Pick Mainoo over Anderson against DR Congo, says Rooney

England’s World Cup 2026 midfield is the talking point before Wednesday’s last-32 tie with DR Congo, and Wayne Rooney has come down firmly on one side. The former England captain says he would start Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo ahead of Elliot Anderson — a bold call that puts form and fearlessness above an established starter heading into a knockout game.

Why Rooney wants Mainoo in from the start

Rooney’s verdict is clear: he would start Kobbie Mainoo over Elliot Anderson against DR Congo. The 21-year-old has not played at this World Cup yet, but Rooney believes his progression under Michael Carrick at United — after dropping out of the side under Ruben Amorim — has earned him a knockout-stage start.

Mainoo has not won a competitive cap for England since September 2024. He featured in the country’s past four friendlies but failed to come off the bench in the group games, making Rooney’s call a notable vote of confidence in a player still waiting for his tournament debut.

The case for Elliot Anderson

Anderson goes into the tie as the man in possession, having started all of England’s group matches. He is also close to a club-record £116m move to Manchester City from Nottingham Forest, a transfer that underlines how highly his form is rated right now.

That blend of momentum and trust is exactly why the call is so finely balanced. A manager backing the in-form starter has a strong argument; Rooney’s counter is that a knockout game can reward a fresh, fearless option who changes the rhythm in midfield.

What’s at stake for England against DR Congo

The last-32 tie is England’s first knockout test of the 2026 World Cup, and the midfield selection will shape how they handle it. Against an opponent likely to sit deep, England need a midfielder who can break lines and unlock a packed defence.

Whoever starts, the midfield battle will be watched minute by minute. A well-timed change around the hour mark could decide the game — and the bigger debate, Mainoo or Anderson, may define how England look for the rest of the tournament.

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