Congo DR vs Uzbekistan Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
Congo DR have a brilliant opportunity to reach the knockout stages of FIFA World Cup 2026 as they now take on debutants Uzbekistan in their final Group K clash.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
Congo DR preview: Difficult to play against
As they proved in qualification with CAF play-off victories against Nigeria and Cameroon before a narrow 1-0 defeat of Jamaica in the FIFA Inter-Confederation Play-Offs, Congo DR have remained extremely awkward opposition and difficult to break down at FIFA World Cup 2026.
Despite having just 25% of the possession against Portugal, a Yoane Wissa equaliser late on in the first half got Congo DR a point against the Portuguese before they were eventually beaten 1-0 by Colombia with a Daniel Munoz goal mid-way through the second half in Guadalajara. It was a match in which the Congolese again ceded possession as they had just 34% of the ball.
Uzbekistan preview: Weak at the back
FIFA World Cup 2006 and 2006 Ballon d'Or winner Fabio Cannavaro took charge of Uzbekistan for their first ever FIFA World Cup and despite the influence of a legendary centre-back, a back five setup and Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov, Uzbekistan have struggled defensively.
In their opening game of the tournament, the Uzbeks succumbed to a 3-1 loss in Mexico City against the Colombians before then being blown away by the Portuguese in Houston, losing by five goals to nil in a game whereby the scoreline perhaps even flattered them.
Congo DR team news: No need to change
Congo DR have kept with a back three system in their opening couple of games. They don't have any need to change the side with no fresh injury concerns or suspension issues.
However, against weaker opposition and with a win required, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Congo DR potentially move to a 4-4-2 or a 4-1-2-1-2 system against the Uzbeks.
Predicted XI (4-1-2-1-2): Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Masuaku; Moutoussamy; Sadiki, Mukau; E. Kayembe; Wissa, Bakambu
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Uzbekistan team news: Finding a balance
Uzbekistan made a couple of changes for their game against Portugal with goalkeeper Abduvohid Nematov, who then struggled, coming in for Utkir Yusupov.
Akmal Mozgovoy and Oston Urunov also dropped out of the eleven but the former is expected to return as the Uzbeks attempt to try and find more of a balance between their defence and attack, having been able to threaten on the counter-attack, perhaps at the expense of defensive solidity.
Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Nematov; Khusanov, Abdullaev, Ashurmatov; Karimov, Shukurov, Mozgovoy, Narsullaev; Ganiev, Fayzullaev; Shomurodov
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Congo DR's top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Aaron Wan-Bissaka ($4.3m) – Defender
Axel Tuanzebe ($4.0m) – Defender
Yoane Wissa ($6.2m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Yoane Wissa
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Yoane Wissa, Cedric Bakambu
Free kicks: Yoane Wissa
Corners: Arthur Masuaku
Uzbekistan’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Abdukodir Khusanov ($4.3m) – Defender
Sherzod Nasrullaev ($3.7m) – Defender
Eldor Shomurodov ($6.5m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Eldor Shomurodov
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Eldor Shomurodov
Free kicks: Abbosbek Fayzullaev
Corners: Abbosbek Fayzullaev
Key stats
- This is the first meeting between the two countries. It is also Congo DR’s first World Cup match against AFC opposition, and Uzbekistan’s first against a team from Africa in the competition.
- Both sides are chasing their first World Cup victory. Congo DR have taken just one point from their five matches to date (D1 L4), while Uzbekistan have opened their debut campaign with back‑to‑back defeats.
Click here for more stats & facts about this fixture!
Congo DR vs Uzbekistan prediction
Congo DR have made themselves extremely difficult to beat and that is expected to continue here, even if they do try and play slightly more on the front foot in order to get their victory.
Uzbekistan head into this one on the back of games where they have looked to be a threat when in transition but have been far too open going the other way, while also lacking quality on the ball to sustain many attacks or control the ball when in defence.
Congo DR may not possess the patterns of play to switch it on from an attacking perspective but the quality that they have should still be enough to eventually get through a poor Uzbek side.
Congo DR vs Uzbekistan betting tip: Congo DR to win & under 3.5 goals
