World Cup 2026: England to face DR Congo, Clarke quits Scotland, South Korea president blasts team

England will face DR Congo in the round of 32 at the 2026 World Cup after topping Group L, one of the first confirmed knockout ties of the expanded tournament.

The matchup came as the knockout stage began on June 28, bringing the first round of eliminations and a fresh bracket for the teams that advanced from the group phase. DR Congo moved through as one of the best third-placed teams, setting up a high-profile meeting with England.

Jordan Henderson also became the first England player to appear in four World Cups, adding a notable individual milestone to the team’s opening knockout assignment.

England's knockout path

England’s place in the last 32 was confirmed alongside the bracket that now defines their route through the tournament. Topping the group gives them a direct path into the first knockout round, where the margin for error immediately disappears.

The DR Congo tie is significant for Africa as well as for England. DR Congo’s progression into the knockout stage is a major result for the federation, and the team now has a chance to test itself against one of the tournament favourites.

Clarke quits Scotland

The day’s fallout was not limited to the bracket. Scotland head coach Steve Clarke resigned after his side were eliminated in the group stage, ending a seven-year spell in charge.

A separate report said Clarke stepped down within about an hour of Scotland’s exit. His departure leaves Scotland facing an immediate search for a new head coach as the country begins another reset after a major tournament disappointment.

South Korea under pressure

South Korea also exited at the group stage, and the reaction at home was swift. President Lee Jae Myung publicly criticised the team’s setup and leadership choices after the elimination.

That criticism adds a political dimension to the sporting fallout and points to possible further debate over selection and management decisions inside South Korean football.

What happens next

For England, the immediate focus is the round-of-32 meeting with DR Congo. The tournament bracket is now live, and the next stage will quickly narrow the field.

For Scotland, the next development is the coaching succession process. For South Korea, the next questions are whether the federation or team leadership responds to the president’s comments and whether those remarks lead to changes off the pitch.

The opening of the knockout phase has therefore delivered both a major fixture and immediate post-exit consequences for two other teams leaving the competition.