Group K is the group that ends with the most anticipated fixture of the entire group stage: Portugal versus Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on June 27. Both are capable of topping the group. Both can lose to each other. The group also includes DR Congo, one of African football's most underrated stories, and Uzbekistan, who are at their first World Cup. The path to the Round of 32 is clear for two of these teams. Working out which two is the challenge.
Portugal: a team in transition, still dangerous
Portugal's World Cup 2026 squad looks different from the one that reached the last 16 in Qatar. The biggest shift is at the top: Cristiano Ronaldo, now 41, has not been included in the squad. It is the first Portugal World Cup without him since 2002, and the absence gives manager Roberto Martínez the freedom and the obligation to build something new. Diogo Jota leads the line, Rafael Leão plays from the left, and Bruno Fernandes pulls the strings in midfield with his usual mix of brilliance and occasional frustration.
The defence is more settled than it looks on paper. Rúben Dias remains one of the best centre-backs in the world. João Cancelo at right back is still a threat going forward. Goalkeeper Diogo Costa has been excellent all season at Porto. The question is whether Jota can carry the goal-scoring burden that Ronaldo always shouldered. His Premier League record says he can. His injury history says he might not last 90 minutes in three matches in ten days.
Colombia: the Copa América momentum
Colombia arrive at their first World Cup since 2018 carrying the confidence of a Copa América campaign that came within a penalty shootout of winning the title. Luis Díaz has been the best South American winger in club football for the past 18 months. James Rodríguez, now 34, makes a surprise return to the squad as a second-string option behind Díaz and Cuadrado. The real story is the spine: Dávinson Sánchez and Jhon Lucumí at centre-back, Matheus Uribe screening the back four, Richard Ríos as the progressive eight.
Colombia beat Portugal in a friendly in March 2025, a result that means the Matchday 3 showdown has a psychological dimension beyond the points on offer. The Colombian Football Federation has been among the best-run in CONMEBOL for three years and the team reflects it. They are the most complete South American qualifier in this tournament outside Argentina and Brazil.
DR Congo: Africa's most watchable squad
The Democratic Republic of Congo reached their third World Cup (previously Zaïre, 1974) by winning AFCON qualification ahead of Egypt and Nigeria in a competitive group. Manager Sébastien Desabre has built a high-energy 4-3-3 around Cédric Bakambu, who plays in Saudi Arabia but was Africa's top scorer in qualifying with eleven goals. Arthur Masuaku, the Besiktas left-back, drives forward relentlessly. Yoane Wissa, who had 16 Premier League goals for Brentford last season, plays as the right forward.
On another day in another group, DR Congo could qualify. Their problem is the sequencing: opening against Portugal means they start against the group's best team before having a chance to build momentum. If they can limit Portugal on Matchday 1 and beat Uzbekistan on Matchday 2, the Matchday 3 fixture against Uzbekistan becomes a must-win that they are equipped to handle.
Uzbekistan: Central Asia's World Cup debutants
Uzbekistan qualified from the AFC's third round, finishing second behind Japan in a group that also contained Australia and Saudi Arabia. It is their first World Cup. The squad is young — average age 24.8 — and built primarily around players in the UzPFL with a handful of Slavia Prague and Israeli league-based players mixed in. Eldor Shomurodov is the only player most European fans will recognise, and his Cagliari spell last season yielded just four league goals.
Uzbekistan are here for the experience, but they are not passive. Their qualification showed an ability to defend compactly and counter with pace. They will not be easy opponents for anyone, and a draw against DR Congo or Colombia on Matchday 3 is not unthinkable.
Predicted finishing order
- 1st — Portugal (6 points). Two wins in the first two games, then a competitive draw or narrow loss to Colombia on Matchday 3 after already qualifying.
- 2nd — Colombia (6 points). Three wins is ambitious given the Portugal fixture; more likely six points and a trip to the Round of 32 as group runners-up.
- 3rd — DR Congo (3 points). A win against Uzbekistan plus a draw against Colombia keeps their tournament alive via the best-thirds route.
- 4th — Uzbekistan (0 points). A historic World Cup appearance regardless.
FAQ
When does Portugal play in Group K? June 17 vs DR Congo at NRG Stadium in Houston, June 23 vs Uzbekistan at NRG Stadium in Houston, and June 27 vs Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. Follow live scores at Scorelisto's soccer page.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2026 World Cup? No. Ronaldo was not included in Portugal's 26-man squad for 2026, ending his run of five consecutive World Cups. Diogo Jota leads the attack.
Is Colombia a dark horse to win Group K? Colombia are co-favourites with Portugal to top the group. They beat Portugal in a 2025 friendly and have one of the tournament's most dynamic wingers in Luis Díaz.
What are DR Congo's chances of qualifying? Slim but real. A best-third-place finish is achievable if they beat Uzbekistan and limit their defeats against Portugal and Colombia. For the full Group K picture, see all our World Cup 2026 posts on the Scorelisto blog.