We have reached the final two group previews of the World Cup 2026! Before Group L wraps it all up, here is the snapshot of Group K. This group includes Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and DR Congo.
Group K is an intriguing bunch. Portugal always enters the World Cup as one of the favorites each cycle, but the nation has never won the trophy. Colombia is back in the World Cup after missing the 2022 edition. Uzbekistan is making its first-ever World Cup appearance thanks to the extended format and an up-and-coming, talented generation, and DR Congo is back in the World Cup for the first time since 1974!
Group K kind of has it all when you look into it. There's the star power of Portugal, the resurgence of Colombia, a historic debut for Uzbekistan, and the underdog story of DR Congo.
Is this finally the time for Portugal's golden generation of footballers to get the job done? Back in the 2022 World Cup, Portugal was knocked out in the quarter-finals by Morocco, 1-0. We all saw images of Cristiano Ronaldo returning to the locker room, his face in his hands, crying. Many thought that was the end for him at the World Cup. But it wasn't. The 41-year-old is back for his sixth World Cup appearance.
Head Coach Roberto Martínez might have assembled one of, if not the deepest, squad Portugal has ever had at the World Cup. There's the perfect balance of veterans and young stars.
Ronaldo is always the headliner for Portugal. He has 143 goals in 227 appearances for his country. He's won on the international stage with his country, securing EURO 2016 and the 2018-19 and 2024-25 UEFA Nations League titles. He's won at every level of football and has one trophy missing from his cabinet: the World Cup.
With Al Nassr this year, he scored 28 goals in 30 appearances, totaling 2,610 minutes played in the Saudi Pro League. He and João Félix helped lead Al-Nassr to the Saudi Pro League title.
Portugal won't be relying on Ronaldo to carry matches, which he could still possibly do, but all they need him to do is finish chances.
Portugal's midfield is arguably the best in the entire tournament. With ballers like Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, João Neves, and Bernardo Silva, the midfield is a staple of the squad. Everything will run through it, and it will control all aspects of every match.
Fernandes was named Premier League Player of the Season for 2025-26 after recording nine goals and 21 assists in 35 matches for Manchester United. He now holds the all-time Premier League record for the most assists in a single season.
Fernandes is the playmaker for the squad and probably the most important player now. All creativity will flow through him. He can press, create set chances, and also deliver set pieces.
Vitinha and João Neves are coming off back-to-back Champions League-winning seasons with PSG. Both are quietly becoming two of the best midfielders in the world, especially Vitinha. He dictates matches through possession and positioning. He's relentless on the press and is an all-around balanced midfielder.
Rafael Leão is also another threat in attack alongside Ronaldo. He's explosive, which benefits Ronaldo. Pace, dribbling, and 1v1 ability make him an attacking threat at all times.
Portugal has world-class talent at each position. They should walk away from Group K at the top and make a push to the semifinals. The biggest question they always face is sustainability over the course of tournaments, but this might be Ronaldo's last dance. They have to get the job done now.
Colombia is back in the World Cup after missing the 2022 tournament. They finished third in CONMEBOL qualifying, behind Argentina and Ecuador. Head Coach Néstor Lorenzo has helped establish Colombia back to where they deserve to be in world football.
Colombia's identity is built around quality in the midfield, and that midfield is still highlighted by James Rodríguez. This will be Rodríguez's third appearance at the World Cup for his country.
He hasn't had the prettiest of seasons in recent years and has been hanging on by a thread, bouncing around among multiple clubs in different countries. He has 31 goals in 125 appearances for Colombia and remains a staple in the squad.
Rodríguez remains one of the best playmakers and chance creators in world football, and he'll be able to display that here at the World Cup. If he performs well and Colombia makes a push, there won't be any surprises if big-name clubs come calling back for the 34-year-old.
Colombia doesn't have a proven striker, but they have Luis Díaz, one of the most dangerous wingers on the planet. Díaz joined Bayern München last July from Liverpool and scored 26 goals in 51 appearances. With Liverpool from January 2022 to July 2025, he scored 41 goals in 148 appearances. He won both domestic leagues with both clubs.
Díaz is Colombia's biggest weapon for this World Cup. His play with Bayern this past year shows why. He's an elite dribbler who attacks plays directly and can finish. He creates chances out of nothing and then executes. He's everything you want out of a winger, and he's going to be relied upon so much.
Daniel Muñoz is also critical to Colombia's system. He's an attacking fullback who plays with energy and is known for his high defensive work rate.
Colombia is another one of those countries that can be a dark horse. They made it all the way to the final of the 2024 Copa América, where they lost 1-0 to Argentina. They do have enough to push Portugal for the top spot in the group. Colombia's best performance in a World Cup was in 2014, when they reached the quarterfinals. It won't be surprising to see them get there again this time around.
Colombia forward Luis Diaz (7) controls the ball against Argentina in the first half during the Copa America Final at Hard Rock Stadium.
Nathan Ray Seebeck
DR Congo is back in the World Cup for the first time since 1974. They qualified by winning the intercontinental playoff tournament by beating Jamaica. Back in 1974, they competed as Zaire.
Head Coach Sébasiten Desabre has transformed DR Congo into one of the better teams in all of Africa. DR Congo has consistently pushed the best teams in the AFCON. They are a physically imposing side, and their athleticism, combined with defensive structure, makes them a team to keep an eye on.
Yonae Wissa will be the main attacking threat for DR Congo. The Newcastle United striker scored three goals for the Magpies last season. He's a pacey forward, especially in transition. He'll be tasked with providing the goals here.
Chancel Mbemba is the squad's leader and has over 100 caps for the country. He's the cornerstone of the defense and provides leadership with aerial ability on the pitch.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is another name to watch for. The right-back is a Premier League veteran and will probably be sold by West Ham United due to being relegated to the Championship.
He's a pacey right-back who can attack and get back quickly on defense. He can also slot into the right midfield depending on tactics.
DR Congo is easily the most overlooked team in this group. There is a real chance they finish third and advance. They will cause problems for Uzbekistan and maybe even Colombia. They are also one of the sneaky countries that can end up advancing.
Uzbekistan is making its debut World Cup appearance. They qualified for the first time after finishing second in their group during the third round of the AFC qualifiers.
Uzbekistan is led by former World Cup-winning captain and Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro. Cannavaoro became the head coach of the country last October, replacing Timur Kapadze. Of course, he would lead the country to its biggest football achievement in its history.
The nation is also in its golden generation of football talent. Abbosbek Fauzullaev is just 22 years old, but has become one of the best attackers in the squad.
Eldor Shomurodov is the face of the team due to his experience and leadership. He has 29 goals in 69 appearances for Uzbekistan.
On defense, Abdukodir Khusanov is the star defender and might already be the biggest name in Uzbek football history. Khusanov plays for Manchester City in the Premier League and made 21 appearances this past season, starting in 15. He's the anchor of defense and is already a special talent.
Uzbekistan's golden generation could disrupt this group. Their first match is against Colombia. If they earn a result in that one, it could turn the group on its head. It'll be a battle for Uzbekistan, but they have the young star power to pull something off.
|
Game |
Date & Time |
Location |
TV/Streaming |
|
Portugal vs. DR Congo |
Wednesday, June 17, |
NRG Stadium, Houston |
Fox, Fox One, Peacock, Telemundo, Universo |
|
Uzbekistan vs. Colombia |
Wednesday, June 17, |
Estadio Azteca, |
FS1, Fox One, Peacock, Telemundo |
|
Game |
Date & Time |
Location |
TV/Streaming |
|
Portugal vs. Uzbekistan |
Tuesday, June 23, |
NRG Stadium, Houston |
Fox, Fox One, Peacock, Telemundo, |
|
Colombia vs. |
Tuesday, June 23, |
Estadio Akron, Guadalajara |
FS1, Fox One, Peacock, Telemundo |
|
Game |
Date & Time |
Location |
TV/Streaming |
|
Colombia vs. Portugal |
Saturday, June 27, |
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
Fox, Fox One, Peacock, Telemundo |
|
DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan |
Saturday, June 27, |
Mercedes- |
FS1, Fox One, Telemundo, Peacock, Universo, TeleXitos |
Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D
