Yoane Wissa struck twice as DR Congo came from behind to beat eliminated Uzbekistan in Atlanta and seal a spot in the 2026 World Cup knockout stage and a last-32 meeting with England on Wednesday. Eldor Shomurodov had a goal ruled out inside the first 30 seconds before putting Uzbekistan on course for their first points at the finals with a deft angled lob after 10 minutes.Nathanael Mbukus strike for the Leopards was contentiously disallowed for a foul in the build-up following a Video Assistant Referee check before the break, but Wissa equalised with a 68th-minute header and Fiston Mayele prodded in 10 minutes later to turn the scoreline around.Newcastle forward Wissa added another in style during second-half added time, finding a far corner of the net with a low shot on the turn from outside the box. Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026: DR Congo confirmed team vs UzbekistanWorld Cup 2026: Uzbekistan full line up vs DR CongoWorld Cup 2026: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan statsWorld Cup 2026: DR Congo confirmed team vs UzbekistanDR Congo starting XI: Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku, Nathanael Mbuku, Samuel Moutoussamy, Noah Sadiki, Brian Cipenga, Cedric Bakambu, Yoane WissaDR Congo substitutes: Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo, Steve Kapuadi, Dylan Batubinsika, Joris Kayembe, Gedeon Kalulu, Ngalayel Mukau, Theo Bongonda, Aaron Tshibola, Charles Pickel, Edo Kayembe, Gael Kakuta, Meschack Elia, Fiston Mayele, Simon BanzaWorld Cup 2026: Uzbekistan full line up vs DR CongoUzbekistan starting XI: Abduvohid Nematov, Abdukodir Khusanov, Khojiakbar Alijonov, Rustam Ashurmatov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Jakhongir Urozov, Akmal Mozgovoy, Otabek Shukurov, Dostonbek Khamdamov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Eldor ShomurodovUzbekistan substitutes: Utkir Yusupov, Botirali Ergashev, Farrukh Sayfiev, Umar Eshmurodov, Abdulla Abdullaev, Behruzjon Karimov, Avazbek Ulmasaliyev, Jamshid Iskanderov, Odiljon Xamrobekov, Ruslanbek Jiyanov, Oston Urunov, Azizjon Ganiev, Sherzod Esanov, Azizbek Amonov, Igor SergeevWorld Cup 2026: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan statsOnly Wales (64 years, between 1958 and 2022), Egypt (56 years, between 1934 and 1990) and Norway (56 years, between 1938 and 1994) have had longer gaps in successive World Cup participations than DR CongoOnly Bolivia (first 5 games), Canada and Greece (first 4 games) have played more games at the tournament before scoring their first goal than DR Congo, who are yet to open their accountIncluding play-offs, 10 of DR Congos 13 qualifying matches were drawn (2) or decided by a one-goal margin (6 wins, 2 losses), while keeping a clean sheet in eight of their 13 matchesIn African qualifying, only Gambia and Gabon (3 each) had more players with at least six goal involvements than DR Congo, for whom Cedric Bakambu (4 goals, 2 assists) and Wissa (3 goals, 3 assists) contributed six eachSebastien Desabre is at his third major tournament in charge of DR Congo, who the Frenchman guided them to fourth place at the 2023 AFCON and the round of 16 at the 2025 editionUzbekistan were making their World Cup debutThey are one of only five teams to have reached the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup at each of the last six tournaments, alongside Iran, Iraq, Japan and Korea Republic.Qatar were the only team to beat Uzbekistan in their 16 qualifiers, scoring the winner in the 12th minute of added time at homeShomurodov was involved in more goals than any other Uzbekistan player in qualifying, contributing five goals and four assistsHead coach Fabio Cannavaro played every minute as captain of winners Italy at the 2006 World Cup, with his appearances at four editions a joint-record for the AzzurriAppointed in October 2025, Cannavaro is in his second managerial spell with a national team after leading China PR in 2019 Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup DR Congo national football team FIFA World Cup Uzbekistan National Team World Cup World Cup 2026 Yoane Wissa Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read World Cup 2026: Colombia 0-0 Portugal report, result, goals as Selecao settle for second in section and how Rooney believes disconnected Ronaldo emulates Messi Ben Miller 28th June, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Algeria vs Austria confirmed teams and full line ups, TV channel, live online stream Jon Fisher 28th June, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Lionel Messi on bench for Argentina vs Jordan as confirmed teams and full line ups are announced, TV channel, live online stream Ben Miller 28th June, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Bruno Fernandes denied in huge moment before Joao Felix produces stunning strike in Portugal vs Colombia Ben Miller 28th June, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Portugal vs Colombia confirmed teams and full line ups as Ronaldo targets more goals, TV channel, live online stream George Nash 28th June, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan confirmed teams and full line ups, TV channel, live online stream George Nash 28th June, 2026
