Tuchel Chooses Rashford Over Gordon for England’s World Cup Knockout Match

Marcus Rashford is expected to replace Anthony Gordon in England’s starting lineup for their round of 32 match against DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This adjustment follows Tuchel’s similar decision in the final group stage game against Panama.

The Three Lions will face DR Congo on Wednesday evening in their first knockout fixture of the tournament. DR Congo advanced as one of the best third-placed teams and could present a challenging opponent for England’s head coach, Thomas Tuchel.

Reports from The Athletic indicate that Noni Madueke will be included in the starting eleven, while Bukayo Saka will continue to be managed carefully due to fitness concerns. Declan Rice is set to return to the lineup after missing the previous match on Saturday.

At right-back, Djed Spence is likely to start, as Jarell Quansah and Reece James remain sidelined with injuries. Morgan Rogers, who started against Panama, is expected to move to the bench for this fixture.

Tuchel’s Tactical Assessment of DR Congo

In a press conference ahead of the match, Tuchel described DR Congo as a compact and physical team, typically lining up in a 5-3-2 formation that can shift to a 5-diamond-4 when in possession. He emphasized their disciplined defending and ability to switch between high pressing and a low defensive block.

Tuchel noted, “They are very dangerous on counterattacks, direct in their style, and not hesitant to play long balls into space, making the game fast-paced and focused on second balls.” He highlighted that DR Congo limited scoring opportunities against teams like Colombia and Portugal.

“We understand the challenge ahead. It is now time to find ways to win, to be patient, and to perform at the highest level,” Tuchel added. He acknowledged DR Congo’s capacity to complicate matches, referencing their performances against Portugal and Colombia, and stated that England is prepared for the encounter.