DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Betting Odds, Lineups, Prediction & Best Bets

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Match Summary

It all comes down to this in Atlanta. DR Congo and Uzbekistan close out Group K knowing the math is brutal, and only a winner keeps any hope of advancing alive.

DR Congo, back at a World Cup for the first time since 1974 (when they played as Zaire), sit third with one point after a 1-1 draw with Portugal and a 1-0 loss to Colombia.

Uzbekistan are making their tournament debut, and it has been a rough welcome. The Uzbeks are bottom of the group with zero points after back-to-back defeats to open the campaign.

These two nations have never met at senior international level, so there is no history to lean on — just a winner-take-all matchup with both squads staring at elimination.

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Form

DR Congo arrive on a four-match winless run across all competitions, but head coach Sébastien Desabre has built a stubborn, organized backline anchored by Chancel Mbemba. They held Portugal to a 1-1 draw before a narrow 1-0 loss to Colombia. Yoane Wissa, scorer in that Portugal draw, remains their only goal of the tournament.

Uzbekistan are reeling, losers of four straight under head coach Fabio Cannavaro. They have conceded eight goals while scoring once at this World Cup, falling 3-1 to Colombia and 5-0 to Portugal. Captain Eldor Shomurodov leads the line, and Abbosbek Fayzullaev netted that lone goal against Colombia.

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Lineups & Team News

Injuries & Suspensions

DR Congo: None reported

Uzbekistan: None reported

DR Congo

DR Congo carry plenty of top-level experience throughout their squad and head into this game with no injury concerns to manage.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan look set to be at full health, with no injury concerns to report. Rustam Ashurmatov was a doubt previously, but he is fit enough to feature here.

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Predicted Lineup

DR Congo

Formation: 3-5-2

Predicted Starting Lineup: L. Mpasi; S. Kapuadi, A. Tuanzebe, C. Mbemba; A. Masuaku, S. Moutoussamy, E. Kayembe, N. Sadiki, A. Wan-Bissaka; C. Bakambu, Y. Wissa

Uzbekistan

Formation: 3-4-2-1

Predicted Starting Lineup: A. Nematov; A. Abdullaev, A. Khusanov, R. Ashurmatov; K. Alijonov, O. Shukurov, A. Mozgovoy, B. Karimov; A. G'aniev, A. Fayzullaev; E. Shomurodov

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Key Stats & Match Facts

• This is the first-ever senior international meeting between DR Congo and Uzbekistan.
• DR Congo are back at a World Cup for the first time since 1974, when they competed as Zaire.
• Uzbekistan are making their World Cup debut at the 2026 tournament.
• Under Sébastien Desabre, DR Congo have not lost a single match by more than one goal during his entire tenure.
• Fabio Cannavaro is still chasing his first World Cup points since taking the Uzbekistan job in October 2025, following defeats to Colombia and Portugal.

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Talking Points

The big question is whether Desabre rolls the dice. He is reportedly weighing a shift away from his trusted back five toward a more aggressive 4-3-3, a move that makes sense when only a win will do — though the probable XI still leans on the three-man backline that has kept DR Congo competitive all tournament.

Their prep was no joke either, with an Ebola outbreak forcing the squad to relocate their camp to Belgium under bubble conditions just to clear travel to the United States.

On the other side, Cannavaro has asked his players for more courage on the ball, and captain Eldor Shomurodov — Uzbekistan's all-time leading scorer — is hunting his first goal of the tournament. With both teams essentially needing a victory to keep their slim hopes alive, expect a final group game with real edge.

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Predictions FAQs

When is the DR Congo vs Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 game?

The World Cup 2026 match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan takes place on June 27, 2026, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Where is DR Congo vs Uzbekistan being played?

The match is being played at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta.

Where can I watch DR Congo vs Uzbekistan?

You can watch the DR Congo vs Uzbekistan match in the U.S. on FOX and Telemundo, with streaming available via Peacock.

What is the DR Congo vs Uzbekistan prediction?

This World Cup 2026 clash is expected to be highly competitive, as both DR Congo and Uzbekistan look to secure a crucial victory in the group stage. DR Congo's defensive organization and tournament experience give them a slight edge in a winner-take-all matchup.

Disclaimer

Important information: This article may contain links to betting offers or promotions for DR Congo vs Uzbekistan that were available at the time of publication. These offers may have since expired, changed, or no longer be available.

Offers are selected from operators that our soccer experts work with regularly and have first-hand experience of. If you open an account via one of these links, we may earn commission. This helps support our coverage and allows us to continue producing expert analysis and soccer content across World Cup 2026.

Please gamble responsibly. 21+. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.