Three Lions ‘nervous’ at World Cup 2026, admits Tuchel – as boss guarantees match won’t be a draw or ‘glamorous’ and praises ‘very emotional’ Pickford

England head coach Thomas Tuchel believes DR Congo are “extremely harmful” and “able to do something to make our lives depressing” in his first knockout match in worldwide soccer within the final 32 of the World Cup 2026 on Wednesday.

Tuchel expects the Leopards, who drew with Portugal, misplaced to Colombia and beat Uzbekistan throughout the group stage, to be “just about a duplicate” of Ghana, who held his facet to a 0-0 draw, and Panama, who have been stage till the 61st minute of England’s 2-0 win over them on matchday three.

“There isn’t a p.c of over-confidence for this recreation,” stated Tuchel, making a “promise” that the end result won’t be a draw.

“After all we’re nervous and naturally we really feel the strain.”

World Cup 2026: DR Congo ‘able to do something’ vs England

England impressed of their 4-2 win over Croatia however struggled to interrupt their opponents down of their subsequent two matches.

“It’s not glamorous,” Tuchel warned ITV, suggesting that extra thrills might not be in retailer in Atlanta and describing DR Congo as “bodily” and “proud to defend”.

“They are going to defend as a unit and they’re able to do something to make our lives depressing on the soccer pitch.

“This isn’t the glamorous a part of the match. It is advisable get the outcomes and the wins.”

England vs DR Congo: World Cup ‘strain’ on Three Lions

DR Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre, whose facet superior by coming from behind to beat Uzbekistan 3-1 with three second-half targets, stated the strain is on England due to their ambitions.

“We see this as a really stunning alternative to create one other feat moderately than merely coming to find the [knockout stage],” added the previous Uganda supervisor, who guided his present workforce to fourth on the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

“In relation to the historical past of our nation, in relation to the quantity of people that dwell by soccer – whether or not in our nation or, significantly, in African nations – my gamers carry loads of hope on their shoulders.

“These are boys who don’t depart individuals detached by their self-sacrifice and by their resistance to strain, since you want it whenever you play for the nationwide workforce of the Congo.

“They’ve proven it because the starting of the qualifiers. Whether or not it’s the feelings or the strain of a match, the gamers have this capability to have the ability to rise above that and to place in one other efficiency by being totally centered.”

DR Congo: Desabre on World Cup 2026 path

Beneath Desabre, DR Congo have received an 18-kick AFCON penalty shootout in opposition to Egypt and crushed Nigeria on spot kicks as a part of their qualification marketing campaign for these finals, which concluded with a win over Jamaica after further time.

“Throughout all of the qualifiers, we had virtually solely matches akin to direct elimination,” the Frenchman defined.

“The trail for us in Africa was arduous… then we had that recreation in opposition to Uzbekistan which was do-or-die, and every time we knew easy methods to clear the hurdle. I hope that would be the case [against England].

“We should play effectively as a result of a mean match won’t be sufficient to qualify at this stage of a contest just like the World Cup in opposition to an opponent that’s fourth within the FIFA rankings.

“We practised penalties as a result of we’re professionals. Now we have loads of potentialities for penalties; we are able to additionally swap the goalkeeper.”

England vs DR Congo: Pickford praises Wissa

England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford has saved 4 of the 14 penalties he has confronted in shootouts at main worldwide tournaments, together with one in opposition to Colombia in his nation’s first knockout stage match on the 2018 World Cup after present squad member Jordan Henderson had been the primary participant to not rating.

“Jordan is a really distinctive goalkeeper,” stated Tuchel of the participant in each match recreation for England since 2018.

“He’s very emotional and extrovert on the pitch and really calm and pleasant off the pitch. It’s fairly attention-grabbing to see – good character.”

Everton goalkeeper Pickford praised DR Congo ahead Yoane Wissa, who had a forgettable first season at Newcastle following a £55 million switch from Brentford however has scored thrice on the finals, together with two in opposition to Uzbekistan.

“He’s a superb, high participant who bought a giant transfer final summer season,” stated Pickford. “I didn’t play in opposition to him [last] season however he was superb for Brentford.

“DR Congo are a proud nation with some high expertise and we’re prepared for the most effective model of them, however it’s about us being at our greatest.”