The Democratic Republic of Congo find themselves in a familiar position for underdog nations at a World Cup: win or go home. Their final Group K match against Uzbekistan on June 27 in Atlanta represents the kind of high-stakes, must-win scenario that turns unknown squads into tournament darlings, or sends them packing with nothing but frequent flyer miles.
DR Congo currently sit on 1 point from two matches. A victory would push them to 4 points, a total that could be enough to advance in the expanded 48-team format. Uzbekistan, meanwhile, have zero points after two consecutive losses, making this a desperation match for both sides.
The stakes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. It will be the first senior international meeting between these two nations.
For DR Congo, the math is straightforward. Three points from a win would bring their total to 4, which in a 48-team tournament with expanded third-place qualification pathways, could be enough to book a spot in the knockout rounds. A draw keeps them on 2 points and likely leaves them dependent on results elsewhere. A loss ends the campaign entirely.
