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  1. get involved

    Get Involved - Planning fail exhibit Apublished at 13:12 BST

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    The band my son is in have their first 'gig' at the school summer concert this evening, so we have to leave just after 6pm to get there. Lots of very proud - and frustrated - parents! Should get to see the first half though.

    Chris, Lincolnshire

  2. Postpublished at 13:11 BST

    We asked you earlier if you had any unfortunate issues that would stop you from watching today's game.

    Goose got in touch to tell us he had moved forward his daughter's 18th birthday meal to free up the 5pm kick-off time.

    Others have not been able to re-arrange their day quite as successfully...

  3. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Happy 21st & 18th birthday, girls'published at 13:09 BST

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    Rob & Spud, Colne: RE Goose, Edinburgh - it's my daughter's 21st. Yep - she was born July 1st 2006... 2 hours later she was introduced to the joys of being knocked out of the World Cup on pens. Happy birthday to our girls! [for Darcey].

  4. Who should Tuchel start at right-back?published at 13:04 BST

    England v DR Congo (Wed, 17:00 BST)

    Thomas TuchelImage source, Getty Images

    Jarell Quansah came off with a twisted ankle in England's 2-0 win over Panama on Saturday, with Djed Spence replacing the Bayer Leverkusen defender.

    The former Liverpool player had come into the side for his World Cup debut after Chelsea right-back Reece James was ruled out with a hamstring injury sustained in the 0-0 draw with Ghana in England's second group game.

    Tuchel had previously said James could be in contention for the DR Congo match, but has now ruled him out.

    The injuries at right-back have put scrutiny on Tuchel's squad selection for this tournament with some questioning whether the make-up of the squad is balanced.

    On the eve of England's first game of the tournament, Newcastle full-back Tino Livramento withdrew from the squad with a calf issue, with Trevoh Chalobah called up in his place.

    Tuchel said Chalobah was called up as a central defensive option, with Quansah and Spence the players to cover the full-back areas.

    • Who would you start at right-back? Click 'Get Involved' with your suggestions.
  5. Why England's back four has no stabilitypublished at 13:02 BST

    England v DR Congo (Wed, 17:00 BST)

    Here's a recap of what Wayne Rooney and Micah Richards thought of England's defence following the 2-0 win over Panama...

  6. Quansah and James out of DR Congo gamepublished at 12:57 BST

    England v DR Congo (Wed, 17:00 BST)

    Right-back options Jarell Quansah and Reece James will miss England's World Cup last-32 match against DR Congo because of injury.

    The pair did not take part in training on Tuesday before Wednesday's game in Atlanta (17:00 BST), which is live on BBC One and iPlayer.

    England manager Thomas Tuchel could utilise Djed Spence at right-back again, or move versatile Aston Villa man Ezri Konsa from central defence.

    "They are getting close," Tuchel said of the missing pair. "In the nature of their injury, Jarell is a little bit ahead of Reece.

    "But the race was close even to make it into the match squad this time, so we need to make sure that we have more matches.

    "That is the main focus, and then they will be available very soon."

    QuansahImage source, Getty Images
  7. Postpublished at 12:55 BST

    While we are talking England selection issues, it's only right and proper that we discuss the defence...

  8. 'Rice stands alongside Kane & Bellingham as a player England cannot replace'published at 12:52 BST

    England v DR Congo (Wed, 17:00 BST)

    Phil McNulty
    BBC Sport chief football writer

    Having qualified from the group stage with a game to spare, Thomas Tuchel chose to rest Declan Rice for the win against Panama, a common sense move with Arsenal's outstanding midfielder on a yellow card, while also dealing with injury concerns of his own.

    Rice has been managing a hamstring problem, and, as mentioned, also took a kick on the calf against Ghana.

    England's display against Panama, where they conceded 13 shots to the underdogs and looked too open to counter-attacks, simply confirmed Rice now stands alongside captain Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham as a player who England simply cannot replace.

    Tuchel's selection of attack-minded pair Bellingham and Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers brought its rewards, but also left England exposed, leaving Elliot Anderson overworked and over-run in central midfield, through no fault of his own.

    More accomplished sides than Panama would have inflicted serious punishment.

    It only underlined Rice's importance. If England are to win the World Cup, they will need his quality in providing a defensive screen, creation going forward, game intelligence - and of course, his delivery from set pieces.

    Rice not only provides the platform to shield England's questionable defence. He contributes in attack.

    In short, he is irreplaceable.

    EnglaImage source, Getty Images
  9. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Go all guns blazing'published at 12:51 BST

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    Nico and Marcus on the left. Djed and Noni on the right. Go all guns blazing and win 5-0. En-Ger-Lund, En-Ger-Land, En-Ger-Land!!!!

    Rick, Devon

  10. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Switch to 3-5-2 formation'published at 12:50 BST

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    England should switch to a 3-5-2 formation with a back three of Konza, Stones, Guehi and a midfield of Rashford, Rice, Anderson, Mainoo, Saka with Bellingham supporting Kane up front. Mainoo can carry the ball and win free kicks near their box which gives us a set piece platform.

    Gareth, Watford

  11. Rice recovered from calf issuepublished at 12:45 BST

    England v DR Congo (Wed, 17:00 BST)

    Declan Rice was rested for the 2-0 win over Panama after taking a heavy blow to the calf in the goalless draw with Ghana last Tuesday.

    The 27-year-old midfielder was unable to complete the full training schedule before the win over Panama, although he did return in time for the team's final session before travelling to New Jersey.

    In Rice's absence, Thomas Tuchel started with a midfield of Elliot Anderson and Jude Bellingham.

    RiceImage source, Getty Images
  12. Rice expected to returnpublished at 12:43 BST
    Breaking

    England v DR Congo (Wed, 17:00 BST)

    Sami Mokbel
    BBC Sport Senior football correspondent

    Declan Rice is expected to return to England’s starting XI in this afternoon’s last 16 tie versus DR Congo.

    Rice missed the game versus Panama with a calf issue, but BBC Sport revealed earlier this week that the midfielder would be passed fit to play.

    And it is understood Thomas Tuchel is likely to hand Rice an instant return to the starting XI against Congo.

  13. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Hopefully we will be singing Sweet Caroline around 2pm EST'published at 12:42 BST

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    Up early at home in Sarasota, FL, originally from Watford. Another exciting day ahead with Sarasota England Supporters club at Raffurtys Sports Bar on Main Street. It will be packed and hopefully we will be signing Sweet Caroline around 2pm EST. COME ON ENGLAND!!!!

    Paul, Florida

  14. Postpublished at 12:41 BST

    Shall we hear from some of those fans Stateside?

  15. No doom and gloom herepublished at 12:39 BST

    England v DR Congo (Wed, 17:00 BST)

    Of course we are here for everyone, but the more upbeat and fun the better.

    At least there has been little evidence of doom and gloom among England fans over in the States - just the usual assortment of kings, knights and lions...

    England fans in AmericaImage source, Getty Images
    England fans in AmericaImage source, Getty Images
    England fans in AmericaImage source, Getty Images

    ...as well as some bows and a sombrero?

    England fan in AmericaImage source, Getty Images
    England fan in a sombreroImage source, Getty Images
  16. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Doom and gloom is old and boring'published at 12:34 BST

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    Enough with the negativity. DR Congo deserve respect, but England have the quality to get the job done. Instead of fearing every hurdle, let's enjoy supporting a squad capable of something special. World Cups are won through belief, unity and big moments. Why not us?

    Steven, Chesterfield

    England fans, grow up. We have a very decent squad and a very decent manager, it’s a long and hard tournament and we should go far but might not. We might go far and we might not but the doom and gloom is old and boring.

    Kieran, Brighton

  17. How Tuchel is still searching for solutions out wide - Shearerpublished at 12:31 BST

    England v DR Congo (Wed, 17:00 BST)

    Alan Shearer
    Former England striker

    There are lots of reasons to be positive about England so far at this World Cup but having a settled side is not one of them.

    The main aim was to top our group, and we did that, but we have arrived in the last 32 after so much chopping and changing in several positions that we are no closer to knowing what our best team is.

    It feels like Thomas Tuchel is still searching for some solutions, three games in.

    You don't have to have all the answers, even at this stage of a tournament - injuries and suspensions mean teams always have to adapt ideas and personnel as they progress - but Tuchel has quite a lot to sort out before we face DR Congo in Atlanta on Wednesday.

    There is no doubt he is trying to find which combinations of full-backs and wingers work best for the team on both flanks - there have been nine different ones already across 270 minutes, involving eight different players.

    The reason Tuchel has tried so many is that he has not quite worked it out yet. Obviously the injuries to Reece James and Jarell Quansah at right-back have not helped and neither has Bukayo Saka not being 100% fit.

    But, for whatever reason, we have not posed a consistent threat down the flanks and constantly changing the back four has not helped our defensively stability either.

    We've looked uncomfortable whenever teams have attacked us, which is a worry.

    Who do you think should start for England?

    Grpah
  18. get involved

    Get Involved - 'Wingers coming inside too much'published at 12:29 BST

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    England need their wingers to get to the byline and pepper the box with decent crosses. Last game they were coming inside too much, trying to get through a well set defence.

    Gary, Jersey

  19. Postpublished at 12:27 BST

    It does seem at least that England manager Thomas Tuchel has heeded that warning.

    The question is, what solutions has he found to the problems DR Congo will likely pose?

  20. DR Congo suffer but rarely break...England have been warnedpublished at 12:26 BST

    England v DR Congo (Wed, 17:00 BST)

    Prudent Nsengiyumva
    BBC Sport journalist

    DR Congo’s group stage offered a clear message that when the opposition steps up, they don’t fold.

    Against Portugal and Colombia, two sides operating at a far higher level than Ghana, Sébastien Desabre’s team held firm in ways the raw possession numbers don’t show.

    They conceded just 0.65 Expected Goals Against (the quality of chances they were expected to concede) against Portugal and 0.98 against Colombia, despite facing 27 shots across those two matches.

    Portugal found only 10 touches in the DR Congo box, Colombia just 10 as well, a sign of how effectively the Leopards protect dangerous areas.

    They absorb pressure, stay compact, and wait for mistakes. It’s not glamorous, but it’s very effective.

    England will dominate the ball, but these two games are the warning. DR Congo suffer in matches, but they rarely break.

    Media caption,

    Colombia confirm their place in the round of 32 with win over DR Congo

    Media caption,

    Portugal 1-1 DR Congo Highlights - World Cup 2026