DR Congo starting lineup vs Uzbekistan confirmed for FIFA World Cup 2026 match

The Leopards can seal their place in the Round of 32 with a win in tonight’s game.

DR Congo take on Uzbekistan in their final Group K match in the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 27. The African side returned to the quadrennial tournament after a gap of 52 years, and are just one win away from securing a place in the knockout stages.

The Congolese team began their campaign with a shock 1-1 draw with Portugal. Despite going down early due to Joao Neves’ sixth-minute opener, the minnows kept pushing hard for an equaliser. Their efforts bore fruit just before half-time, with Yoane Wissa finding the back of the net, earning a crucial point.

Their next match, however, was a narrow 1-0 loss to Colombia. Daniel Munoz scored in the 76th minute to condemn the Leopards to a heartbreaking defeat. Despite the result, they remain in third place with a point.

A win tonight will take Sebastien Desabre’s team to four points and essentially secure qualification as one of the eight best third-placed teams. They also have a slender chance of finishing second, but they would need to beat Uzbekistan by a large margin and hope that Portugal lose to Colombia.

Also Read: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan: Five key battles to watch out for in FIFA World Cup 2026

Let’s look at the DR Congo confirmed lineup for the FIFA World Cup 2026 match against Uzbekistan:

DR Congo (4-4-2): Lionel Mpasi; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku; Nathanael Mbuku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Noah Sadiki, Biran Cipenga; Cedric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa.

Substitutes: Matthieu Epolo (gk), Timothy Fayulu (gk), Simon Banza, Dylan Batubinsika, Theo Bongonda, Meschack Elia, Gael Kakuta, Gedeon Kalulu, Steve Kapuadi, Edo Kayembe, Joris Kayembe, Fiston Mayele, Ngalayel Mukau, Charles Pickel, Aaron Tshibola.

📢 La Compo🆚 Ouzbékistan 🏟 Atlanta Stadium🕘 Coup d’envoi : 00h30 Kinshasa | 19h30 Atlanta 🧤 Mpasi🛡 Wan Bissaka – Tuanzebe – Mbemba (C) – Masuaku⚙️ Mbuku – Moutoussamy – Sadiki⚡ Cipenga – Bakambu – WissaTous derrière nos Léopards ! 🐆💪🏾🇨🇩#AllezLesLéopards pic.twitter.com/j47E45KZIE

— Fecofa RDC_Officiel (@FecofaRdc) June 27, 2026

Thoughts on the lineup

With no new injuries to his squad, Desabre sticks with an unchanged side in tonight’s game. Lionel Mpasi has been solid between the sticks in both matches so far, and he is protected by the centre-back pairing of Chancel Mbemba and Axel Tuanzebe.

Former Manchester United star Aaron Wan-Bissaka starts on the right, joined by Lens’ Arthur Masuaku. Indian-origin Samuel Moutoussamy starts in the middle of the park and will be key in starting the attacks. He is joined by Sunderland’s Noah Sadiki. Montpellier attacker Nathanael Mbuku and Brian Cipenga make their first starts of the tournament.

Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa have been brilliant up top for the Leopards, and they continue to be the attacking duo in tonight’s match as well.

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