Sports · World Cup 2026 · Group K
Congo DRvs
Uzbekistan
Saturday, June 27, 2026 · 7:30 p.m. ET · Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), Atlanta, GA
Watch: FS1 · Universo
My pick: Congo DR win · locked 2026-06-26 11:50 UTCPrediction
Congo DR to edge a dead rubber. Both sides are effectively out — Congo DR (one point) need a big win and a cascade of favours to sneak a best-third place, while Uzbekistan (no points, minus-seven) are eliminated. The Leopards have looked the steadier side, conceding far fewer goals, and Yoane Wissa and Cédric Bakambu give them a cutting edge a porous Uzbekistan defence may struggle to contain in Atlanta. With little but pride at stake, Congo DR's greater quality should show. 2-0 Congo DR.
The case for Congo DR
50% to winCongo DR carry Premier League and Ligue 1 quality through Yoane Wissa, Cédric Bakambu and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, and have defended far better than their group rivals. With a slim mathematical hope still alive, Sébastien Desabre's side can play with freedom and the firepower to win comfortably against an outclassed opponent.
The case for Uzbekistan
22% to winUzbekistan, at their first World Cup, have shown flashes through Abbosbek Fayzullaev and Eldor Shomurodov and will want to sign off with a performance after two heavy defeats. If Fabio Cannavaro's side tighten up and take a rare chance, they can frustrate a Congo DR team that needs goals and snatch a first-ever World Cup point.
Both cases written 2026-06-26, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 28% belongs to the draw.
Congo DR 5-3-23-4-2-1 UzbekistanThe briefing
Storylines
- Both sides are effectively out: Congo DR (one point) cling to a faint best-third hope; Uzbekistan (no points) are eliminated.
- Uzbekistan have conceded eight goals across two defeats on their World Cup debut.
- Congo DR's Yoane Wissa and Cédric Bakambu carry the firepower in a must-score finale.
- Played under the roof at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta — a climate-controlled environment.
The coaches
Sébastien Desabre Congo DR
The French coach has Congo DR compact in a back five and dangerous through Wissa and Bakambu.
Fabio Cannavaro Uzbekistan
The World Cup-winning former defender leads Uzbekistan at their first World Cup, set up to defend and counter.
Availability
| Squad | Desabre expected to go for goals with a faint qualification hope alive | Pre-match previews (June 26, 2026) · 2026-06-26 |
| Squad | Cannavaro has a fit squad for a dead-rubber finale | Pre-match previews (June 26, 2026) · 2026-06-26 |
Availability drifts hourly in tournament week — every row carries its source and date for exactly that reason.
Watch: FS1 in English (stream on Fox One with a TV provider) and Universo in Spanish (stream on Peacock); the free Tubi simulcast carries the Spanish feed. (NBC News / FOX Sports World Cup TV schedule, as of 2026-06-26)
Weather: Roof at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta — a climate-controlled environment, no forecast needed. (Venue (retractable roof), as of 2026-06-26)
Venue: Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), Atlanta, GA, United States — FIFA strips sponsor names for the tournament; the everyday name is in parentheses.
