Congo DR is set to play Uzbekistan in a significant World Cup 2026 group stage fixture. The match will take place on Sunday, June 28, at 12:30 AM (BST) at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Both teams are aiming for their first victory of the tournament in what marks their final group game.
For Congo DR, a win is essential to maintain any hope of advancing to the knockout stages. They currently have one point from their two World Cup matches, having secured a 1-1 draw against Portugal and experienced a 1-0 loss to Colombia. Their recent form indicates resilience, with only three losses in their last ten international matches.
In contrast, Uzbekistan has already been eliminated from the tournament after suffering two substantial defeats. They lost 3-1 to Colombia and 5-0 to Portugal, leaving them with zero points. This final match offers them an opportunity to play for national pride and potentially secure their first World Cup points.
Match Dynamics and Team Form
This upcoming game will be the first competitive encounter between Congo DR and Uzbekistan. Congo DR’s matches have often been low-scoring, with eight of their last ten games seeing under 2.5 goals. Their squad enters this vital fixture without any reported injury concerns, providing a full-strength side for this must-win game. Attacker Wissa, who scored their only World Cup goal so far, is expected to be a key player.
Uzbekistan’s recent performance has been challenging, marked by a four-game losing streak. Their defence has struggled significantly, conceding eight goals across their two World Cup matches. With Masharipov unavailable, Abbos Fayzullayev, their sole goalscorer in the competition, will be a primary attacking threat. The team aims to deliver a positive performance for their supporters in this final fixture.
The match is anticipated to be tightly contested, with Congo DR needing a victory to have any chance of progressing, while Uzbekistan seeks a morale boost. Congo DR’s motivation is expected to be a decisive factor, leading to a predicted win for the African side.
Officials and Broadcast Information
The referee for the match is Felix Zwayer, an official from Germany. He will be joined by fellow countrymen Robert Kempter and Christian Dietz. Spain’s Alejandro Hernández will serve as the fourth official, with Diego Sanchez as the reserve assistant referee. Zwayer, who is 45 years old, previously officiated a World Cup match between the USA and Australia on June 19, 2026, where he experienced muscle cramp during stoppage time.
For those interested in watching the match, broadcast information indicates that it will be available on BBC Sport (Gbr) and BBC Two (Gbr). Streaming options include BBC iPlayer (Gbr), BBC Radio 5 Live (Gbr), and the BBC Sport app (Gbr). The kick-off is scheduled for 12:30 AM (BST).
Both managers are expected to field strong lineups. Sébastien Desabre, the manager for Congo DR, is likely to feature a balanced side, including players like Mpasi, Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Kapuadi, Masuaku, Kayembe, Moutoussamy, Mukau, Bakambu, and Wissa. Fabio Cannavaro, managing Uzbekistan, is predicted to field a competitive lineup with players such as Nematov, Abdullayev, Husanov, Ashurmatov, Karimov, Nasrullaev, Khamrobekov, Shukurov, Fayzullaev, Ganiev, and Shomurodov.
The match is crucial for Congo DR’s tournament aspirations, as they need a win to have any chance of progressing to the next round of the 2026 World Cup.
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Source: oddsscanner.com
