Uzbekistan vs. Congo Preview
Final matchday in Group K
One of the most thrilling things about the final day of group play at a World Cup is the simultaneous kickoffs. After the Disgrace of Gijon at the 1982 World Cup in Spain (where West Germany and Austria colluded and conspired to get a certain result that would prevent Algeria from advancing the next day) FIFA decreed that the finale of each group would feature both games kicking off at the same time. This has created incredible drama as teams not only have to stay focused on their game but potentially keep on eye on the other game in the group, depending on what kind of result they need based on the standing in the group. The potential tonight in Atlanta exists as Congo takes on Uzbekistan.
One of the themes of this World Cup has been the teams making their debuts and showing well. Cape Verde, for example, got through the group stage with three draws in three games and find themselves in the knockout rounds. Curacao may not have advanced from the group, but they did score a goal against Germany and then got a draw with Ecuador. Congo has been another one of those teams. They got their tournament off to an incredible start with a stunning 1-1 draw with Portugal in Houston, a result that prompted much of the world’s soccer media to call for Cristiano Ronaldo to be benched. Congo’s next game was against Colombia in Guadalajara, and while they weren’t able to get a point, they still made the game tremendously difficult for the Colombians and only lost 1-0. They could still possibly qualify for the knockout round with a win, as it would put them on four points. And this is where the drama of the simultaneous kickoffs comes into play because, should Congo win and Portugal lose to Colombia, they would be tied on 4 points and have gotten a head-to-head draw. The next tie breaker would be goal difference, and while Portugal looks good to win that tie breaker, stranger things have happened at World Cups. The possibility also exists, should Congo get a win, for the to advance as one of the best third place teams. If anybody is going to step up for the Warriors of the Equator, one would figure that Yoane Wissa is that man, with ten goals in 40 appearances for his country, including the goal against Portugal.
Uzbekistan is another of the World Cup debutantes. They too still have a chance to advance to the knockout rounds as one of the best third place teams, but they will need a win against Congo and probably some help from elsewhere. Their form coming into the tournament was not the best as they were on a three-game winless streak: a draw with Venezuela in March and then a pair of pre-World Cup friendly losses to Canada and the Netherlands. Once at the World Cup, it’s been tough going, which is to be expected as it is their first World Cup. They dropped their opener in Mexico City 3-1 and then were demolished by Portugal in Houston by a score of 5-0 (Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice for Portugal). Coach Fabio Cannavaro will need to have his team ready to play from the opening whistle in Atlanta on Saturday night and will need his best and his most experienced players to step up in a big way. Most of the players in the squad are based at clubs in Uzbekistan, Turkey, and Iran but they do have defender Abdukodir Khusanov (with 29 caps) at Manchester City in the Premier League. But for Uzbekistan to get the win, it will need to be one of Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Eldor Shomurdov, or Igor Sergeev who steps up and delivers for the White Wolves. Fayzullaev scored the Uzbek goal against Colombia while Shomurdov and Sergeev have 94 and 94 caps respectively, to go with 44 and 25 goals apiece.
When, Where
Date: Saturday, June 27, 2026
Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
City: Atlanta, GA
Time: 7:30pm ET
TV: FS1
How They Qualified
Uzbekistan: AFC Third Round Group A runners-up
Congo: Inter-confederation Pathway 1 Playoff winners
Current FIFA Ranking
Uzbekistan: 57
Congo: 46
Group K Standings
Colombia: 6pts (+3)
Portugal: 4pts (+5)
Congo: 1pt (-1)
Uzbekistan: 0pts (-7)
Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated