Congo DR face Uzbekistan in World Cup opener

Congo DR opened their 2026 World Cup campaign with a group-stage clash against Uzbekistan, though the final scoreline from the match has not yet been confirmed. The fixture carries added significance for the Leopards, who saw their pre-tournament preparations disrupted when a planned friendly against Chile was relocated from Spain to Orleans, France, after local authorities in La Línea de la Concepción issued a decree blocking the match. With the Chile friendly offering the only known warm-up opportunity, how Congo DR approached that fixture may have shaped their readiness for the Uzbekistan test (1).