D.R. Congo vs Uzbekistan Prediction: June 28 World Cup 2026 Group K Preview

D.R. Congo and Uzbekistan close out Group K on June 28 in Atlanta in a match that, on paper, is a dead rubber for both sides. Colombia has already clinched top spot with six points, and Portugal sits second with four. D.R. Congo holds one point after drawing with Portugal and losing to Colombia, while Uzbekistan is eliminated with zero points and a brutal minus-seven goal difference after shipping eight goals in two games.

The Leopards need at least a draw to secure third place and any slim hope of a best third-place-team progression. What makes this match genuinely interesting is that despite Uzbekistan’s dreadful group stage record, they scored in their loss to Colombia and showed periods of controlled possession, suggesting they are not simply going to collapse.

Two players deserve attention heading into this fixture. For D.R. Congo, Yoane Wissa leads the attack with the most shots (8 free kicks earned, 1 goal) and the highest playing time among forwards, making him the focal point of Sébastien Desabre’s 4-2-3-1. For Uzbekistan, Abbosbek Fayzullaev is the only outfield player to register a goal in this tournament for his side, and with six free kicks drawn in three matches, he creates danger in transition.

Hot stat: Uzbekistan conceded eight goals in just two World Cup group games, the worst defensive record in Group K by a significant margin, yet managed to register a shot on target in both matches, showing they carry at least a minimal attacking threat even in heavy defeats.

D.R. Congo vs Uzbekistan Prediction

D.R. Congo is the clear favourite here, and the odds around 1.74-1.81 reflect that accurately. The Leopards have the stronger squad depth, more tournament experience, and a concrete reason to push for a win: third place in the group and a potential route to the knockout rounds as one of the best third-placed teams. Uzbekistan, already eliminated, has no such incentive, and their defensive numbers across three matches are alarming.

The most sensible bet is a D.R. Congo win. Their 4-2-3-1 generates more volume in attacking areas, averaging 6.6 total shots per game in their last five, compared to Uzbekistan’s 4.6. D.R. Congo’s pass accuracy is also significantly better (81% vs 78%), and they retain the ball more effectively in the final third. Uzbekistan’s 5-3-2 under Fabio Cannavaro is built to be compact, but it has been exposed repeatedly in this tournament by teams with pace on the wings, exactly the profile D.R. Congo carries with Wissa and Bongonda.

D.R. Congo commits more fouls per game (averaging 10.2 vs Uzbekistan’s 8.6 across five matches), which means Uzbekistan will earn set pieces. Given Fayzullaev’s delivery ability, there is a non-trivial chance Uzbekistan scores from a dead ball situation even in a losing effort. Both teams to score carries merit here. Uzbekistan’s 5-3-2 also tends to sit deep and absorb pressure, which limits corner kick volume for D.R. Congo, but their 19 corners across five matches still suggests they generate wide deliveries consistently. Uzbekistan registered only 8 corners in five matches, making them the passive side in that category.

• We predict D.R. Congo to win this match, most likely by a single goal margin given Uzbekistan’s defensive shape.
• Both teams to score: Yes, given Uzbekistan’s set-piece threat and D.R. Congo’s foul-heavy defensive approach.
• Total goals: Over 2.5, as D.R. Congo has incentive to push and Uzbekistan’s defence has been consistently exposed.
• Total corners: Over 8.5, driven by D.R. Congo’s wide play and Uzbekistan sitting deep.

Team Analysis

D.R. Congo’s group stage run has been underwhelming in terms of results but not entirely in performance. They drew 1-1 with Portugal, a creditable result against a team that beat Uzbekistan 5-0, and lost narrowly 0-1 to Colombia, the group winners. Before the tournament, they lost 1-2 to Chile and drew 0-0 with Denmark in friendlies, with their only win being a 1-0 over Jamaica. The Leopards have been defensively solid against quality opposition, but their attack has been quiet. Wissa’s goal against Portugal and Joris Kayembe’s strike are the only goals they have managed in five matches. Desabre’s side creates chances but struggles to convert, which is a concern even against Uzbekistan’s porous defence.

Uzbekistan’s tournament has been a difficult experience. They lost 1-3 to Colombia, 0-5 to Portugal, and 1-2 to the Netherlands in their pre-tournament fixtures, with only a 3-1 win over Gabon and a 0-0 draw with Venezuela showing any positive signs. In the World Cup itself, Fayzullaev’s goal against Colombia and Igor Sergeev’s strike were the only bright moments. Cannavaro’s 5-3-2 is defensively oriented, but the back five has been overloaded by direct, fast teams. Their pass accuracy sits at 78% across five matches, and they average only 186 passes per game, indicating they do not build from the back and rely heavily on transitions. With nothing to play for here, the question is whether Cannavaro uses this match to experiment or simply protects his players from further embarrassment.

Most Recent Head-to-Head Matches

These two sides have no significant competitive head-to-head history, and the only data point available is the upcoming fixture itself. The table below reflects the aggregated five-match stats for each team heading into this match.

🚨Check out our dedicated D.R. Congo vs Uzbekistan stats page for more info.

Pre-game Odds and Win Probability: D.R. Congo the Favourite

• Moneyline D.R. Congo 1.74-1.81 | Uzbekistan 3.05-4.65
• Draw 3.25-4.30
• Over/Under Over 2.5 N/A | Under 2.5 N/A
• BTTS (both teams to score) Yes N/A | No N/A

The spread across bookmakers is fairly tight for D.R. Congo, with most sitting between 1.72 and 1.81. The outlier is Betfury at 2.28, which represents the best available value if you back the Leopards. Uzbekistan’s odds range widely from 3.05 at Betfury to 4.65 at Bet365, reflecting genuine uncertainty about their attacking output. The draw market sits between 3.25 and 4.30, and to be honest, a draw at those prices is not appealing given D.R. Congo’s structural incentive to win. The bookmakers’ 54% implied probability for D.R. Congo feels accurate, perhaps even slightly conservative given Uzbekistan’s record in this tournament.

Possible Starting Lineups

D.R. Congo Possible Starting Eleven

Desabre is expected to maintain his 4-2-3-1. Mpasi-Nzau has been the first-choice goalkeeper with 12 saves across four appearances. The back four picks itself: Wan-Bissaka on the right with four interceptions across the tournament, Tuanzebe and Mbemba as the central pair, and Masuaku providing width and an assist on the left. Moutoussamy and Sadiki anchor the double pivot, with Kakuta and Bongonda supporting Wissa in the attacking line. Wissa, with eight free kicks drawn and the highest forward playing time, is the player most likely to decide this match.

Uzbekistan Possible Starting Eleven

Cannavaro’s 5-3-2 relies on Khusanov leading the defensive line, where he has posted six interceptions in three matches and remains the most disciplined defensive presence. Yusupov starts in goal with two saves in the tournament. Shukurov is the busiest midfielder with 142 passes and five shots across three games, effectively acting as the engine of whatever Uzbekistan can build going forward. Up front, Shomurodov and Fayzullaev form the pair, with Fayzullaev being the danger man from set pieces. Karimov’s eight fouls in three games is a concern, as it hands D.R. Congo frequent dead-ball opportunities in dangerous areas.

🏅Tips.GG Premium Subscription Brings You Even Closer to WIN!🏅

• Gain access to the most profitable bets by using our analysis of over 60,000 monthly predictions from 1000+ sources.
• Premium users enjoy predictions from tipsters with the highest win rate while also gaining access to favorable odds, outcome calculation, and quick filter to favorable odds.
• Unlock the “Golden Bet” – our unique formula for the best high-odd betting opportunities! Get detailed reports on our system’s performance, including Winrate, ROI, and Yield.

TipsGG Match Prediction

We predict D.R. Congo to win this match, with both teams scoring. The Leopards have a structural and motivational edge, better shot volume, superior pass accuracy, and wider attacking options. Uzbekistan is eliminated and has conceded eight goals in two group games, but their set-piece delivery via Fayzullaev and the frequency with which D.R. Congo gives away fouls (51 in five matches) creates a realistic path to a goal for Cannavaro’s side. A 2-1 scoreline in favour of D.R. Congo represents perhaps the most likely specific outcome, reflecting the Leopards’ attacking intent and Uzbekistan’s ability to nick one from a dead-ball situation. The best value bet on the board remains D.R. Congo to win at Betfury’s 2.28, and the BTTS Yes market adds an interesting secondary angle for those looking for a combined market.

Read also:Congo DR vs Uzbekistan: Predicted Lineups for World Cup 2026
Read also:DR Congo vs Uzbekistan Betting Odds and Match Preview
Read also:D.R. Congo vs Uzbekistan Head-to-Head: Record, Stats and Form (Updated June 2026)
Read also:DR Congo 2026 World Cup Preview: Squad, Odds, Prediction and Best Bets
Read also:Uzbekistan 2026 World Cup Preview: Squad, Odds, Prediction and Best Bets

More Useful Links for Football Fans

• Gamble Responsibly
• Best Football Betting Websites
• How to Bet On Sports
• Sports Betting Glossary
• Daily Football Predictions
• Football Teams Rankings
• Football Matches Today
• Current Football Tournaments
• Football Betting Guide by Tips.GG