EFC Brief

Of all the Everton threads woven through this fixture, Yoane Wissa is the one to watch. The Brentford forward has been a recurring name in Toffees transfer chatter, and he leads a DR Congo attack that also features the well-travelled Cédric Bakambu. Behind them, the Everton-linked spine is genuinely deep: Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Arthur Masuaku offer experienced width, with Axel Tuanzebe and Chancel Mbemba bringing Premier League and continental pedigree to the back line. Uzbekistan counter with two of their own. Abdukodir Khusanov, the young defender whose rise carried him to the very top of the English game, anchors a side fronted by Eldor Shomurodov, a striker who knows his way around European football. With confirmed lineups in hand, this is a rare chance to see so many Everton-adjacent names on one pitch at a World Cup. Kick-off is 7:30 PM ET — plenty here for the Goodison faithful to track.