Atlanta Takes Center Stage as England Faces DR Congo and Team USA Begins Knockout Push

ATLANTA — The 2026 FIFA World Cup knockout stage is officially underway, and Atlanta is once again at the center of the soccer world.

On Wednesday, July 1, Atlanta Stadium hosts a major Round of 32 matchup as England takes on DR Congo at 12:00 p.m. ET. The match is the first knockout-stage game in Atlanta after the city successfully hosted multiple group-stage matches earlier in the tournament. The winner will advance to face co-host Mexico in the Round of 16 on Sunday, July 5.

England enters the match as one of the tournament favorites after winning Group L. The Three Lions have star power across the field and are looking to take another step toward ending their long wait for a second World Cup title. With players such as Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Bukayo Saka leading the way, England has the talent to make a deep run.

But the knockout stage has already proven that favorites are not safe. Germany and the Netherlands were both eliminated earlier in the Round of 32, creating a reminder that reputation means very little once the match begins. For England, the focus will be on controlling possession, finishing chances and avoiding the type of mistake that can change an entire tournament.

DR Congo enters the matchup as one of the tournament’s most inspiring stories. The Leopards have already made history by reaching the knockout stage and now have an opportunity to deliver one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup. While England may be favored on paper, DR Congo has shown confidence, toughness and belief throughout the tournament.

For Atlanta fans, the matchup brings another international showcase to a city that has fully embraced the World Cup. Fans from both nations are expected to bring energy, color and passion to Atlanta Stadium, creating another unforgettable scene inside one of the tournament’s premier venues.

Later tonight, attention shifts to Team USA as the United States faces Bosnia and Herzegovina in its own Round of 32 matchup at 8:00 p.m. ET in Santa Clara, California. The U.S. advanced to the knockout stage after winning Group D and now carries the pressure of continuing its World Cup journey on home soil.

For the Americans, this is where the tournament truly begins. Group-stage success helped build confidence, but the knockout rounds leave no margin for error. One win sends the United States into the Round of 16. One loss ends the dream much earlier than fans across the country hoped.

Christian Pulisic remains the face of the U.S. attack and will be one of the key players to watch against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Alongside him, the Americans will need strong performances from Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Tyler Adams and goalkeeper Matt Turner. The U.S. will look to play with pace, press high and use the energy of the home crowd to its advantage.

Bosnia and Herzegovina enters the match as a dangerous opponent with nothing to lose. While the U.S. may be favored, Bosnia has enough quality to create problems, especially if the Americans are careless in possession or fail to capitalize on early scoring chances.

The winner of Team USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina will move on to face the winner of Belgium vs. Senegal in the Round of 16 on Monday, July 6. That potential matchup would be another major test for the Americans if they advance.

Together, England vs. DR Congo and Team USA vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina give fans a full day of World Cup drama. Atlanta gets the spotlight early with a marquee international matchup, while the United States takes center stage later in the evening with its tournament future on the line.

As the knockout stage continues, every match carries more pressure, more emotion and more consequence. For Atlanta, today is another chance to show why it has become one of the standout host cities of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. For England, it is about handling expectations. For DR Congo, it is about extending history. And for Team USA, it is about protecting home soil and keeping a championship dream alive.

The group stage is over. The pressure is here. And the road to the World Cup trophy now runs through moments like this.