DR Congo’s Gabriel Zakuani Believes Team Can Cause World Cup Upset Against England

The Democratic Republic of Congo is preparing for what could be the biggest match in their recent football history, facing England in the last 32 of the World Cup. Former DRC defender Gabriel Zakuani, who has been closely involved with the national team, believes that despite England being favored, there are significant weaknesses that his team can exploit.

Zakuani, who has been a regular commentator on BBC Radio 5 Live during the tournament, opted out of co-commentating on the England game due to the emotional investment he has in the DR Congo squad. Having played a role in assembling the team from the Congolese diaspora across Europe, he feels a deep connection to Sébastien Desabre’s side.

World Cup History and Progress

The Leopards’ journey to the knockout stages has already been historic. Their 1-1 draw against Portugal in their opening match marked their first World Cup appearance since 1974, when they competed as Zaire. This performance demonstrated they could compete at the highest level. Their progress was further solidified by a comeback victory against Uzbekistan, setting up the highly anticipated clash with England.

Exploiting England’s Weaknesses

Zakuani is of the opinion that England’s approach to games presents opportunities for DR Congo. “There are holes in England. I think it’s been glaring,” he stated. “When you sit back against England, they struggle to open you up. I don’t think they selected players who are capable of doing that on a regular basis. That’s what we’ll exploit.”

He specifically pointed to the threat of Jude Bellingham, suggesting that neutralizing him would significantly impact England’s offensive capabilities. “If you stop Jude Bellingham, I think you stop a lot of England,” he added. Zakuani is confident in his team’s defensive and athletic prowess, believing they can contain England. “We’re very athletic and we’re very good defensively. And I think we’ve got a bit more than Ghana going forward.”

The key, according to Zakuani, will be patience and clinical finishing. “So I would say if we can hold them for as long as possible, we will get chances. And we just have to be clinical when we do get those chances. That’s the way I see us beating England.”

Diaspora Talent and Player Allegiances

A notable aspect of the current DR Congo squad is the significant presence of players born outside the country who have opted to represent the Leopards. Zakuani himself has been instrumental in convincing players like Yoane Wissa, Noah Sadiki, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka to commit their international futures to DR Congo.

Sadiki, who has had an impressive season with Sunderland and is reportedly attracting interest from Premier League clubs, was a particular focus for Zakuani. “I had a long conversation with Sadiki and realised early on that he’s very passionate about playing for Congo,” Zakuani explained. He noted Sadiki’s desire to play for Congo even when he felt he should have been in the Belgian national team as a teenager.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s journey to representing DR Congo also highlights the strategy. After feeling overlooked for an England call-up, Wan-Bissaka, who had previously played for England’s U21 team, decided to switch his allegiance. Zakuani, along with coach Sébastien Desabre, actively pursued the player, even meeting with his parents to discuss the possibility. Zakuani believes Wan-Bissaka has had a “fantastic tournament” and that his decision was a natural consequence of not being recognized by England.

Team Unity and Motivation

Zakuani emphasized the strong unity within the DR Congo squad, forged through a challenging qualification campaign that included victories over African powerhouses Cameroon and Nigeria. This experience of playing under consistent pressure, he believes, has prepared them well for the World Cup.

“That journey has probably stood us in good stead in terms of getting through the playoffs, getting used to playing under pressure consistently. The unity is there for everyone to see,” he asserted. “Inside that dressing room, they believe they can get a result. I believe there could be a scalp here. I’m not just saying it because I’m on the Congolese side.”

Key facts

This upcoming fixture presents a compelling narrative of an underdog team with a strong sense of identity and belief, aiming to cause a significant upset on the world stage. The insights from Gabriel Zakuani provide a unique perspective on the tactical and psychological aspects of this highly anticipated encounter.

Source: The Guardian Football – https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jul/01/england-dr-congo-world-cup-shock-last-32-atlanta