England have officially secured their place in the next round of the World Cup after defeating DR Congo 2-1 in a tense match on July 1, 2026. The victory sent Birmingham fans into a frenzy, with celebrations erupting across the city.
Harry Kane scores twice in quick succession
England captain Harry Kane broke the deadlock in the 75th minute, slotting home the first goal against DR Congo. Less than 10 minutes later, he struck again, doubling England's lead and taking the score to 2-1. The goals sparked wild scenes among supporters watching at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, United States, and back home in Birmingham.
Luna Springs in Digbeth goes wild
At Luna Springs in Digbeth, the atmosphere reached fever pitch. Drinks flew through the air as fans waved England flags and jumped for joy. A sea of red and white shirts filled the venue, with celebrations continuing long after the final whistle.
One fan on X praised Kane: "Harry Kane the best England player of all time." Another added: "Once again Thomas Tuchel managed to get his players to turn things around in the second half." A third supporter wrote: "Never doubted england."
England's path to the World Cup final
With the win, England advances to the last 16, where they will face Mexico on Monday, July 6 in Mexico City. The kick-off time is set for 1am BST. If England prevails, they will meet either Brazil or Norway in the quarter-finals on July 11 in Miami.
Potential semi-final opponents on July 15 include Argentina, Cape Verde, Australia, Egypt, Switzerland, Algeria, Colombia, or Ghana. The possibility of England securing the World Cup 2026 title has Brummies over the moon, with hopes high that football may finally be "coming home."
