DR Congo vs Uzbekistan
Colombia and Portugal have already booked the top two spots in Group K, so this last-night meeting in Atlanta carries no automatic ticket to the Round of 32. DR Congo cling to a slim best-third-placed hope; Uzbekistan, World Cup debutants, are out and playing for a first-ever finals win. Our prediction, verified form, best bets and goalscorer tips for the Mercedes-Benz Stadium tie.
Updated 25 June 2026 · Ryan Edwards · World Cup 2026 Hub
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DR Congo vs Uzbekistan: The Group K Dead Rubber
Group K resolved itself early at the top. Colombia sit on six points after a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan and a 1-0 win over DR Congo, and they have already qualified. Portugal are on four points — a 1-1 draw with DR Congo, then a 5-0 demolition of Uzbekistan — and are also through to the Round of 32. That leaves DR Congo and Uzbekistan to play out a tie with no place in the top two on the line.
DR Congo arrive on a single point and a goal difference of −1. They held Portugal in their opener through Yoane Wissa, then lost narrowly to a late Daniel Muñoz header against Colombia. Their tournament is not over — third place in Group K still leaves a slender path through the expanded format’s best-third-placed berths — but the maths now depend on results elsewhere as much as their own.
Uzbekistan are making their first appearance at a World Cup and have found the step up unforgiving. They competed for an hour against Colombia before fading to a 3-1 defeat, then were taken apart 5-0 by Portugal in Houston. Zero points and a goal difference of −7 mean they are eliminated. What is left for them is the prize of a first-ever World Cup win, and the experience their younger players bank for the next cycle.
So this is a pride game with one team still clinging to a faint qualification thread. That framing matters for betting: DR Congo have a concrete reason to chase a result, while Uzbekistan are playing free of pressure but short of quality. For the wider tournament picture, see our Groups guide and the round-up of dark horses still worth a look.
Road to Matchday 3 — Verified Results
| Date | Fixture | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Jun | Portugal 1–1 DR Congo | Draw |
| 18 Jun | Colombia 3–1 Uzbekistan | Colombia W |
| 23 Jun | Portugal 5–0 Uzbekistan | Portugal W |
| 23 Jun | Colombia 1–0 DR Congo | Colombia W |
Group K Standings
| # | Team | P | W | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colombia | 2 | 2 | +3 | 6 |
| 2 | Portugal | 2 | 1 | +5 | 4 |
| 3 | DR Congo | 2 | 0 | −1 | 1 |
| 4 | Uzbekistan | 2 | 0 | −7 | 0 |
Colombia and Portugal are both through and settle first and second in their own meeting — see our Colombia vs Portugal preview for the other Group K tie. DR Congo and Uzbekistan have nothing to gain in the table beyond DR Congo’s outside best-third-placed shot.
What Each Side Needs
DR Congo cannot finish higher than third in Group K, but they are not yet eliminated. With one point and a −1 goal difference, a win over Uzbekistan would lift their points tally and improve their goal difference, strengthening their case in the eight-team best-third-placed cut for the Round of 32. Crucially, that case also depends on how the other groups’ third-placed sides finish — so DR Congo’s fate is partly out of their hands, but a clear win keeps them in the conversation.
Uzbekistan are out. On zero points with a −7 goal difference, no result here can rescue their first World Cup. They play purely for pride and for a maiden finals victory. That removes the qualification pressure but also the survival incentive that often lifts a struggling side on the final matchday.
Because the best-third-placed maths are genuinely live but fragile, treat any “DR Congo to qualify” markets with care — the price can swing on results in other groups that have nothing to do with this game. Our running World Cup betting tips track those moving scenarios day by day.
DR Congo’s Edge — Wissa and the Counter
DR Congo have looked the more organised and more threatening of the two on transition. Yoane Wissa’s equaliser against Portugal showed the side’s best quality: pace and directness in behind, with forwards who can punish space. Against a defence as porous as Uzbekistan’s — nine goals conceded in two games — that counter-attacking threat is the cleanest route to the win DR Congo want.
Uzbekistan have been competitive in patches without ever controlling a game. Abbosbek Fayzullaev’s goal against Colombia was a bright moment in an otherwise tough opener, and he remains the player most likely to create something. But the 5-0 loss to Portugal exposed how quickly the side can be opened up once the first goal goes in, and that fragility is the central read on this tie.
The likeliest shape is DR Congo carrying the initiative against a young Uzbekistan side that has struggled to keep clean sheets. A controlled, low-scoring DR Congo win is the base case — though a free-of-pressure Uzbekistan could equally make it scrappy.
Predicted Line-Ups
Predicted only. With third place and a faint qualification thread to protect, expect a near-strongest XI built to counter, with Wissa leading the line.
Predicted only. Already eliminated, Uzbekistan may rotate and hand minutes to younger players, with Fayzullaev the creative hub if he starts.
Line-ups are projected and will firm up nearer kick-off — confirm the team news before backing any goalscorer market.
Our Prediction
DR Congo have the sharper edge in transition and a real, if slim, reason to win — that best-third-placed thread. Uzbekistan, eliminated and playing free, can cause moments but have leaked goals all tournament. We see DR Congo edging a tighter, lower-scoring game than the bookmakers might imply. A DR Congo win paired with a controlled goal total is our headline read.
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Odds
DR Congo are favourites, with their slim qualification motive and the better recent performances tilting the market their way. The value sits in the result and the goals total rather than long-odds specials. Prices below are indicative — confirm the live number with your bookmaker before staking.
| Market | Selection | Indicative |
|---|---|---|
| Match result | DR Congo win | 8/11 |
| Match result | Draw | 23/10 |
| Match result | Uzbekistan win | 7/2 |
| Goals | Under 2.5 goals | 5/6 |
| Goals | Both teams to score — No | 10/11 |
| Scorer | Wissa anytime | 2/1 |
| Scorer | Bakambu anytime | 9/4 |
Best Bets — DR Congo vs Uzbekistan
The better side on form, with the cleaner counter-attack and a genuine reason to chase the result. Uzbekistan are eliminated and have conceded nine in two games. The most reliable read on the card.
DR Congo’s most direct attacking threat and already on the board this tournament against Portugal. Against a leaky Uzbekistan defence, he should see chances if he starts. Confirm the XI first.
A dead rubber with one cautious favourite and an eliminated opponent often settles into a controlled, low-tempo game. We expect DR Congo to manage it rather than chase a blowout.
Any “DR Congo to reach the Round of 32” price moves on results in other groups, not just this game. Treat it as a fluid market and only back it once the wider third-placed picture is clearer.
Bet Builder Tip
| Leg | Selection | Indicative |
|---|---|---|
| Result | DR Congo to win | 8/11 |
| Goals | Under 3.5 goals | 2/5 |
| Scorer | Wissa to score | 2/1 |
| Cards | Under 4.5 cards | 8/13 |
Four legs built around the game’s likeliest shape: a controlled DR Congo win, kept tidy, with Wissa the man most likely to make the difference. For more multi ideas, see our bet builder tips and accumulator tips.
Use a welcome free bet on DR Congo to win or Wissa anytime — full list on our offers page.
Where to Watch DR Congo vs Uzbekistan
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan is expected to be shown live in the UK on BBC Two, with a free stream on BBC iPlayer. Kick-off is 12:30am BST (7:30pm ET, Saturday) on Sunday 28 June 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia. UK coverage usually begins shortly before kick-off. Confirm the channel against the published TV listings on the day, as broadcaster splits can change late.
Head-to-Head & Key Numbers
| Stat | DR Congo | Uzbekistan |
|---|---|---|
| Group K record | D1 L1 · 1 pt | L2 · 0 pts |
| Goal difference | −1 | −7 |
| Goals scored | 1 | 1 |
| Goals conceded | 2 | 8 |
| Group K status | 3rd · slim hope | Eliminated |
World Cup 2026 — Final Group Games
Every remaining group-stage decider, with our prediction, best bets and goalscorer tips for each. Tap any tie for the full preview.
| Group | Fixture | Preview |
|---|---|---|
| I | Senegal v Iraq | Tips → |
| H | Uruguay v Spain | Tips → |
| H | Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia | Tips → |
| G | Egypt v Iran | Tips → |
| G | New Zealand v Belgium | Tips → |
| L | Panama v England | Tips → |
| L | Croatia v Ghana | Tips → |
| K | Colombia v Portugal | Tips → |
| K | DR Congo v Uzbekistan | DR Congo v Uzbekistan |
| J | Algeria v Austria | Tips → |
| J | Jordan v Argentina | Tips → |
More World Cup 2026 Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What time is DR Congo vs Uzbekistan?
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan kicks off at 12:30am BST (7:30pm ET, Saturday) on Sunday 28 June 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia.
What channel is DR Congo vs Uzbekistan on in the UK?
It is expected to be shown live and free on BBC Two, with a stream on BBC iPlayer. Confirm against the published listings on the day.
Can DR Congo or Uzbekistan still qualify?
Uzbekistan are eliminated on zero points. DR Congo cannot finish in the top two but, on one point in third place, retain a slim chance of advancing as one of the best third-placed teams — that depends on results in other groups as well as this game.
Why doesn’t this game decide the group?
Colombia and Portugal have both already qualified from Group K and settle first and second in their own meeting. DR Congo and Uzbekistan can only finish third and fourth.
What is our DR Congo vs Uzbekistan prediction?
We predict a 2-1 DR Congo win. They have the better counter-attack and a slim qualification motive, while Uzbekistan are eliminated and have conceded heavily. DR Congo to win and under 2.5 goals are our headline bets.
