My 2026 World Cup experience – The Lion’s Roar

Round of 32 match between England vs. DR Congo – July 1 

Attending a match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup was something I will never forget. I’ve watched every World Cup since 2010 and looked forward to it every four years, becoming a big soccer fan over that time period.

When it was announced that the United States would get to host the 2026 edition, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

My dad has a friend who lives 30 minutes outside of Atlanta, one of the main host cities for matches. I wanted to see one of the favorites in action, and England fit the bill.

I watch the English Premier League year-round, so it only made sense to watch the Three Lions live. After topping Group L, England was set to face a third-place team in the Round of 32 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

They were matched up with DR Congo. The tournament debutantes hailing from Africa earned a shock 1-1 draw with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal in their opening group stage match and defeated Uzbekistan 3-1 on the final day of the group stage to advance to the knockout stage.

England won the match 2-1 with late goals from Harry Kane in the 75th and 86th minutes after the underdog Leopards took a shock 1-0 lead following a 7’ near-post strike from Brian Cipenga that beat England Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford for pace.

Cipenga celebrated in style with an acrobatic flip through the air as the small pocket of DR Congo fans erupted into pandemonium.

Les Leopards nearly doubled their advantage in the 42’ when Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s low cross found Yoane Wissa, who struck the near post with his point-blank effort from six yards out.

The Congolese defended valiantly throughout the second half until England’s marksman Kane finally breached the Leopards’ defense in the 75th minute with a headed effort back across goal following a cross from substitute Anthony Gordon; DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi got his hands to it but couldn’t keep out Kane’s effort.

‘Sir Harry’ completed his brace with a jaw-dropping strike into the roof of the net, sending the England fans into a frenzy in the 86th minute, turning the match on its head. The England captain exclaimed, “What now?!” to the cameras after his goal celebration, silencing the critics.

The hospitality and friendliness shown by everyone involved in the event was so nice to see: the world coming together for “The Beautiful Game.”

From being allowed to park our car at a nearby Walgreens by the Ghanaian store manager to our Uber rides with a Washington, D.C., native and a Nigerian, to my interactions with fans in the stadium, the 2026 World Cup will always be a special experience I’m thankful I was able to be a part of.

Sitting among the English fans, I was splashed with a bit of beer after Kane put England ahead, only adding to the experience. The pure excitement and pride of watching fans cheer their country on the world’s grandest stage was something to behold, showing how sports bring people together.

Ultimately, the Three Lions advanced to the Round of 16 with a victory over a scrappy Les Leopards side that gave them all they could handle.

England reached the semifinals, only to lose to defending champion Argentina 2-1 after taking a 1-0 lead, a reversal of the match with DR Congo.

The Three Lions held on to beat France 6-4 in a thrilling third-place match for their best finish at a World Cup since winning it on home soil in 1966 — 60 years prior.