DR Congo versus Uzbekistan

Group stage Scheduled Group K
0–0

DR Congo

DR Congo return after a 52-year absence, having last appeared in 1974 as Zaire under Mobutu. Sébastien Desabre, the French coach who took over in 2022, has built around the European-based core: Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis) leads the line, Yoane Wissa (Newcastle) and Silas Katompa (Stuttgart) provide pace, Chancel Mbemba (anchor of the back), and goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi. The Leopards reached the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations semi-final, signalling that this generation is no longer just a footnote. Group K with Portugal, Uzbekistan and Colombia is challenging — second place would require beating either Uzbekistan and at minimum drawing with Colombia. The country has waited two generations for this moment; advancing past the group stage for the first time in their history is the legacy-defining target.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan make their tournament debut, an extraordinary first for a Central Asian nation that has spent two decades knocking on the door. Srečko Katanec, the legendary Slovenian coach who took over in 2024, has built a tactical, defensively-disciplined side. Eldor Shomurodov (Roma), Igor Sergeyev and Otabek Shukurov form the attack; Abbosbek Fayzullaev (CSKA Moscow) is the rising creative star; Khusniddin Aliquliev anchors the back. The White Wolves qualified directly from AFC for the first time after expanding to 8.5 Asian places — the format change finally rewarded long-built Uzbek football infrastructure. Group K with Portugal, DR Congo and Colombia is brutal but Uzbekistan are organised enough to compete. A point would be a national triumph; advancing would rewrite Central Asian footballing history.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium

Mercedes-Benz Stadium hosts eight matches in 2026, including a round-of-16 fixture, anchoring the tournament in the American South. Located in downtown Atlanta, the venue opened in 2017 with a distinctive retractable roof that opens and closes in eight pie-shaped petals — a design unique among modern stadiums. Capacity for football is approximately 71,000. Home to the Atlanta Falcons and the Atlanta United MLS franchise, it brings genuine football operations expertise to the tournament. The retractable roof is decisive in Atlanta's humid summers, where afternoon heat indices can exceed 40°C. The stadium has been retrofitted from artificial turf to natural grass for the tournament. Atlanta's status as a major Black metropolis and the Southeast's commercial centre makes it a strategic choice — and the city has actively cultivated football culture for nearly a decade.