No previous meetings between these teams.
-
1
Abbosbek Fayzullaev1 - 2
Yoane Wissa1
- 1Cédric Bakambu3
- 2Yoane Wissa3
- 3Samuel Moutoussamy3
- 4Abbosbek Fayzullaev2
- 5Dostonbek Khamdamov2
- 6Eldor Shomurodov2
- 7Bekhruz Karimov2
- 8Edo Kayembe2
- 9Otabek Shukurov2
- 10Nathanaël Mbuku1
- 1Bekhruz Karimov5
- 2Joris Kayembe4
- 3Aaron Wan-Bissaka4
- 4Abbosbek Fayzullaev3
- 5Arthur Masuaku2
- 6Rustam Ashurmatov2
- 7Dostonbek Khamdamov2
- 8Aziz G'aniev2
- 9Abdulla Abdullaev2
- 10Samuel Moutoussamy2
- 1Arthur Masuaku1
- 1Eldor Shomurodov4
- 2Arthur Masuaku3
- 3Bekhruz Karimov2
- 4Steve Kapuadi2
- 5Khojiakbar Alijonov1
- 6Abbosbek Fayzullaev1
- 7Nathanaël Mbuku1
- 8Simon Banza1
- 9Joris Kayembe1
- 10Azizbek Amonov1
- 1Otabek Shukurov80
- 2Rustam Ashurmatov59
- 3Abdulla Abdullaev59
- 4Chancel Mbemba50
- 5Abdukodir Khusanov49
- 6Steve Kapuadi47
- 7Samuel Moutoussamy43
- 8Akmal Mozgovoy40
- 9Bekhruz Karimov36
- 10Axel Tuanzebe35
- 1Bekhruz Karimov6
- 2Cédric Bakambu2
- 3Edo Kayembe2
- 4Khojiakbar Alijonov1
- 5Arthur Masuaku1
- 6Oston Urunov1
- 7Aziz G'aniev1
- 8Akmal Mozgovoy1
- 9Ngal'ayel Mukau1
- 10Eldor Shomurodov1
- 1Abdukodir Khusanov4
- 2Aaron Wan-Bissaka4
- 3Rustam Ashurmatov3
- 4Ngal'ayel Mukau3
- 5Bekhruz Karimov3
- 6Abdulla Abdullaev3
- 7Khojiakbar Alijonov2
- 8Dostonbek Khamdamov2
- 9Abbosbek Fayzullaev1
- 10Joris Kayembe1
DR Congo face a must-win finale when they take on already-eliminated Uzbekistan in Group K at the 2026 World Cup on Sunday. Kick-off is scheduled for 12.30am (UK time) on Sunday 28th June at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
DR Congo sit third in Group K on one point after a battling 1-1 draw with Portugal and a narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia. Only a win keeps their slim qualification hopes alive. Uzbekistan are already eliminated on their World Cup debut, beaten by both Colombia and Portugal, and play only for pride in Atlanta.
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan predictions & betting tips
| Our Prediction | Odds & Bookmaker | Confidence | Why We’re Backing It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yoane Wissa to score anytime | 13/8 @ William Hill (38.1%) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Wissa leads all DR Congo players at this tournament for pressures applied, pressures in the final third and touches in the opposition box. The Newcastle forward scored DR Congo’s equaliser against Portugal and carries the form, confidence and work rate to add to his tally in Atlanta. Uzbekistan have conceded eight goals at this tournament and carry a minus-seven goal difference heading into the final matchday. DR Congo must attack and Wissa will be central to everything Desabre builds going forward. At the available price, he is the standout anytime scorer selection in Group K’s finale. |
| DR Congo to win and under 3.5 goals | 6/4 @ Sky Bet (40%) | ⭐⭐ | DR Congo have conceded just twice across two group games, underlining the defensive discipline Desabre has instilled. Uzbekistan have kept just one clean sheet in their last eight matches and have lost four consecutive matches, conceding 12 goals in the process. DR Congo carry the greater motivation and superior squad quality — a controlled home win with goals at a manageable level reflects the likely shape of Sunday’s encounter. |
Odds correct at time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
How both teams head into DR Congo vs Uzbekistan
DR Congo
DR Congo reached their first World Cup since 1974 – when they competed as Zaire – after coming through the intercontinental play-off.. Their return to the global stage has been competitive without delivering the result the group demands. A 1-1 draw with Portugal on matchday one was one of the genuine results of the opening round. A narrow 1-0 defeat to Colombia followed – a game where the Leopards showed their tactical discipline but ultimately lacked the cutting edge to take anything from the match.
Across two matchdays, DR Congo averaged just 29.9% possession – the fourth-lowest of any side at the 2026 World Cup. That low-block defensive approach has served them well against elite opposition but has exhausted a squad Desabre has rotated minimally. DR Congo have used just 17 players across two group games – one of the lowest rotation figures in the tournament. Fresh legs and a more attacking approach are essential in Atlanta.
DR Congo have scored in four of their last six games and carry genuine attacking quality in the partnership of Wissa and Cédric Bakambu. The pair have troubled every defence they have faced in Group K. Against a Uzbekistan backline that has been carved open all tournament, Sunday finally offers Desabre’s side the platform to demonstrate their full attacking potential.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan have already conceded eight goals at this tournament – the last Asian nation to concede more in the group stage of a single edition were North Korea in 2010, who shipped 12. Two heavy defeats to Colombia and Portugal have left Fabio Cannavaro’s side eliminated and searching for a performance that reflects their actual capability rather than the scorelines they have suffered.
Across two matchdays, Uzbekistan managed just 11 touches in the opposition box – the second-lowest of any side at this tournament. The gap between their individual quality and collective output has been stark. Abbosbek Fayzullaev remains the White Wolves’ only goalscorer at a World Cup – his first-half equaliser against Colombia was their sole moment of real attacking intent across 180 minutes.
Eighteen-year-old Bekhruz Karimov has started both World Cup games and could join an elite club – prior to this tournament, the only players aged 18 or under to start all three group matches at a single edition were Manuel Rosas in 1930, Norman Whiteside in 1982 and Gavi in 2022. That teenage talent offers a genuine glimpse of what Uzbekistan could become – but Sunday’s task is simply to sign off from their debut campaign with dignity.
DR Congo team news
Desabre may alter his shape for Atlanta, potentially switching from a back five to a back four to commit more bodies forward in search of the win DR Congo need. That change could see Steve Kapuadi drop out, with Chancel Mbemba and Axel Tuanzebe continuing at centre-back and Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Arthur Masuaku operating at full-back.
Wissa leads the attacking line alongside Cedric Bakambu. Bakambu’s 21 international goals make him the most experienced finisher in the Leopards squad and he will carry the goalscoring burden alongside Wissa in Atlanta. Ngal’ayel Mukau and Samuel Moutoussamy are expected in midfield, with Gaël Kakuta or Théo Bongonda providing wide options.
Desabre has the freedom to rotate a squad that has been stretched across two physically demanding group games. Fresher legs in midfield could be the key factor in unlocking a Uzbekistan defence that carries no confidence into the final matchday.
Uzbekistan team news
Cannavaro used 22 players across the first two group games – the joint-most of any team at this tournament. Further rotation is expected in Atlanta with elimination confirmed. Cannavaro will use Sunday as an opportunity to give fringe players World Cup experience and assess his options for future qualifying campaigns.
Abdukodir Khusanov was consoled by former Manchester City teammate Bernardo Silva after the 5-0 defeat to Portugal. The 22-year-old centre-back carries a yellow card from the Colombia game and must tread carefully in Atlanta to avoid a suspension that – while irrelevant to this campaign – carries administrative significance.
Eldor Shomurodov captains the side and leads the attack, yet has still not scored at this World Cup despite his 44 international goals. Fayzullaev operates from wide areas and carries Uzbekistan’s primary creative threat. Utkir Yusupov continues in goal.
Head-to-Head
DR Congo and Uzbekistan have never previously met at senior international level. Sunday’s Group K finale in Atlanta is the first encounter between the two nations on any competitive stage. With no historical reference point, current form and group-stage context tell the only relevant story – DR Congo need the points and Uzbekistan have nothing left to play for.
Can DR Congo continue their World Cup journey?
DR Congo enter Sunday’s finale knowing only a win will do. A victory keeps their slim hopes alive of advancing as one of the eight best third-placed sides – and an outside chance of leapfrogging Portugal into second if results elsewhere go their way. Uzbekistan sign off from their debut World Cup campaign with nothing to play for beyond personal pride.
We’re backing Yoane Wissa to cap a decent tournament in Atlanta. 13/8 with William Hill for Wissa to score anytime reflects his relentless work rate, his finishing quality and Uzbekistan’s inability to contain direct forwards at this World Cup.
For a combined play, DR Congo to win and under 3.5 goals at 6/4 at Sky Bet reflects Desabre’s defensive organisation and the controlled nature of a DR Congo side that must win without exposing themselves on the counter.
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