- DR Congo have two draws, two defeats and one win in their last five matches (all competitions).
- Uzbekistan have no wins or draws from their last two away matches (two defeats).
- Uzbekistan have two wins and three defeats from their last five games (all competitions).
Cagey contest in the Deep South
DR Congo and Uzbekistan meet at the Atlanta Stadium in the USA for a key clash in FIFA World Cup Group K, 2026 on Saturday. The Leopards sit second in the group with one point from their opening match while Uzbekistan are fourth with no points.
Sébastien Desabre has added a clear style of play to DR Congo since taking over in August 2022, favouring a compact 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation with a direct, physical style and transitions that take advantage of the open field. They have been a mixed bag in 2026 with one win, two draws and two defeats from their five most recent fixtures, but Desabre has shown a willingness to change his team's approach depending on the game.
DR Congo are more likely to win
DR Congo are the slight favourite at 2.07 to win this Group K fixture while Uzbekistan have a price of 3.45, making them a very attractive option for the double chance market. But, despite their recent form, we feel DR Congo are the more likely winner here.
They possess similar goal threat to Uzbekistan and should be able to nick this cagey contest, which could be a tactical stalemate of sorts. DR Congo will look to press Uzbekistan when they have the ball and play with more freedom on the counterattack, but Uzbekistan are a pragmatic, defence-first side that aren't suited to being sucked into an end-to-end game.
Two tough, but effective, coaches
Desabre and Uzbekistan boss Fabio Cannavaro are both pragmatic coaches. Uzbekistan's players, and their formation, will be set up to play in a mid-block, with players covering for one another and maintaining a rigid structure. They will look to be solid and structured when they have the ball but this structured approach hasn't borne fruit in the World Cup group yet, with Uzbekistan coming undone in a 2-0 defeat to Canada, 2-1 defeat to the Netherlands and 3-1 defeat to Colombia.
Cannavaro, who took over in October 2025, has only recently come in and is yet to make Uzbekistan solid and organised as a unit. DR Congo have also had their difficulties but Desabre has found a way to make his team resilient against stronger opponents than Uzbekistan in their 1-1 draw with Portugal last time out.
Goals could be scarce in Atlanta Stadium
So, this could be a cagey affair, which is reflected in the price for Both teams to score - No at 1.87. Uzbekistan, who are making their World Cup debut, and DR Congo, who are back after decades away, will both see this as a must-not-lose game to their ambitions of qualification.
Both teams to score - No looks a good option in this Group K clash at Atlanta Stadium. Arthur Masuaku has been a driving force behind DR Congo's attacks so far with one assist in his one World Cup group game, while Yoane Wissa leads the line with 1 goal. Uzbekistan's top scorer in the World Cup group stage is also on one goal, but Abbosbek Fayzullayev hasn't been as clinical as Wissa.
