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Tuchel warns England: 'Nothing to lose' DR Congo a threat
1 Jul
Summary
- England manager Tuchel stresses caution against DR Congo.
- Recent World Cup upsets highlight narrow margins in football.
- Injured Reece James and Jarell Quansah unavailable for England.
As of July 1, 2026, England manager Thomas Tuchel is urging his squad to remain focused ahead of their World Cup last-32 match against the Democratic Republic of Congo. Tuchel acknowledged England's favorite status but stressed that recent tournament upsets, including Germany's exit to Paraguay and Morocco's victory over the Netherlands, demonstrate the narrow margins in modern football.
Tuchel explained that these results serve as a reminder not to become complacent, as teams like DR Congo, who have exceeded expectations, have the advantage of playing with no pressure. He believes England has the team spirit and quality to capitalize on limited opportunities and secure a victory.
England will be without injured right-back Reece James and his replacement Jarell Quansah. Tuchel noted the competitive nature of the squad, indicating depth even with these absences. Preparations for potential penalty shootouts are also underway, focusing on managing the unique pressure of knockout matches.
