FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K Preview: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan & DR Congo

Group K of the 2026 FIFA World Cup pairs two technically gifted European and South American powers with two historic first-timers whose qualification stories rank among the most remarkable in football. Portugal arrive as UEFA Nations League champions — having beaten Spain in the 2025 final — while Colombia come off a Copa America final appearance and a FIFA ranking of 15th. The group is tighter than the seedings suggest.

For Uzbekistan and DR Congo, simply being here is the story. Uzbekistan are playing their first World Cup as an independent nation. DR Congo — competing under the name Zaire at their only previous appearance in 1974 — return after a 52-year wait. Both teams are capable of more than making up the numbers.

Group K at a Glance

Portugal — Nations League Champions in Form

Manager Roberto Martínez has built something quietly impressive since taking over in 2023: a Portugal side that doesn’t rely on a single superstar but instead functions as a coordinated tactical unit. Their Nations League title — a 2-1 win over Spain in the Lisbon final — was the competitive proof of concept. Bruno Fernandes has emerged as the fulcrum in midfield, with Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leão providing the creativity. Portugal averaged over 70% possession in qualifying with 20 goals across six matches.

Projected xG per match:

• vs. Uzbekistan (June 17): 2.8 scored / 0.5 conceded
• vs. Colombia (June 23): 1.7 scored / 1.5 conceded
• vs. DR Congo (June 27): 2.6 scored / 0.6 conceded

Colombia — South America's Dark Horse

Colombia’s Copa America 2024 run to the final — where they lost to Argentina on penalties — announced them as legitimate World Cup contenders. Under Néstor Lorenzo, they play a fluid 4-3-3 with Luis Díaz’s direct dribbling as the primary attacking weapon. James Rodríguez, now 34, provides the creative spark from deep. Colombia finished third in CONMEBOL qualifying above Brazil, a result that frames their ambition perfectly. They are more than capable of winning the group.

Projected xG per match:

• vs. DR Congo (June 17): 2.4 scored / 0.8 conceded
• vs. Portugal (June 23): 1.5 scored / 1.7 conceded
• vs. Uzbekistan (June 27): 2.5 scored / 0.7 conceded

Uzbekistan — Central Asia's Debut

Abdukodir Khusanov — Manchester City's Uzbek centre-back — is the player who put Uzbek football on the global map. His composure in Pep Guardiola’s system has translated into genuine leadership of the national team’s defence. Uzbekistan qualified from the AFC third round with six wins in 10 matches, showcasing a well-organised 4-4-2 that defends deep and transitions quickly. Limiting Colombia and Portugal to single-goal wins would be considered a landmark achievement.

Projected xG per match:

• vs. Portugal (June 17): 0.5 scored / 2.7 conceded
• vs. DR Congo (June 23): 1.2 scored / 1.1 conceded
• vs. Colombia (June 27): 0.6 scored / 2.4 conceded

DR Congo — 52 Years in the Making

DR Congo return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974 (when they participated as Zaire), making this one of the most emotional comebacks in tournament history. Led by Chancel Mbemba at the back and powered by the next generation of Congolese talent from European leagues, they play an energetic 4-3-3 with high pressing intensity. Their AFCON performances showed they can compete with any African nation — and they will not come to North America simply to participate.

Projected xG per match:

• vs. Colombia (June 17): 0.8 scored / 2.3 conceded
• vs. Uzbekistan (June 23): 1.1 scored / 1.2 conceded
• vs. Portugal (June 27): 0.5 scored / 2.6 conceded

Key Match: Portugal vs. Colombia (June 23, Rose Bowl)

This could be the best pure football match of the entire group stage. Portugal’s technical midfield and positional rotations will probe Colombia’s defensive structure, while Colombia’s direct attacking play through Luis Díaz will expose Portugal in transition. A draw benefits both teams relative to the other pair, but neither side will settle for it if an early goal creates an opening. Expect an open, high-quality contest.

Model probabilities: Portugal win 44% — Draw 27% — Colombia win 29%

Qualification Prediction

FAQ

Q.Is Portugal a genuine World Cup contender without Ronaldo as the focal point?

Absolutely. Ronaldo remains in the squad as a rotation option but Roberto Martínez’s Portugal is no longer built around him. Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leão form one of Europe’s most technical attacking trios. The Nations League victory over Spain demonstrated that Portugal can beat elite opposition through collective structure — the Ronaldo-as-everything era is genuinely over, and the team is better for it.

Q.How dangerous is Luis Díaz against European opponents?

Very. Díaz’s direct dribbling, left-foot combination play, and pressing work rate make him one of the hardest wide forwards to defend in world football. His Champions League performances for Liverpool have shown he can operate at the highest level consistently. Portugal’s right-back will be the most tested player in Group K when these two sides meet.

Q.What makes Uzbekistan different from other first-time qualifiers?

Khusanov’s presence in Guardiola’s City system brings a level of tactical sophistication not typically found in debut World Cup squads. Several Uzbek players compete in European leagues, giving the squad exposure to high-pressing and positional football that will help them compete structurally. They are not merely physical — they have genuine tactical identity.

Q.Can DR Congo be the surprise team of the group?

Their energy and pressing intensity will make them uncomfortable opponents for Uzbekistan, and the Uzbekistan vs. DR Congo match on June 23 is genuinely unpredictable. Getting out of the group requires both a win there and results going their way elsewhere — difficult but not impossible. The 48-team format means more pathways, and DR Congo’s ceiling is higher than their ranking suggests.

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Sources: Wikipedia – 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K · RotoWire Group K Preview · SofaScore Group K