DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Prediction: World Cup 2026 Preview & Best Bets | OneFootball

Two teams with everything still to play for, one match that means more than just three points — this is where World Cup dreams either live or die for DR Congo and Uzbekistan…

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | Group K, Matchday 17 | 27 June 2026 | 19:30 local (23:30 BST) | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Group K standings heading into the final round of fixtures:

TV and streaming for UK viewers: BBC / iPlayer. Kick-off is at 23:30 BST.

POPULAR

Best World Cup 2026 Welcome Bonus

10 EXCEPTIONAL

Betfred

Betfred

Bet and Get New Bettor Bonus of £50 in Free Bets

BET NOW

What’s at Stake

Both sides arrive at Mercedes-Benz Stadium with their World Cup futures hanging by a thread. DR Congo sit third in Group K with one point from two games, meaning only a win will keep alive any mathematical hope of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams. Uzbekistan are bottom with zero points and a goal difference of -7, so three points here is the bare minimum they need to avoid finishing the tournament without a single point. Victory for either side would be their first-ever World Cup win, with DR Congo chasing a landmark in just their second finals appearance and Uzbekistan hunting history on their tournament debut. The stakes could not be higher for two sides who have waited this long to reach the biggest stage.

Verdict

DR Congo look the more composed and defensively organised side at this tournament, and their point against Portugal in the opening fixture shows genuine quality. Back DR Congo to win at 5/6 with leading operators as the value call in what is effectively a cup final for both teams.

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Match Preview

This fixture carries the weight of history for both nations. DR Congo are making only their second World Cup appearance, returning to the finals for the first time since 1974 when, as Zaire, they suffered a 9-0 defeat to Yugoslavia in what remains one of the heaviest losses in tournament history. Over fifty years on, coach Sébastien Desabre has built a side that looks nothing like that vintage. A point earned against Portugal and a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia speaks to a team that competes and does not simply make up the numbers.

Uzbekistan’s situation is more urgent and arguably more remarkable. This is their first World Cup appearance, and Central Asia is watching every touch. Fabio Cannavaro’s side have been outclassed in their opening two fixtures, conceding eight goals across defeats to Colombia and Portugal. But their squad contains real talent, particularly in midfield and attack, and a pride-fuelled performance in a dead-rubber scenario is entirely plausible. Do not expect them to simply roll over.

The match shapes up as a cautious, attritional contest between two sides who cannot afford to lose. DR Congo will likely look to control the tempo and keep things tight at the back, knowing that a win or even a draw with a favourable swing in goal difference may prove significant. Uzbekistan need goals, which means they may be forced to open up in a way that suits DR Congo’s counter-attacking strengths. The Congolese front line, featuring Yoane Wissa and Cédric Bakambu, carries enough quality to punish any defensive gaps.

Team Form

DR Congo – Last 5 Results

– Colombia (A): Lost 0-1 (FIFA World Cup) – Portugal (A): Drew 1-1 (FIFA World Cup) – Chile (N): Lost 1-2 (Friendly) – Denmark (N): Drew 0-0 (Friendly) – Jamaica (N): Won 1-0 (FIFA World Cup Qualifying)

DR Congo’s form going into this tournament showed a solid, if unspectacular, preparation. The draw with Portugal was arguably the standout result, with Yoane Wissa netting and the side holding their shape against one of Europe’s elite. Their record in World Cup qualifying was excellent, winning seven of nine matches. The losses in warm-up friendlies against Chile and a tight display against Denmark suggest they can be pressed into errors, but the overall picture is of a team that grinds results and does not concede cheaply.

Uzbekistan – Last 5 Results

– Portugal (A): Lost 0-5 (FIFA World Cup) – Colombia (H): Lost 1-3 (FIFA World Cup) – Netherlands (N): Lost 1-2 (Friendly) – Canada (A): Lost 0-2 (Friendly) – Venezuela (H): Drew 0-0 (FIFA Series)

Uzbekistan’s run of form leading into this match makes for difficult reading. Four consecutive defeats, including two heavy losses at the World Cup itself, points to a side that has found the step up in quality severe. Their qualifying record was tidy enough, going unbeaten across four matches, but the opposition at this tournament has been on another level entirely. The 5-0 hammering by Portugal in particular raises questions about their defensive structure that will not be easy to answer against DR Congo’s pacy attack.

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Head to Head

There is no previous meeting between DR Congo and Uzbekistan on record. These two nations have never faced each other in competitive or friendly international football, so Saturday’s encounter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium represents the very first chapter in what is a completely blank head-to-head history. With no past data to lean on, form and tactical analysis become the primary guide for this DR Congo vs Uzbekistan prediction.

Team News

DR Congo head into this match having shown they can hold their own against top-quality opposition. Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United, who scored in the draw with Portugal, leads the attacking line and will be central to their hopes of securing a historic first World Cup win. The squad features a blend of European-based talent, with Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis), Meschak Elia, and Gaël Kakuta providing options across the front line. Midfield cover comes from experienced operators including Samuel Moutoussamy and Edo Kayembe, while the defence is anchored by the vastly experienced Chancel Mbemba of Lille, who brings 109 caps to this must-win occasion.

Uzbekistan go into this game without the luxury of a safety net. Eldor Shomurodov of Istanbul Basaksehir leads the attack with 92 international caps and 44 goals to his name, and will be desperate to make his mark on Uzbekistan’s debut World Cup before the curtain falls. Abbosbek Fayzullaev, who scored the side’s only goal of the tournament so far, offers dynamism from midfield. Abdukodir Khusanov of Manchester City brings Premier League experience to the back line. Defensively, however, there are real concerns after conceding eight goals in two games, and Cannavaro will need a significant tactical response to keep DR Congo at bay.

No specific injury absences or suspensions have been reported for either side ahead of this fixture. Both squads are understood to be available for selection in full.

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Lineups

DR Congo (4-3-3): Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba (c), Tuanzebe, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Pickel, Kayembe; Elia, Bakambu, Wissa

Uzbekistan (4-2-3-1): Nematov; Ashurmatov, Khusanov, Nasrullaev, Sayfiev; Hamrobekov, Urunov; Fayzullaev, Masharipov, Shukurov; Shomurodov (c)

Predicted lineups – squads to be confirmed.

Key Tactical Matchup

The duel to watch in Atlanta is Abbosbek Fayzullaev against DR Congo’s central midfield pairing of Samuel Moutoussamy and Charles Pickel. Fayzullaev is Uzbekistan’s most dangerous ball-carrier and the only member of their squad to have scored at this World Cup, and he will look to find pockets of space between the lines to hurt a Congolese midfield that has been asked to do a lot of running in the opening two matches. Moutoussamy brings 58 international caps and a strong defensive instinct, and Pickel has the physicality to track Fayzullaev’s late runs. If DR Congo win that midfield battle, Uzbekistan’s route to goal becomes very narrow indeed.

Best Bets

POPULAR

Best World Cup 2026 Welcome Bonus

10 EXCEPTIONAL

Betfred

Betfred

Bet and Get New Bettor Bonus of £50 in Free Bets

BET NOW

9.9 EXCEPTIONAL

Highbet

Highbet

Bet £10 and Get a £20 Free bet

BET NOW

9.8 EXCEPTIONAL

Parimatch

Parimatch

Sports Welcome Offer Bet and Get for a £20 Free Bet

BET NOW

Main Pick: DR Congo to Win @ 5/6

DR Congo have shown far more cohesion and resilience at this tournament than Uzbekistan. A draw against Portugal and a narrow defeat to Colombia demonstrates a side that competes at this level. Uzbekistan have conceded eight goals in two games and look tactically exposed against pace and directness. At 5/6, backing DR Congo to claim their first World Cup win is the standout call in this DR Congo vs Uzbekistan best bets selection.

Goals Market: Under 2.5 Goals @ 1/1

Both sides have strong incentives to be cautious. DR Congo need a win but will not want to overextend and gift Uzbekistan the counters. Uzbekistan need goals but have looked vulnerable to conceding. The under 2.5 line at evens looks fair value given neither side has been free-scoring at this World Cup, with DR Congo managing just one goal across their opening two fixtures and Uzbekistan netting just the once themselves.

Scorer Market: Yoane Wissa Anytime Scorer

Wissa already has one World Cup goal to his name this tournament, making him DR Congo’s standout attacking threat. His pace and movement for Newcastle United have translated well to the international stage, and with Uzbekistan’s defence having looked shaky throughout the group stage, he carries genuine threat in behind. He is the pick for anytime scorer in this fixture at the best available price with leading operators.

Bet Builder: DR Congo Win and Under 2.5 Goals

Combining DR Congo to win with under 2.5 goals in the game reflects the most likely match script: a tight, controlled contest where the Congolese grind out the result without the game ever becoming an open shoot-out. Both halves of this DR Congo vs Uzbekistan accumulator-friendly combination are individually supported by the evidence, and the combined price available with leading operators represents fair value on a match that should favour the more organised side.

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Odds

Here is a snapshot of the best available prices across the key markets for this fixture:

All prices are the best available across leading operators at the time of writing and are subject to change. Shop around for the best DR Congo vs Uzbekistan betting odds before kick-off.

How to Watch and How to Bet

How to Watch

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan is live on BBC and BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom, with kick-off at 23:30 BST on 27 June 2026. The match is played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA. Coverage will also be available in other markets including ITV, with full global broadcast details listed by FIFA ahead of the match.

How to Bet

If you want to get on ahead of kick-off, here is a straightforward guide to placing your bets on this fixture:

Responsible Gambling

Betting should always be kept fun and within your means. Set a budget before you bet, never chase losses, and take regular breaks. If you feel your gambling is becoming a problem, free and confidential support is available through BeGambleAware. You can also contact the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

[morestories category=8]