Congo DR - Uzbekistan: score, highlights and statistics

DR Congo and Uzbekistan meet in a decisive Group K finale at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with both sides knowing that the result in Atlanta will determine who progresses to the round of 32.

Match Info: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan

DR Congo take on Uzbekistan on 28 June 2026 at 00:30 BST at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA, in the third and final round of Group K at the FIFA World Cup 2026. The match kicks off simultaneously with Portugal vs Colombia, making every goal in the parallel fixture immediately relevant to the final standings.

Where to Watch DR Congo vs Uzbekistan?

Viewers in the United States have the widest broadcast choice: Fox Sports 1 carries the match on cable television, while streaming options include FOX One, Foxsports.com, Fubo TV, and Peacock. Spanish-speaking audiences in the US can tune into UNIVERSO on TV or UNIVERSO NOW online, while Futbol de Primera Radio provides live radio commentary.

Canadian supporters can stream the match on TSN+, while Australian fans can watch via SBS On Demand and New Zealand viewers through TVNZ+. Brazilian audiences have free access through CazéTV, and Mexican viewers can find the match on VIX.

Elsewhere, the fixture is available on DAZN España (Spain), beIN SPORTS CONNECT F.R. (France), DAZN Italia (Italy), and DIRECTV GO / DIRECTV Sports Argentina (Argentina).

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan - Match Preview

Atlanta hosts the first ever competitive meeting between DR Congo and Uzbekistan - two sides whose paths to this World Cup tell very different stories, but whose need for three points on matchday 3 is identical.

DR Congo are back at a World Cup for the first time since 1974, when they participated as Zaire. Under head coach Sébastien Desabre, the Congolese sit second in Group K heading into the final matchday, sustained by a defensively resilient campaign that has seen them concede just 1 goal across their last 5 matches. Their qualifying run through the intercontinental playoff - a 2:0 win over Bermuda and a 1:0 victory over Jamaica - demonstrated tactical discipline and an ability to grind out results when it matters most.

Uzbekistan step onto the grandest stage in football for the very first time in their national history. Sitting third in Group K, they need a win in Atlanta to realistically advance. Their 5-match build-up showed genuine attacking quality - 9 goals scored - though a 0:2 defeat to Canada on 2 June 2026 exposed vulnerabilities at the back when facing direct, pacy forwards. Centre-back Abdulkhali Khusanov of Manchester City is the linchpin of their defensive structure, and his performance in Atlanta may prove decisive for Uzbekistan's historic debut.

Head-to-Head: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan

The Atlanta encounter is entirely uncharted territory: according to records held by FBref and FIFA, DR Congo and Uzbekistan have never met before in any official or friendly match. This June 2026 clash is not just a World Cup match - it is the opening chapter of a brand-new rivalry between two nations with no shared football history.

The only known meeting between these two nations is the match itself:

• 27 June 2026 - FIFA World Cup, Group Stage - DR Congo vs Uzbekistan (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta)

DR Congo - Recent Form

DR Congo arrive in Atlanta with 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat from their last 5 matches, scoring 6 goals and conceding just 1 - a defensive record that underlines their solidity at this decisive stage of the tournament.

The most recent result, a goalless draw against Denmark on 3 June 2026, confirmed that coach Desabre's side is well-organised at the back and difficult to break down even against European opposition. Before that, DR Congo navigated the intercontinental playoff with clinical efficiency: a 2:0 win over Bermuda on 25 March was followed by a 1:0 victory over Jamaica on 31 March to seal World Cup qualification. Botswana were swept aside 3:0 on 30 December 2025, though a 0:1 loss to Algeria on 6 January 2026 served as a reminder that vulnerabilities exist.

Captain Chancel Mbemba marshals the defence, while attackers Cédric Bakambu and Fiston Mayele offer a genuine threat on the counter and from set-pieces. DR Congo's physicality and vertical directness make them a difficult opponent for any side that concedes space in behind.

Uzbekistan - Recent Form

Uzbekistan head into their most important match to date with 2 wins, 2 draws and 1 loss from their last 5 outings, netting 9 goals but also conceding 7 - a pattern that signals an open, attacking style paired with clear defensive fragility.

Their attacking verve was on clear display in a 4:2 win over FC Urartu on 30 January 2026 and a 3:1 victory over Gabon on 27 March. However, a 2:2 draw with China on 26 January and a goalless stalemate with Venezuela on 30 March suggested inconsistency when opponents defend deep. The most concerning result was the 0:2 defeat to Canada on 2 June 2026, in which Uzbekistan's full-backs were repeatedly exposed - a warning that DR Congo's direct forwards may exploit in Atlanta.

Striker Eldor Shomurodov carries the main goalscoring burden, and the team's ability to find him in space - rather than forcing play through congested midfield areas - is likely to prove decisive. If Khusanov remains fit and marshals the back line effectively, Uzbekistan carry enough quality to produce a historic result.

Facts and Statistics

4 key facts to know before this historic World Cup encounter:

• The Atlanta match is the first ever meeting between DR Congo and Uzbekistan in recorded football history - no previous friendly or official match has ever been played between the two nations.
• DR Congo are appearing at the World Cup for the first time since 1974, a gap of 52 years. Their only previous appearance ended in the group stage, when they played under the name Zaire.
• Uzbekistan are making their World Cup debut in 2026 - the nation has never before qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals.
• All final Group K matches kick off simultaneously on 27 June 2026: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan in Atlanta and Portugal vs Colombia at a concurrent venue, ensuring fair sporting conditions for all 4 teams.