DR Congo vs Uzbekistan 2026 World Cup: Wissa, Cannavaro & Shomurodov — Group K Preview

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan — 2026 World Cup Group K, Round 2. On 28 June at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, two compelling stories collide. DR Congo — the Leopards — arrive armed with Premier League firepower in the shape of Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United) and veteran striker Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis). Uzbekistan — making their first-ever World Cup appearance — are coached by Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro, the last defender to win the Ballon d’Or (2006). In Group K, where Portugal and Colombia are expected to dominate, this match between Congo and Uzbekistan may well decide who keeps alive any hope of advancing. A decisive, historic and utterly unpredictable clash.

Match Details

DR Congo: Wissa, Bakambu and Premier League Firepower

Yoane Wissa is the player every DR Congo fan will be looking to for inspiration. The Newcastle United forward scored 49 goals in 149 appearances during his Brentford days — culminating in a personal-best 19 Premier League goals last season. Born in France, Wissa pledged his international allegiance to DR Congo and has become one of the most exciting forwards on the African continent. His pace, movement and clinical finishing make him an enormous threat against Uzbekistan’s defence, even with Khusanov (Manchester City) at its heart.

Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis, age 35) is one goal away from becoming DR Congo’s all-time leading scorer, sitting on 21 international goals — one behind Dieumerci Mbokani’s record of 22. This World Cup may be his last chance to claim that landmark, and what a stage to do it. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United) provides defensive solidity on the right flank, bringing top-flight English football experience to the backline.

Uzbekistan: Cannavaro’s Blueprint for a Historic Debut

Fabio Cannavaro is one of the greatest defenders in football history. Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain. The last defender to win the Ballon d’Or. Now, as a coach, he has achieved something equally remarkable — guiding Uzbekistan to their first-ever World Cup. His philosophy is typically Italian: defensive organisation above all, compact shape, fast transitions. It has transformed Uzbekistan from a team that used to struggle in Asian qualifying into a genuine competitive force.

Eldor Shomurodov (Istanbul Basaksehir) is Uzbekistan’s all-time top scorer with 44 international goals. The 30-year-old — 1.90m tall — combines aerial dominance with sharp finishing. He left Roma on a permanent deal to join Istanbul Basaksehir in April 2026, ensuring he arrived at the World Cup with regular match minutes under his belt. Shomurodov is Cannavaro’s attacking reference point and the player DR Congo’s defence must plan their entire game around.

Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City, 22) made history as the first Uzbek player to appear in the Premier League. He joined City from Lens in January 2025 for around £35 million, helping them win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup last season. Alongside the experienced Shomurodov, Khusanov’s Premier League-honed defensive instincts make this Uzbekistan team more dangerous than their ranking suggests.

Head-to-Head Record

DR Congo and Uzbekistan have virtually no head-to-head record in official FIFA competition. The 28 June match in Atlanta will represent their first significant meeting on the international stage. With no historical data to fall back on, tactical preparation and individual quality will be the deciding factors.

Prediction and Match Preview

Cannavaro will likely set up in a deep defensive block, inviting DR Congo onto them and looking to spring Shomurodov in behind on the counter-attack. Desabre will back Wissa’s pace and movement to exploit space in behind Uzbekistan’s high defensive line — if they push up. Set-pieces, corners and free-kicks could easily prove decisive in such a balanced contest.

The sub-plot within this match: Yoane Wissa vs Abdukodir Khusanov. Two Premier League players — one from Newcastle, one from Manchester City — going head-to-head on the World Cup stage. It doesn’t get much better than that.

⚠️ This is a pre-match analysis only and does not constitute betting advice.

Summary and Viewing Guide

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan on 28 June at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium is one of the most intriguing Group K clashes of the 2026 World Cup. The Leopards’ European-based attack versus Cannavaro’s organised defensive unit — this is the kind of match that World Cups are made for. A win here is worth more than three points. It’s worth a dream.

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