DR Congo vs Uzbekistan: Match Preview
FIFA World Cup 2026 · Group K · Round 3
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
Saturday, 27 June · 19:30 ET (23:30 GMT)
DR Congo (3rd in Group K, 1 pt) vs Uzbekistan (4th in Group K, 0 pts) — DR Congo need a win to keep their hopes of a best-third-place finish alive, while already-eliminated Uzbekistan are chasing a first World Cup win and first clean sheet.
Intro
This is the other side of Group K’s final-day double-header, running simultaneously with Colombia vs Portugal in Miami. Both teams here have already written pieces of history just by competing — DR Congo scored their first-ever World Cup goal through Yoane Wissa in a 1-1 draw with Portugal, while Uzbekistan netted their own historic opener through Abbosbek Fayzullaev before being thrashed 5-0 in their following game. Now, with Uzbekistan mathematically out and DR Congo needing a win to have any route through as one of the eight best third-placed teams, this is a match with one side still fighting and the other playing for pride and a first positive result.
What’s at Stake
DR Congo
Sit third with a single point from the draw against Portugal. Only a win keeps any realistic hope of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams alive, and even then the result will need to be paired with favourable goal-difference outcomes elsewhere.
Uzbekistan
Already eliminated after defeats to Colombia and Portugal, conceding eight goals across two games. The motivation now is a first World Cup win, a first clean sheet, and a respectable finish to a difficult debut campaign.
Historic Stakes
Whatever happens, both teams have already delivered landmark moments on their World Cup debuts — DR Congo’s point against Portugal and both sides’ first-ever World Cup goals are achievements that will stand regardless of Saturday’s result.
The Tactical Battlefield
🇨🇩 DR Congo — Formation: 4-2-3-1
- Style: Compact and disciplined, organised in a mid-to-low block with quick transitions through Wissa and Mayele
- Main Threat: Yoane Wissa’s movement and finishing, plus Arthur Masuaku’s delivery from wide areas
- Vulnerability: Created little against Colombia and need more sustained attacking threat if they’re to find the win their situation demands
- Key Duel: DR Congo’s front line vs Uzbekistan’s defence, which has conceded eight goals in two matches and looked short of top-level pace
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan — Formation: 4-3-3
- Style: Came into the tournament well-organised on paper but have been overrun physically and technically by both opponents faced so far
- Main Threat: Abbosbek Fayzullaev’s movement off the front, and Eldor Shomurodov’s experience as a focal point up top
- Vulnerability: Have conceded eight goals in two matches, including five without reply against Portugal, and have struggled to deal with sustained pressure
- Key Duel: Uzbekistan’s back line vs a DR Congo attack that will look to exploit the same spaces Colombia and Portugal already found
Five Players to Watch
🇨🇩 Yoane Wissa — DR Congo forward Scored the country’s first-ever World Cup goal against Portugal, and remains the team’s clearest individual route to the win they now need.
🇨🇩 Arthur Masuaku — DR Congo full-back Provided the cross for Wissa’s historic goal and continues to offer a consistent service line from wide positions.
🇺🇿 Abbosbek Fayzullaev — Uzbekistan’s standout performer Scored Uzbekistan’s first-ever World Cup goal against Colombia and has been one of the few bright points in a difficult debut campaign.
🇨🇩 Cedric Bakambu — DR Congo forward Adds experience and aerial presence to a Congo front line that will need to find more cutting edge than it showed against Colombia.
🇺🇿 Eldor Shomurodov — Uzbekistan forward The most experienced attacking option for Uzbekistan, tasked with giving the side a focal point after a goalless display against Portugal.
Recent Form (Group Stage)
🇨🇩 DR Congo
| Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 1–1 | D |
| Colombia | 0–1 | L |
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
| Opponent | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 1–3 | L |
| Portugal | 0–5 | L |
Our Call
DR Congo 2 – 0 Uzbekistan
DR Congo have shown more defensive discipline and attacking spark across two games than Uzbekistan’s results suggest, and the motivation gap between a side still chasing something and one already eliminated should tell in Atlanta. A composed, controlled win looks the most likely route to the result Congo need.
Betting Tips
The team with everything still to play for against one with nothing left to chase — DR Congo’s added motivation and marginally superior underlying performances make them the clear pick.
2. DR Congo to Keep a Clean Sheet
Congo held Portugal to a single goal and shut out Colombia’s attack for long periods; Uzbekistan have managed only one goal across two matches against stronger opposition.
3. Yoane Wissa to Score Anytime
DR Congo’s most proven finisher at this tournament and the most likely source of the goal his side needs.
4. Abbosbek Fayzullaev to Score Anytime (Value Play)
Uzbekistan’s most dangerous individual outlet and the only player to find the net for his country so far this tournament.
5. DR Congo Win & Under 3.5 Goals
A composed, professional Congo win without the game turning into a high-scoring affair fits both sides’ likely approach — Congo controlling proceedings, Uzbekistan trying to avoid another heavy defeat.
Build a Bet Suggestion: DR Congo to Win & Clean Sheet & Wissa to Score Anytime — a combo backing the side with the most to play for, anchored on the player most likely to deliver it.
Odds are illustrative and for entertainment purposes. Always check the latest prices with your bookmaker before placing a bet, and gamble responsibly.
Stats Comparison
| Stat | 🇨🇩 DR Congo | 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
| Points | 1 | 0 |
| Goals Scored | 1 | 1 |
| Goals Conceded | 2 | 8 |
| Goal Difference | -1 | -7 |
Group K Standings (Before Matchday 3)
| # | Team | P | Pts | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇨🇴 Colombia | 2 | 6 | +3 |
| 2 | 🇵🇹 Portugal | 2 | 4 | +5 |
| 3 | 🇨🇩 DR Congo | 2 | 1 | -1 |
| 4 | 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | 2 | 0 | -7 |
Predicted Line-ups (4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3)
Based on squads named and recent selections. Subject to late changes.
🇨🇩 DR Congo — Coach: Sébastien Desabre
GK: L. Mpasi
RB: A. Wan-Bissaka · CB: C. Mbemba · CB: A. Tuanzebe · LB: S. Kapuadi
CM: S. Moutoussamy · CM: E. Kayembe
RW: A. Masuaku · AM: N. Mukau · LW: F. Mayele
ST: Y. Wissa
🇺🇿 Uzbekistan — Coach: Fabio Cannavaro
GK: A. Nematov
RB: A. Khusanov · CB: A. Abdullaev · CB: R. Ashurmatov · LB: B. Karimov
CM: O. Xamrobekov · CM: O. Shukurov · CM: A. Ganiev
RW: A. Fayzullaev · ST: E. Shomurodov · LW: S. Esanov
Head to Head History
DR Congo and Uzbekistan have no recorded competitive meetings at World Cup or other major international tournament level — Saturday’s clash in Atlanta marks the first encounter between the two nations on any stage. With no head-to-head precedent to draw from, current form and group-stage performances carry the full analytical weight heading into this Group K finale.
