Tuchel highlights pressure as England prepares for DR Congo in knockout stage
ESPN Soccer • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 1, 2026, 12:49 AM
Last updated Jul 1, 2026
England manager Thomas Tuchel emphasized the challenges of knockout football ahead of their last-32 match against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday in Atlanta. Tuchel pointed to the recent exits of Germany and the Netherlands as reminders of the unpredictable nature of this stage of the tournament. After topping Group L, England seeks to avoid complacency as they face a determined underdog in DR Congo, who drew with Portugal and lost narrowly to Colombia in their previous games. The match is part of England's journey aimed at concluding with success in New Jersey on July 19.
- •England faces DR Congo in World Cup knockout stage on July 1.
- •Tuchel references Germany and Netherlands' shock exits.
- •England topped Group L and aims for success in New Jersey.
- •DR Congo drew with Portugal and lost to Colombia.
- •Tuchel stresses importance of avoiding overconfidence.
- 5:50 AMESPN Soccer — England's Tuchel: Big-name WC exits can 'calm us'
- 12:49 AMYahoo Sports — Tuchel says seeing big names exit World Cup can help calm England
"England boss Thomas Tuchel says watching Germany and the Netherlands exit the World Cup highlights the precarious nature of knock-out football as his side plot a way past the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 32. Having topped Group L in a business-like manner, the stakes are raised as the back-to-back European Championship finalists take on the African side in Atlanta on Wednesday as they embark on a journey they hope ends in glory in New Jersey on July 19.
"Thomas Tuchel has said surprise early World Cup exits for Germany and Netherlands will "calm our minds" and help England not to "over-expect" when facing Congo DR.
Sources
External links- ESPN SoccerJul 1, 2026, 5:50 AMEngland's Tuchel: Big-name WC exits can 'calm us'
Thomas Tuchel has said surprise early World Cup exits for Germany and Netherlands will "calm our minds" and help England not to "over-expect" when facing Congo DR.
- Yahoo SportsJul 1, 2026, 12:49 AMTuchel says seeing big names exit World Cup can help calm England
England boss Thomas Tuchel says watching Germany and the Netherlands exit the World Cup highlights the precarious nature of knock-out football as his side plot a way past the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 32. Having topped Group L in a business-like manner, the stakes are raised as the back-to-back European Championship finalists take on the African side in Atlanta on Wednesday as they embark on a journey they hope ends in glory in New Jersey on July 19.
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