The report describes West Green Road as a gathering point for London’s Congolese community, with flags in windows, blue-and-yellow clothing and conversations in Lingala and French.
Eden, who runs Eden Store, says the area became a home for many Congolese people who arrived in Britain. His family has run the shop for decades, and he describes the match as a proud moment for a nation he still feels closely connected to.
The support is not limited to Congolese fans. The report says followers of other African teams have also backed the side, adding to the sense that the knockout tie carries wider significance across the diaspora.
Goldie Bashala, who manages The Bash Restaurant Cafe Bar with her husband, describes Seven Sisters as a longstanding meeting place for Congolese residents. Even matches played in Congo have brought people together there, the report says.
For Guylaine Sambo, who runs Guylaine Style, the World Cup has offered a chance to make the community’s presence more visible.
“Se o Congo vencer, West Green Road vai celebrar, e o dia será da comunidade,” Sambo said - if Congo win, the street will celebrate, and the day will belong to the community.
The report says Congo reached the knockout stage after a 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan, with the appearance described as the country’s first at the World Cup in 52 years. Those milestones have intensified the pride around the team.
England, meanwhile, will face the pressure of expectation. For the Congolese community in London, that pressure only makes the occasion more compelling: a national team seeking a historic result against the country many supporters also call home.
With kickoff scheduled for 5pm on Wednesday, July 1, the next storyline is whether Congo’s momentum can carry from West Green Road into the stadium.