DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Picks, Predictions & Betting Odds: World Cup 2026 Preview
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan closes Group K in Atlanta, with the Congolese needing a win to chase a best third-place spot. Our pick leans Congo.
Ginevra Cattaneo
Updated on 24 June 2026
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | Group K, Matchday 17 | Saturday, June 27, 2026 | Kickoff: 7:30 PM ET | Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | TV: Fox Sports
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | +3 | 6 |
| Portugal | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 1 | +5 | 4 |
| DR Congo | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8 | -7 | 0 |
Why This Game Matters
Both sides enter Matchday 17 having already been effectively eliminated from the knockout round conversation in Group K, but the mathematics of the expanded 48-team World Cup format mean third place still carries a pulse. DR Congo sit on one point and need a win to have any realistic hope of progressing as one of the best third-placed sides; Uzbekistan sit bottom with no points, a goal difference of -7, and the tournament’s heaviest scoreline against them after a 5-0 loss to Portugal. Pride, first points, and a nation’s World Cup legacy are all at stake in Atlanta.
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Our Pick
DR Congo to win is the headline call, available at -115 with BetOnline, with the Congolese showing considerably more resilience across two tough group matches and carrying a clear motivational edge over a debutant side that has been overrun by both Colombia and Portugal. At essentially a pick’em price on paper, the gap in group-stage evidence makes DR Congo a value play in a game they genuinely need to win.
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan: Preview, Picks & Betting Odds
Fifty-two years after their 1974 debut as Zaire, DR Congo have returned to the World Cup stage and have already written history. Yoane Wissa‘s goal against Portugal in Houston was the first World Cup goal in the country’s history, and the 1-1 draw that followed was their first-ever World Cup point. Now, heading into their third and final group game, manager Sebastien Desabre‘s side know that only a win keeps any lingering hope of third-place progression alive.
Uzbekistan’s World Cup debut has been brutally educational. A 3-1 defeat to Colombia and then a 5-0 hammering from Portugal leave them bottom of Group K with a goal difference of -7. Manager Fabio Cannavaro, appointed in October 2025, has had little time to implement a system capable of competing at this level, and the scale of those two defeats tells a real story about the gap between Asian qualifying opposition and the elite of Europe and South America.
On current evidence, this is DR Congo’s game to lose. The Congolese were competitive against both Portugal and Colombia, and while one point from two matches looks modest, the underlying performances have been far more encouraging than Uzbekistan’s numbers suggest they have managed. A motivated DR Congo side with creative talent across their squad should be capable of claiming three points here, even if the narrative of two World Cup underdogs sharing a stage adds genuine emotion to the occasion.
Recent Form & Trends
DR Congo
- Portugal (A): Drew 1-1 – FIFA World Cup
- Colombia (A): Lost 0-1 – FIFA World Cup
- Chile (N): Lost 1-2 – Friendly
- Denmark (N): Drew 0-0 – Friendly
- Jamaica (N): Won 1-0 – World Cup Qualifying
DR Congo’s competitive record coming into this tournament was built on genuine substance. Holding Portugal to a draw and keeping Colombia to a single goal demonstrates a disciplined, organized defensive structure. The 1-1 draw with Portugal, in particular, showed character, with Wissa’s goal earning a historically significant point against a side that has since thrashed Uzbekistan 5-0.
Uzbekistan
- 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 have not won a match since beating Qatar 3-0 in qualifying, and their last five results include four defeats. The two World Cup losses have exposed a significant step up in class from AFC opposition. Conceding eight goals across two group games paints a worrying picture heading into what is effectively a dead rubber with pride and potential third-place points on the line.
Injuries, Suspensions & Roster News
DR Congo bring a squad packed with European experience. Captain Chancel Mbemba, the cornerstone of their defensive structure, has 109 caps and brings leadership the squad clearly leans on. Up front, Wissa of Newcastle United has already delivered the historic moment of the tournament for his nation, while Cedric Bakambu, with 70 caps and 21 international goals, adds a veteran cutting edge in attack.
The midfield depth is a genuine asset for Desabre. Players such as Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, and the versatile Theo Bongonda give the coach options to press or sit, depending on the tactical read. Noah Sadiki and Ngal’ayel Mukau, both 21, suggest a squad with legs for the future, though for now experience will likely anchor the starting XI.
For Uzbekistan, the standout name is captain Eldor Shomurodov, the all-time leading scorer with 44 international goals. Despite the team’s difficult run, Shomurodov remains the focal point of their attacking play and will carry the responsibility of lifting a nation that has never played World Cup football before. Abbosbek Fayzullaev scored Uzbekistan’s first-ever World Cup goal against Colombia and will again be expected to carry creative threat from midfield. No specific injury concerns have been reported for either side ahead of this fixture.
Expected Lineups
DR Congo (4-3-3): Lionel Mpasi; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba (c), Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku; Samuel Moutoussamy, Charles Pickel, Edo Kayembe; Meschak Elia, Yoane Wissa, Cedric Bakambu.
Uzbekistan (4-2-3-1): Utkir Yusupov; Farrukh Sayfiev, Rustam Ashurmatov, Abdukodir Khusanov, Khojiakbar Alijonov; Odiljon Hamrobekov, Otabek Shukurov; Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Jaloliddin Masharipov, Oston Urunov; Eldor Shomurodov (c).
Predicted XI – squads to be confirmed.
Key Matchup to Watch
The duel between Uzbekistan’s creative hub Abbosbek Fayzullaev and DR Congo’s midfield screening unit will define whether Cannavaro’s side can manufacture any kind of attacking threat. Fayzullaev, who scored Uzbekistan’s first-ever World Cup goal against Colombia and has four goals in recent international play, is the most technically capable player in the Uzbek setup and will look to operate in the pockets between DR Congo’s defensive and midfield lines. If Moutoussamy and Pickel can neutralize his influence, Uzbekistan are left relying almost entirely on Shomurodov’s individual quality. DR Congo’s ability to win that midfield contest is the single most important factor in this game.
Best Bets & Expert Picks
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Main Pick: DR Congo to Win @ -115 (BetOnline)
DR Congo have shown far more competitive substance across two genuinely tough group games than the standings suggest. They drew with Portugal and were narrowly beaten by Colombia, with Wissa scoring the first World Cup goal in the nation’s history. Against a debutant Uzbekistan side that has conceded eight goals in two matches, the Congolese are well-placed to claim their first World Cup win and potentially compete for a best third-place berth.
Goals Market: Over 2.5 Goals @ +102 (BetOnline)
Uzbekistan have conceded eight goals in two World Cup matches and shown precious little defensive stability. DR Congo will come forward in numbers knowing a win is essential, and Uzbekistan have given up goals in every match they have played during this tournament and in their pre-tournament friendlies. The over looks well-priced at plus-money given the backdrop.
Scorer Market: Yoane Wissa Anytime Scorer
Wissa has already delivered the historical moment of the tournament for DR Congo, scoring their first-ever World Cup goal. He has two goals in recent international play and operates as the primary focal point of DR Congo’s forward line. Against a Uzbekistan defense that has been exposed repeatedly at this tournament, Wissa is the logical bet to find the net again in Atlanta.
Score Prediction: DR Congo 2-0 Uzbekistan
The gap in form, confidence, and quality at the back points to a comfortable DR Congo win. Uzbekistan’s -7 goal difference is the clearest evidence available that they have been unable to cope with top-level attacking play. DR Congo win to nil is the considered read here.
Betting Odds & Lines
Here is a comparison of the current DR Congo vs Uzbekistan betting odds across the three approved operators for this fixture.
| Outcome | BetOnline | Lucky Rebel | BetNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| DR Congo Win | -115 | -119 | -120 |
| Draw | +285 | +280 | +310 |
| Uzbekistan Win | +295 | +295 | +300 |
| Total Goals | BetOnline | Lucky Rebel | BetNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 2.5 | +102 | -115 | -115 |
| Under 2.5 | -132 | -101 | -101 |
How to Watch & Where to Bet
How to Watch
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan kicks off at 7:30 PM ET on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The match is broadcast in the United States on Fox Sports. International viewers can catch the action on ITV and BBC in the UK, TF1 and beIN Sports in France, ARD, ZDF, and MagentaTV in Germany, and Globo and SporTV in Brazil, among other regional broadcasters.
How to Bet
To place your bets on DR Congo vs Uzbekistan at the best available prices, follow these steps:
- Choose one of the approved operators: BetOnline, Lucky Rebel, or BetNow.
- Navigate to the operator’s official website and create an account if you do not already have one.
- Complete the identity verification process as required by the operator.
- Make a deposit using your preferred payment method, including crypto options at BetNow.
- Navigate to the soccer or football section and locate the 2026 World Cup markets.
- Find Group K, Matchday 17, and select DR Congo vs Uzbekistan.
- Select your preferred market, confirm the odds displayed match what you intend to accept, and enter your stake.
- Confirm the bet slip and keep a record of your wager for reference.
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Ginevra Cattaneo
Ginevra Cattaneo grew up in Bologna with a football shirt on her back and a match playing somewhere in the background at all times. From backyard arguments about whether Maldini or Baresi was the greatest ever to staying up late watching Champions League nights, the game has always been at the centre of her life. She brings that same passion and familiarity to everything she writes, covering Serie A, Italian football culture, and the rapidly growing world of women's football in Italy.
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