A World Cup Debutant Meets the AFCON Semifinalists for the Round of 16 Path
Uzbekistan vs DR Congo on June 27 closes Group K Matchday 3 simultaneously. Debutants meet the Leopards. Tactics, lineups, predictions.
- June 27, 2026 Saturday
- Mercedes-Benz Stadium
- Kick-Off 7:30 PM
A World Cup debutant meets the AFCON semifinalists for the Round of 16 path.
Uzbekistan’s first-ever tournament concludes its group stage. DR Congo’s tournament continues. The match likely decides Group K’s second qualification spot.
Everything you need at kickoff
- Date
- Sat, June 27, 2026
- Kickoff (USA)
- Mid-afternoon ET simultaneous with Portugal-Colombia
- Venue
- TBD Group K second venue
- Group
- Group K POR · COD · UZB · COL
- Stage
- Matchday 3 Group Stage
Round of 16 hopes on the line for both sides
For both teams, Round of 16 hopes ride on this match.
Five storylines in Group K’s other Matchday 3 closer
Uzbekistan’s debut concludes
Historic.
DR Congo’s tournament continues
AFCON semifinalists.
Eldor Shomurodov’s tournament tour
Serie A-honed.
Cédric Bakambu’s goal-scoring tour
Continued.
The simultaneous match factor
Group K’s final picture.
Tale of the tape
Uzbekistan’s previous group matches will have revealed competitive capacity.
DR Congo’s previous group matches will have revealed competitive readiness.
A 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 hybrid prioritizing defensive organization.
A 4-3-3 prioritizing physical intensity and counter-attacking.
Direct corners.
Direct corners.
- Eldor Shomurodov (striker)
- Khojimat Erkinov (creator)
- Otabek Shukurov (midfielder)
- Defensive discipline
- Set-piece scoring threat
- Chancel Mbemba (defender)
- Cédric Bakambu (striker)
- Yoane Wissa (pace)
- Théo Bongonda (winger)
- Tournament-tested mentality
- Sustained possession
- Squad pace
- World Cup inexperience
- Sustained possession
- Squad fatigue
- Strikers against elite defenses
Two organized teams — whoever produces moments wins
Two organized teams. Whoever produces moments wins.
Key questions
Can Uzbekistan compete with DR Congo’s physical intensity?
Can Bakambu produce one decisive moment?
Who wins the set-piece battle?
The names that decide it
Serie A-honed.
Creator.
Tactical glue.
Young.
Tactical tone.
Versatile.
Goal-scorer.
Pace.
Modern.
Creative.
Rising Stars & Breakout Candidates
Uzbekistan: Pro League products emerging.
DR Congo: Younger European-based talents pushing.
First meeting, two debut stories, and a growing infrastructure on both sides
First-ever competitive meeting
Uzbekistan and DR Congo have not previously met.
Uzbekistan’s first World Cup
Historic.
DR Congo’s 2024 AFCON semifinal
Recent.
The simultaneous match dynamic
Group K’s final picture.
Two emerging football nations
Both have growing infrastructure.
A multicultural U.S. venue atmosphere
A multicultural U.S. venue atmosphere.
Fantasy & Betting Angle — informational only
Bakambu anytime scorer: consistent value.
Shomurodov anytime scorer: decent value.
Both teams to score: plausible.
A wildcard: Wissa goal.
Play responsibly.
Best guess at kickoff
Lineups based on previous matchday performances.
Eldor Shomurodov scores Uzbekistan’s tournament-defining goal.
The Serie A striker delivers a moment that the country celebrates for generations.
One Player Nobody Is Talking About
Yoane Wissa. DR Congo’s Premier League-experienced forward will provide counter-attacking pace that exposes Uzbekistan’s center-backs.
A tense match. Shomurodov scores from a set piece. Wissa equalizes through a counter. Neither team produces the winner. Man of the match: Chancel Mbemba.
A match the World Cup celebrates
A match the World Cup celebrates. Two emerging football nations. Tournament dreams continue or conclude.
