DR Congo v Uzbekistan: 2026 World Cup Prediction

Could a miracle be on the cards for the D.R. Congo? It could well happen, as a win for the Africans against Uzbekistan would see them through to the 2026 World Cup. They have gained plenty of confidence from their strong performances against Colombia and Portugal and will undoubtedly take to the pitch with their chests out against the Uzbeks. We’ll tell you more about this match and give you our DR Congo v Uzbekistan prediction.

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DR Congo v Uzbekistan preview

The DR Congo v Uzbekistan match is one you wouldn’t normally expect to see at a World Cup. Thanks to the expansion to 48 teams, however, it’s actually happening. Here’s a brief look at both nations.

Current Form & Team News

DR Congo

No one would have expected the DR Congo to still be in contention for a place in the last 32 going into their third group match. In the matches against Colombia and Portugal, goalkeeper Mpasi-Nzau, who plays for Le Havre, was only called into action twice. That’s a credit to the team managed by head coach Sébastien Desabre. Naturally, all eyes will be on Yoane Wissa, the Newcastle United striker who found the net against Portugal, in the match against Uzbekistan too. Will he do it again and make his country even prouder than it already is?

Uzbekistan

In the run-up to the 2026 World Cup, Uzbekistan played a friendly against the Netherlands. It was immediately clear that the Oranje were by far the better side, but Ronald Koeman’s team still failed to put in a convincing performance. It was against Portugal that their weaknesses really came to the fore, meaning they now know they have been eliminated from the 2026 World Cup. Can Fabio Cannavaro get his side fired up one last time and treat the country to its first-ever point at a World Cup?

Head-to-Head

The Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uzbekistan have never played each other before. As a result, there is nothing to say about their head-to-head record.

Predicted line-ups

DR Congo (4-3-3):

Mpasi, Masuaku, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Wan-Bissaka, Sadiki, Moutoussamy, Mukua, Wissa, Bakambu, Elia

Uzbekistan (4-3-3):

Yusupov, AShurmatov, Hamraliev, Sayfiev, Shukurov, Khusanov, Khamrobek, Urunov, Shomurodov, Fayzullaev

DR Congo v Uzbekistan betting tips

Betting tip 1: Yoane Wissa to score or provide an assist

As mentioned, all eyes will be on Yoane Wissa. The header-strong striker recently made a big impression for his former club Brentford. Following his transfer to Newcastle United, he went through a slight dip in form, but he immediately regained his importance at the World Cup. We reckon he’ll lead the line against DR Congo and will score a goal or provide an assist. This will earn you odds of 1.98 at Oranje Palace.

Betting tip 2: Under 2.5 goals

We’ve already pointed out that DR Congo are a side that don’t concede many goals, but at the same time don’t score many either. Add to that the fact that Uzbekistan struggle to find the net, and there’s a good chance we’ll see few goals in this match. Indeed, in 14 of the 16 matches, there were no more than two goals. Under 2.5 goals gives you odds of 1.92 at Oranje Palace.

Prediction: DR Congo v Uzbekistan

** Final score: DR Congo – Uzbekistan 1–0**
It is now clear that DR Congo’s defence is very solid. It is no coincidence that they conceded just one goal in their match against the formidable Portugal. As DR Congo do not necessarily find it easy to score either, we are predicting a 1–0 victory for the Africans.