Why isn’t Anthony Gordon starting for England against DR Congo at the 2026 World Cup?

Leaving Anthony Gordon out of the starting XI has instantly fueled the fire ahead of England’s do-or-die Round of 32 battle with DR Congo. With Thomas Tuchel throwing a major tactical curveball right before kickoff, fans are demanding answers. Dive into the exact reason behind this debated lineup change as the Three Lions gear up to fight for their World Cup survival.

England enters the knockout stage after finishing top of Group L, while DR Congo arrives as one of the tournament’s best third-placed teams following an impressive group-stage campaign. Victory will send the winner into a Round of 16 meeting with Mexico, making every selection decision even more significant.

The Three Lions opened with an entertaining 4-2 victory over Croatia, followed by a frustrating 0-0 draw against Ghana before eventually overcoming Panama 2-0. Those performances exposed England’s occasional difficulties against teams willing to defend deep. DR Congo is expected to adopt a similarly organized approach after frustrating Portugal during a 1-1 draw earlier in the tournament.

The African nation, meanwhile, has earned widespread praise for its performances during the group stage. DR Congo drew with Portugal, narrowly lost 1-0 to Colombia, and then defeated Uzbekistan 3-1, securing a historic place in the knockout rounds after a 52-year absence from the World Cup.

Why Anthony Gordon is starting on the bench

With the release of the team news, the mystery surrounding Anthony Gordon’s exclusion became clearer. Marcus Rashford has retained his place on the left wing after impressing during England’s recent performances, with Tuchel rewarding the Manchester United forward for his form rather than making another change.

According to multiple pre-match reports, Rashford’s display against Panama convinced the England manager to maintain continuity heading into the knockout stage. Gordon featured prominently in the opening group matches against Croatia and Ghana but struggled to consistently influence proceedings, leaving the door open for Rashford to seize the opportunity.

Tuchel’s decision appears to be based on tactical considerations as much as individual form. DR Congo has built its tournament success on a disciplined defensive structure, and Rashford’s pace, experience and direct running are viewed as qualities that could help unlock a compact back line.

Rather than indicating a loss of confidence in Gordon, the selection reflects England’s depth in attacking positions. Gordon remains a valuable option from the bench should Tuchel require fresh energy later in the contest.

England makes three changes for the knockout clash

Thomas Tuchel has made three alterations to the side that defeated Panama in the final group-stage match. With Declan Rice returning after recovering from a calf problem, Tottenham defender Djed Spence starts at right-back, while Noni Madueke replaces Bukayo Saka, who has been rested on the bench to manage his fitness.

England is also without injured defenders Jarell Quansah and Reece James, forcing Tuchel into defensive adjustments. Spence gets the opportunity after replacing Quansah during the victory over Panama when the Liverpool defender suffered an ankle injury.