Harry Kane made history against Panama. Now England face a team trying to make history of its own. The Three Lions take on DR Congo today in Atlanta, in the Congolese nation's first-ever World Cup knockout match.
Kalshi traders give England an 88% chance to advance, with DR Congo at 13%.
For informational purposes only. Not trading advice. See full disclaimer below.
What's at stake
A win sends either side into the round of 16, where they would face the winner of Mexico vs. Ecuador. The two nations have never met before in any competition, adding an unfamiliar edge to an otherwise lopsided market.
England
England breezed through Group L, beating Croatia 4-2 and Panama 2-0 around a goalless draw with Ghana, ESPN reported. The Panama win produced the moment of the tournament for England: Harry Kane's 67th-minute header made him the country's all-time leading World Cup scorer with 11 goals, passing Gary Lineker's longstanding record.
Coach Thomas Tuchel isn't taking DR Congo lightly, especially with Germany and Brazil both stumbling earlier in the knockout rounds. "They have the capacity to make their life difficult for everyone," he said, per Sky Sports.
DR Congo
DR Congo needed the full three games to make it: a draw with Portugal, a narrow loss to Colombia, then a statement 3-1 comeback win over Uzbekistan, with Yoane Wissa scoring three goals across the group stage, according to Fox Sports.
That result also makes them the tournament's best-performing third-place team by goal differential. Coach Sebastian Desabre believes his side belongs here. "We have proven this against teams that were supposed to be superior to us," he said, per Fox Sports.
Reaching the quarterfinals
Beyond today's match, England's odds of reaching the quarterfinals sit at 54% on Kalshi, well clear of DR Congo's 4%.
The bigger picture
England's odds to win the World Cup outright sit at 8.5%, while DR Congo's stand at 1%, reflecting the gap between a title contender and a debutant just happy to be dancing.
Whatever happens in Atlanta, today adds another first to a tournament that has already delivered plenty of them. England are chasing the kind of knockout run that has eluded them for decades, while DR Congo simply being on this stage is already history.
Kalshi markets now predict:
Follow Kalshi on X: @Kalshi | Image Source: YantsImages
This article may contain content generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment, financial, or legal advice. Any opinions or market commentary are not recommendations. Trading involves risk and you should carefully evaluate your financial situation and consult a qualified advisor before making any trading decisions. Kalshi is not affiliated with FIFA or the 2026 World Cup.
