England hasn’t lifted the trophy in 60 years. The clock is ticking.
They play DR Congo on Wednesday. It’s the Round of 32. A chance to step closer to history, or a chance to choke.
The Three Lions looked rusty against Ghana. A stalemate. Boring, even. But Saturday changed things. They beat Panama 2-0. Better. Cleaner. Yet Thomas Tuchel’s squad still struggles to pick open locked doors. Defenders hide. Goals hide with them.
Worse news lurks in the dressing room. Jarell Quansah is out. Reece James is out. Declan Rice might walk, but it’s not certain. Bukayo Saka is another question mark. The fitness room is full. The bench looks thin.
Then there’s DR Congo.
Never before have they reached the knockout stages of the World Cup.
They shocked Portugal. Drew them. Then lost narrowly to Colombia before beating Uzbekistan 3-1. Sébastien Desabre’s team is dangerous. They play without fear. And when you play without fear against an anxious favorite, strange things happen.
So you want to watch? Here is how to see England vs DR Congo live streaming without the headache.
Where to stream England vs DR Congo in the US
If you live in the US, your main option is Fox.
Fox holds exclusive English-language rights for the 2026 tournament. Every single match. This specific Round of 32 game airs on the Fox broadcast channel. Not FS1. Fox.
Want it cheaper than cable?
- Fox One is the bargain here. $20 a month gets you the whole tournament.
- YouTube TV and DirecTV carry both Fox and FS1, but they cost significantly more.
- Hulu Plus Live TV works too, same price tier as YouTube.
Spanish commentary? Look north to NBCUniversal. Telemundo picks up this match. It’s available via Peacock. They also offer Dolby Vision HDR, which is a nice touch for watching grass.
How to watch England vs DR Congo for free in the UK
UK fans have it easier.
BBC holds the rights. It’s free-to-air.
Tune to BBC One for the broadcast. Or go to BBC iPlayer. The show starts at 4 p.m.BST with pre-game coverage. The whistle blows at 5 p.m.BST. No subscription required. No hidden fees.
Just turn it on.
Stream the match in Canada and Australia
Canadian viewers need TSN. Or CTV. Bell Media owns the English rights. If you prefer French, check RDS. Streaming? TSN Plus works for mobile and tablet viewers.
Australians got the golden ticket.
SBS broadcasts every World Cup match for free. Every one. Kickoff is late—2 a.m.AEST on Thursday. Good luck sleeping before then.
Why use a VPN to stream World Cup matches abroad?
Maybe you’re not at home. Maybe you’re visiting family in Lisbon or a friend in Tokyo. You try to watch the game. The page loads. Then it blocks you.
Geoblocks are real. Streaming services check your IP address. If you’re in London trying to access a US-only feed, they shut you out.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) changes your digital address.
You connect to a server in the United States. Your browser looks like it’s coming from New York. Fox lets you in.
It’s not just about tricking systems. Public Wi-Fi at airports is notoriously unsafe. A VPN encrypts your data. It stops ISPs from throttling your speed. It adds a layer of armor to your login details.
Keep in mind:
Some providers block known VPN IP addresses. It’s an arms race. Check your service provider’s terms of use first. Fox and other networks don’t explicitly ban it, but they don’t encourage it either.
If you do decide to go down that road, pick a reliable service. Look for strong encryption standards. Read the installation instructions carefully. One wrong setting and you’re disconnected.
The match starts Wednesday. 12 p.m.ET.
England will likely dominate possession. They always do. The question isn’t whether they will pass. It’s whether they can finish. DR Congo knows this. They will sit deep. They will hit on the break.
Will England repeat the Panama script? Or will the DRC write their own history?
No one knows yet.
Kickoff approaches. The balls are ready.
