- Recent form: DR Congo have drawn 2 of their last 5 matches, with Uzbekistan losing their last 3.
- Group position: DR Congo sit second on 1 point in World Cup Group K, while Uzbekistan are last on 0 from 1 game played.
- Recent record: Uzbekistan have failed to win or draw their last 2 away games.
Pivotal game for both nations
DR Congo and Uzbekistan meet at the Atlanta Stadium, USA, knowing that a win on Saturday is almost essential if either are to maintain serious hopes of progressing in Group K of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Congolese are making their long-awaited return to the World Cup, while Uzbekistan have never made it to this stage of the tournament before.
It's all still up for grabs for the pair after 1 game played, with the Leopards holding 1 point after a 1-1 draw with Portugal in their group opener and Uzbekistan yet to score a point after a 3-1 home defeat to Colombia.
Desabre's direct approach can unlock the Uzbekistan defence
Sébastien Desabre took over as DR Congo's manager in August 2022 and has instilled a direct, physical approach to their game that can cause teams trouble with their 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formations. Desabre's side are compact in defence and look to counter attack with as much pace and physicality as possible, making for an exciting game.
Desabre's tactical fluidity has helped DR Congo to be very tough to break down against bigger nations, as they demonstrated in their 1-1 draw with Portugal in their World Cup opener. That result made it 1 win, 2 draws and 2 defeats from their last 5 matches, but the draw with Portugal showed that the Leopards are capable of frustrating bigger opponents.
Disciplined Uzbek side in for a tough game
Uzbekistan have won 2 of their last 5 games, losing 3 times, and have made a poor start to the World Cup with a 2-0 defeat away to Canada, a 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands and a 3-1 loss at home to Colombia.
Fabio Cannavaro has been in charge since October 2025 and has brought a pragmatic, defence-first approach to this Uzbek side, who will line up in a disciplined mid-block in Atlanta. Cannavaro's team will not aim to control the ball or dominate the game and will instead look to structure their team well in order to be solid at the back and break with purpose.
Uzbekistan to fail in their quest for a win
Odds and prediction
The odds are on DR Congo at 2.07, while Uzbekistan are 3.45 for this game and there is clear value to be had in siding with Desabre's team as the favorites to edge what could be a tense affair. The odds on offer make DR Congo look like good value to win, especially given that they possess more attacking threat than Uzbekistan and have been very good at breaking down teams who sit back against them.
Both of these teams will consider this game vital to their group ambitions and a cagey affair could ensue, with the 'Both teams to score – No' market at 1.87 appealing given both teams' respective approaches. Uzbekistan's disciplined, structured approach will face off against DR Congo's transition game on Saturday, and it could be a game in which neither approach is able to master the other.
Players to watch
- Yoane Wissa has been DR Congo's most lethal player so far, scoring 1 goal in their opening game.
- Wissa's clinical finishing in the penalty area could be crucial, as could Arthur Masuaku's creativity, the latter having 1 assist in the opening game.
- Abbosbek Fayzullayev is Uzbekistan's top scorer in the group stage with 1 goal in 1 game and he could be a threat if the Asian side get ahead of the Congolese defence on Saturday.
