England take on DR Congo in the World Cup Round of 32 on July 1 at Atlanta Stadium, and the match carries weight that extends well beyond the pitch. It’s the first knockout stage appearance in World Cup history for DR Congo, a milestone moment for African football. It’s also one of the highest-profile fixtures yet to feature Kraken’s branding since the exchange became FIFA’s first Official Crypto Exchange Supporter.
That Kraken deal, announced on June 9, 2026, was designed to embed crypto visibility into exactly these kinds of moments: massive global audiences, emotionally charged matches, and the kind of cultural reach that banner ads on Twitter could never replicate.
What’s actually happening on the pitch
England topped Group L to secure their path into the knockout rounds. Thomas Tuchel’s side now faces a DR Congo team riding a wave of momentum after a dramatic comeback victory over Uzbekistan punched their ticket to the Round of 32.
This is only the third time England have faced an African nation in the knockout stages of a World Cup.
