England enter the last 32 against DR Congo with Thomas Tuchel facing his first elimination match in charge and a series of selection puzzles that could define their World Cup trajectory.

The most pressing concern is at right-back. Reece James’ hamstring injury and Jarell Quansah’s ankle problem have stripped Tuchel of his two primary options. That leaves Djed Spence as the only specialist, with Trevoh Chalobah and, in extremis, Ezri Konsa as makeshift alternatives. Spence has largely operated on the left in this tournament, but his energy and composure have impressed. The expectation is that Tuchel now trusts him to handle his natural flank in a high-stakes environment.

Further forward, the balance around Harry Kane remains central to England’s attacking identity. Tuchel has encouraged Kane to drop deep and release runners, favouring raw pace out wide. Yet against compact opponents like Panama, Kane’s decisive contribution came in the box, heading home from close range. DR Congo’s tendency to sit in a low-to-mid block suggests England may again need Kane as a penalty-area finisher rather than a roaming playmaker.

Jude Bellingham’s role is another key subplot. With Declan Rice returning, Bellingham is likely to be repositioned, but the aim is unchanged: keep him close to the action. His performance against Panama, drifting into the left channel to score one and create another, underlined his ability to influence games from multiple zones. How Tuchel structures the midfield triangle around Rice, Bellingham and Elliot Anderson will shape England’s control and creativity.

Out wide, Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford are pushing to retain their places after starting against Panama. Rashford’s end product was inconsistent, but his threat level far exceeded that of Anthony Gordon, while Saka appears to have come through his Achilles concerns and offers superior involvement and set-piece quality. Their higher shot volume and touches compared with Noni Madueke and Gordon point to a front line built for sustained pressure.

Behind them, Jordan Pickford’s status as undisputed No 1 is under scrutiny. Early-tournament errors and a negative goals-prevented figure have raised questions about his form. England need the calm, decisive Pickford of previous tournaments if they are to survive the fine margins of knockout football.

DR Congo’s deep defensive structure will test England’s biggest weakness so far: turning territorial dominance and frequent shots into clear chances. The numbers show England can generate attempts against low blocks; the challenge in Atlanta is to improve the quality and ruthlessness of those opportunities when it matters most.