DR Congo vs Uzbekistan: World Cup 2026 Predictions, Betting Tips & Odds (28.06.2026)

This is a genuinely competitive match by World Cup standards, with prices varying noticeably between operators: DR Congo are around 5/6 favourites, the draw is on offer at roughly 11/4, and Uzbekistan can be backed at about 5/2. Our expert view is that the goals market offers the better angle, with the under looking the sharper side of the line.

DR Congo Recent Form

Sebastien Desabre’s side currently sit third in Group K on one point, having earned a creditable 1–1 draw with Portugal – Yoane Wissa heading home DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup finals goal – before going down 0–1 to Colombia in a game that was closer than the scoreline suggested. This is DR Congo’s first World Cup appearance since 1974, when they competed as Zaire, and simply being in genuine contention for the knockout rounds on the final matchday already represents a landmark campaign. Desabre has set his side up in a compact 5–3–2 through the tournament so far, built on a defence stacked with Premier League experience, and a win here would give DR Congo a real chance of advancing as one of the eight best third-placed teams in the expanded format.

DR Congo Key Players

Uzbekistan Recent Form

Fabio Cannavaro’s side made history simply by reaching their first-ever World Cup, but the step up has been brutal: a 1–3 defeat to Colombia was followed by a 0–5 thrashing at the hands of Portugal, leaving them bottom of Group K with a goal difference of –7 and nothing to show for two games beyond Abbosbek Fayzullaev’s historic opener against Colombia. Cannavaro, in his first major tournament in charge, will know that anything less than a win here ends Uzbekistan’s debut campaign on a winless note, and his side will need to find a defensive solidity that has been entirely absent against superior opposition so far. There are mitigating factors, however: Uzbekistan went unbeaten through their AFC qualifying campaign, and DR Congo represent a more even contest than the two European and South American sides they have faced up to now.

Uzbekistan Key Players

Head-to-Head Record

There is no previous meeting between these two nations to draw on; this is the first time DR Congo and Uzbekistan have played each other at any level. With no history to lean on, this preview is built entirely on current tournament form and the very different pressures each side carries into Atlanta.

Last 5 Matches

DR Congo’s sequence, most recent first: the defeat to Colombia, the draw with Portugal, a play-off final win over Jamaica that booked their World Cup place, a win over Bermuda in the previous play-off round, and a draw with Nigeria settled on penalties in the African qualifying play-offs. Uzbekistan’s reads: the heavy defeat to Portugal, the defeat to Colombia, a defeat to co-hosts Canada in a pre-tournament friendly, a goalless draw with Venezuela, and a 2–0 win over Egypt.

Tactical Breakdown

This match is shaping up as a contest of structure rather than free-flowing football. DR Congo’s back five, featuring Premier League regulars in Wan-Bissaka and Mbemba, has shown it can frustrate stronger sides than Uzbekistan, and Desabre’s side averaged a modest 1.23 expected goals per 90 minutes through qualifying, suggesting patience rather than firepower will define their approach. Uzbekistan, for their part, have shown defensive organisation can desert them under sustained pressure, but DR Congo do not possess the same individual quality that tore through their back line against Portugal and Colombia. Expect both managers to prioritise not losing over chasing a result that may not be strictly necessary if other results elsewhere go their way, with set-pieces and moments of transition likely to decide the outcome.

Predicted Line-ups

Desabre is expected to stick with the 5–3–2 shape that has served DR Congo so far, with Mpasi behind a back line built around Mbemba and Wan-Bissaka, and Wissa and Bakambu paired up top to give the side a focal point on the counter. For Uzbekistan, Cannavaro is likely to ring changes after two heavy defeats, but the spine of Khusanov in defence and the Shomurodov-Fayzullaev partnership further forward should remain, with Uzbekistan needing a more solid platform behind the ball than they have shown so far at this tournament.

Where to Watch: UK TV & Streaming

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan is being shown live in the UK across BBC and ITV, with streaming available via BBC iPlayer and ITVX. Given the early kick-off time in the UK, in the small hours of Sunday morning, this one is more likely to be one for catch-up than a live watch for most viewers.

Odds Comparison & Betting Analysis

Worth flagging up front: this is one of the few fixtures on the final matchday where prices genuinely differ between operators, with some pricing DR Congo as clear favourites and others making them only a marginal pick over Uzbekistan, a reflection of how unpredictable this particular contest is. Our reading leans on the underlying profile of both sides rather than any single price: DR Congo’s qualifying campaign was built on defensive solidity rather than goals, and Uzbekistan’s heavy concessions have come against far better attacking sides than this one. Under 2.5 goals looks the more coherent angle than chasing the over. As ever, shop around with a UK-licensed bookmaker before placing anything, since this is a market where the prices move.