Portugal look shoo-ins for a spot in the knockout rounds, but which of the three other nations in Group K will likely join them?
Well, on paper, Colombia look the nation best-equipped, but could there be a seismic shock in store, with DR Congo or even Uzbekistan advancing?
Thankfully, we don't have to wait too long to find out how things play out.
Before then however, join us as we take a look at all things Group K...
Teams
- Portugal
- DR Congo
- Uzbekistan
- Colombia
Fixtures
Date | Fixture | Kick-off (BST) | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|
17th June | Portugal v DR Congo | 18:00 | Houston Stadium |
18th June | Uzbekistan v Colombia | 03:00 | Mexico City Stadium |
23rd June | Portugal v Uzbekistan | 18:00 | Houston Stadium |
24th June | Colombia v DR Congo | 03:00 | Estadio Akron |
28th June | Colombia v Portugal | 12:30 | Miami Stadium |
28th June | DR Congo v Uzbekistan | 12:30 | Atlanta Stadium |
Portugal
Portugal are amongst the favourites to go the full distance and taste World Cup glory for the first time this summer.
Boasting undoubtedly one of the most talented squads in the competition, they also possess relatively recent winning pedigree having reigned supreme at the European Championships a decade ago.
Cristiano Ronaldo spearheads their charge for glory across the Atlantic, but the big question is whether their big-name attraction will serve to help or hinder his nation's hopes of silverware.
Manager
Roberto Martinez
Having stood on the brink of losing his job as boss of Portugal 12 months ago, Roberto Martinez is now looking forward to leading the side's charge for World Cup domination.
Victory at the UEFA Nations League in 2025 earned him a stay of execution and he has since overseen a comfortable qualification campaign, one which he, and his players hope, will be followed up by even more success in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The Spaniard boasts a vastly experienced CV, having managed in the Premier League with Wigan Athletic and Everton, whilst more recently testing his hand on the international stage with Belgium, prior to his appointment as Portugal boss three years ago.
Key Player
Cristiano Ronaldo
Make no mistake about it, Cristiano Ronaldo will remain Portugal's key man for however long he decides to represent his nation.
At 41, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid man is featuring in a record sixth World Cup, and how poignant it would be if he could sign off by capturing the long sought after title for the first time.
For all of his achievements in the game and endless records set, Ronaldo has yet to score in a knockout fixture on this stage; how he'd love to change that in the coming weeks.
Breakout player
Goncalo Inacio
A prime candidate to line-up alongside Ruben Dias at the heart of the Portugal backline, Goncalo Inacio appears destined for a career at the very highest level of the game.
Despite being second choice at full-back during his rise through the national team's youth levels, the Sporting CP man has flourished in a more central role and has become a pillar for his club in the Portuguese Primera League.
Experience at Euro 2024 will undoubtedly have benefited his game and now he will be desperate to flex his muscle and showcase his talents on the grandest stage of them all.
Odds
DR Congo
To say DR Congo have had to take the long road to the 2026 World Cup would be something of an understatement.
The Leopards have a first taste of the World Cup in over half a century to look forward to this year and my word, it has been well-earned.
Having finished second in their long-winded qualification group, the African side were then forced to participate in a mini-tournament in Morocco, where they went on to stun both Cameroon and Nigeria to seal their tournament debut.
Little is expected of DR Congo across the pond, but they have already proven that they shouldn't be written off.
Manager
Sebastien Desabre
Irrespective of what pans out over the next month or so, Sebastien Desabre's name will forever be etched into DR Congo footballing folklore.
The French tactician has succeeded where so many before him had failed, in ending the country's long wait for another crack at the World Cup.
An unexpected run to the semi-finals of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations set the wheels in motion for their charge to the United States, and now the well-travelled 49-year-old can look forward to testing his hand at the biggest tournament of them all.
Key player
Chancel Mbemba
The experienced Chancel Mbemba has been bestowed the honour of captaining DR Congo on their return to the World Cup and the 31-year-old will be keen to showcase his credentials as he attempts to secure one final lucrative move.
The former Newcastle United man is on the hunt for a new club this summer following a couple of seasons as a peripheral figure at Marseille and Lille.
Still, he remains a more than capable operator and will hope play a pivotal role in DR Congo's upcoming fortunes, both on the field and off of it.
Breakout player
Noah Sadiki
Belgian-born Noah Sadiki is the standout star coming through his nation's ranks.
Signed by Sunderland for £15 million last summer, the dynamic midfielder proved a revelation in the North East, playing a starring role in the Black Cats successful chase for a European spot.
DR Congo will put a big emphasis on keeping thins tight across their three group encounters, and hope that Sadiki, amongst others, can inject a spark of magic at the opposite end of the field.
Odds
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan are one of a number of World Cup debutants this year and are the big outsiders to secure qualification from Group K.
Qualification came at relative ease for a nation who had struggled to sustain any real momentum in the past, even if they were dealt a hammer-blow when well-respected boss Srecko Katanec was forced to call time on his successful spell in charge on health grounds.
Replacement Timur Kapadze continued from where his predecessor left off though, sealing a spot at the FIFA showpiece, although the powers that be wanted a more continental flavour and opted to replace him with Italian icon Fabio Cannavaro.
Manager
Fabio Cannavaro
Italy's World Cup winning captain of 2006 returns to the fabled stage some two decades on from leading his nation to the title in Germany.
The legendary central defender only took over the reins on Uzbekistan last October and has provided plenty of positivity within his group, as proven by their recent victory against Egypt and narrow 2-1 loss to the Netherlands.
He knows that he will come under scrutiny should the Asian qualifiers fail to at least compete in the group stage though, especially given the somewhat controversial circumstances surrounding his appointment.
Key player
Eldor Shomurodov
A veteran for Uzbekistan, Eldor Shomurodov offers a genuine goalscoring threat at the top end of the field.
Having scored 44 times in 92 international appearances ahead of the World Cup, the 30-year-old will be desperate to further showcase his scoring credentials at his first World Cup.
A giant of a man in both size and stature, Shomurodov bagged 23 times on loan as Istanbul Basaksehir last term, having previously struggled to find his form in Italy with Genoa and Roma.
Breakout player
Abdukodir Khusanov
Abdukodir Khusanov provides real star quality in what is an, in truth, a relatively average Uzbekistan side.
The 26-time capped international made 37 appearances for Manchester City in his first full campaign at the Etihad Stadium last term, helping the Premier League club to the domestic FA Cup and EFL Cup double.
With silverware on the international stage incredibly difficult to come by, he will be hoping to utilise his top-level credentials to help spur on the rest of the side as they attempt to defy the odds and advance from the group.
Odds
Colombia
Colombia will be keen to make up for lost time after suffering the anguish of having to sit out Qatar 2022.
Their failure to qualify for the Middle East-staged event came as a real shock, but the South American side are back where many feel they belong, and they certainly won't be there simply to make up the numbers.
They finished third in CONMEBOL qualifying, having been narrowly been beaten by reigning World Cup title-holders Argentina in the final of the 2024 Copa America.
One of the most attack-minded sides heading to the United States, Canada and Mexico, they scored 28 goals in qualification and should provide plenty of entertainment when they get their campaign underway this month.
Manager
Nestor Lorenzo
Nestor Lorenzon has certainly worked his apprenticeship in a bid to manage at the World Cup.
Having served as assistant boss for Argentina and Colombia, as well as a plethora of South American domestic teams throughout his career, the 60-year-old is now proving his credentials in the top job.
Triumphing in 28 of his 46 fixtures in charge to date, his near 62 percent win ratio is hugely impressive, and it would come as no surprise to see him further improve upon that during what will be his first venture into management at FIFA's showpiece.
Key player
Luis Diaz
Former Liverpool star Luis Diaz is one of a handful of Colombian attackers hoping to light up the World Cup this summer.
Along with 2014 top goalscorer James Rodriguez and Sporting CP hit-man Luis Suarez, Diaz features as part of a Colombian front line that packs a real punch.
The Bayern Munich star was his country's leading marksman in qualifying, with seven goals, and has been in sensational form for the Bundesliga champions, netting 26 times and providing 19 assists in what was a hugely profitable first season in Bavaria.
Breakout player
Jhon Duran
It's hard to believe that Jhon Duran is just 22 years of age.
The technically gifted and fleet-footed attacker will be familiar to Premier League viewers for his time with Aston Villa, whilst he currently stars for Al-Nassr, for whom he signed for a fee in excess of £64 million 18 months ago.
Supremely talented and able to change the game in an instant, Duran should relish the chance to shine on the World Cup stage, knowing that if he does a move to a European heavyweight could well be on the cards.
Odds
Odds displayed in the above article were correct at time of writing and are subject to change or withdrawal at any time.
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