Noni Madueke Prepares for England's Knockout Clash Against DR Congo

Noni Madueke is exactly where he always wanted to be – at a World Cup, wearing an England shirt, walking into knockout football.

He is not remotely satisfied.

On Wednesday at 5pm UK time, England face DR Congo in the Round of 32 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Madueke sounds like a man who sees this as a starting point, not a destination. A first World Cup. A first knockout tie. A first real crack at ending 60 years without a major trophy.

“It’s a dream come true to compete in the World Cup,” he told the media on Tuesday. “I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

The sentiment was heartfelt, but he didn’t linger on the romance of it for long. The conversation quickly turned to responsibility, expectation, and what comes next.

“The first objective was achieved, so I’m really happy about that and I’m looking forward to the knockout stages now,” he said. “You have to feel like [you can step up], you’re a top player, you’re here for a reason.

“You’re playing for your country on the biggest stage and you have to have the excessive confidence in your ability. Knockout football is where it’s at, so I’m trying to be at my best for that. At the end of the day, alongside your teammates on that pitch, it’s down to you to deliver.”

A different kind of test

England’s route to this point has already featured frustration. Ghana’s deep, disciplined block held Thomas Tuchel’s side to a goalless draw in the group stage, a reminder that the Three Lions are a scalp, and opponents will happily sit in to take their chances.

DR Congo are likely to offer something similar: compact, organised, stubborn. A team that doesn’t mind defending for long spells if it keeps them alive in the tournament.

Madueke knows exactly what awaits.

“I feel like every team has difficulties with the opposition setting up 11 players in 30 metres of space, it’s not easy to break down,” he admitted. “I think we’ve seen other top nations struggle as well. It’s just part of football now.

“Of course, when you play England, naturally you’re going to have a defensive approach because of the quality in our team. I expect a difficult game, for sure.

“When you get to this stage of the World Cup, you can’t take any opposition lightly. They will have their strengths and their qualities. The game will definitely be difficult and we’ll be ready from the start.”

The message was clear: no complacency, no shortcuts. England’s attacking talent might fill a highlight reel, but this tie will be about patience, precision and taking the one moment that matters.

Depth, pressure and a restless dressing room

If there is one area where England hold a clear advantage, it is the sheer volume of attacking options at Tuchel’s disposal. The manager has rotated aggressively through the group stages, leaning on a bench stacked with players who would start for most nations.

Madueke has lived that reality. Two starts, one appearance off the bench, and no guarantees about what comes next.

“I feel like you always have to be at the highest level, because you know you have a top player waiting and biting at your heels to try and get in the team,” he said.

That pressure doesn’t rattle him. It feels familiar.

“That type of healthy competition is good, but playing for Arsenal and England, you don’t really need anyone else to keep you at the highest level, you know that that’s a requirement.”

At Arsenal, that competition has a name: Bukayo Saka. Club teammates, rivals for the same position, and now locked in the same battle for minutes with England.

Sharing a flank, sharing a dream

Two right-footed wingers. One spot, more often than not. It could be awkward. Madueke insists it isn’t.

“Normally it should be a little strange, but it’s not,” he said. “I feel like it doesn’t affect our relationship. We want the best for each other when each other plays, because that means if he plays well, I play well, then Arsenal and England have a better chance of winning.”

That line revealed the mindset inside Arsenal’s title-winning dressing room – and why so many of those players have carried an edge into this tournament.

“I feel like that winning feeling lingers,” Madueke added. “It’s great to take [a Premier League title] into a tournament as big and as prominent as the World Cup. It definitely fills you with confidence.”

Winning changes how players walk into these games. It changes how they talk about them too. For Madueke, the Premier League title is not a medal to admire; it’s proof that he belongs at this level, that pressure can be embraced rather than endured.

Arsenal wings, global stage

Even while he was sitting in front of the cameras, Arsenal were still finding ways to shape the World Cup narrative. As Madueke spoke, Gabriel Martinelli was busy scoring a late winner for Brazil.

Word filtered through. The smile arrived instantly.

“For sure, I’m happy for him,” Madueke said. “I hope he continues to do extremely well, just not if they play us!”

It was a light line, but it captured the moment perfectly: Arsenal’s wide men scattered across continents, dragging their countries forward, occasionally on a collision course.

For Madueke, the next step is DR Congo. A first knockout tie. A chance to turn “dream come true” into something far more tangible.

England have waited six decades for a major title. Players like Madueke are here to decide whether that wait finally ends.