether Tuchel trusts his other options to perform as strongly.

With Jarell Quansah and Reece James both out, let’s take a look at three potential solutions to Thomas Tuchel’s right-back injury crisis:

Tottenham defender Spence was selected for the England squad due to his versatility across the backline and that has already been proven across England’s group fixtures.

Against Croatia, he came on midway through the second half as a replacement for Jude Bellingham but slotted in at right-back with James pushed up to defensive midfield. Spence performed solidly and combined beautifully with Bukayo Saka on the right wing as the Three Lions pushed for a fourth goal.

In the match against Ghana, Spence was handed a starting berth but at left-back replacing Nico O’Reilly. Though he held his own for the majority of the game, England looked more threatening once O’Reilly replaced him which is perhaps a sign that Spence is more effective in his natural position on the right.

And that’s where he returned when brought on for the injured Quansah against Panama, indicating that Tuchel likely sees him as next in line to start in the position.