2026 FIFA World Cup: Group K Preview

Representing one’s nation at a World Cup is a career achievement for every player that is lucky enough to do so. But when viewing it from a perspective of scarcity, no group will have more players truly cognizant of how special the moment is than Group K.

Uzbekistan is one of four countries making their first appearance at a World Cup. The DR Congo has only participated in one prior, 52 years ago. Colombia, one of the most soccer obsessed countries in a soccer obsessed area of the world, experienced national heartbreak by being left out of the previous World Cup.

And then there is Portugal, who features one of the most recognized people on the planet, let alone in soccer. He will be taking part in his sixth World Cup, and at 41-years-old, surely his last. He has accomplished more than most players could ever dream of, but a World Cup title has eluded him.

He doesn’t need introducing by name here. But you know who he is. And if all else fails, the group is worth watching to see what he does to help (or hurt?) his squad’s chances of hoisting the trophy.

The Teams

Colombia

Best Case Scenario

The soccer-mad nation is making a return to the world’s biggest stage after having missed the 2022 World Cup. There has been a lot of roster turnover since the majority of the world last paid much attention to Colombia, and with the team relying heavily on an aggressive attacking style and set piece goals, it could be a feast or famine experience.

For a feast, lots of players will need to get in on the goalscoring action, including Daniel Muñoz in his expected wingback position. The Colombians have impressed when playing against South American competition leading up to the World Cup, though to be a tournament darling it will be necessary to get results against Europe’s best as well. Muñoz and Luis Díaz playing at a very high level in Europe does provide hope that Colombia can be a factor later in the knockout rounds.

Realistic Expectation

Colombia has the potential to be one of the most fun nations to watch in this tournament, as their success has been somewhat dependent on the ability to put the ball into the back of the net multiple times per match.

The group stage matchups should provide an opportunity for Colombia’s attacking playmakers to thrive, but a runner-up position is the likely best-case landing spot having the contend with the likes of Portugal. European teams have been able to thwart Colombia recently and may do so again in the first knockout round.

DR Congo

Best Case Scenario

The Leopards were already considered unlikely to make the World Cup when they entered the intercontinental playoff against Jamaicia, so being given little shot to play more than its three group stage matches won’t bother DR Congo.

This squad doesn’t tend to score goals in bunches but does offer attacking potential, with Premier League participants Yoane Wissa (Newscastle United), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United) featuring in a lineup that is surprisingly peppered with players that play their club football in Europe. This group is daunting, but DR Congo would be breaking the mold by scoring a single goal in the group stage, something that feels like a pretty low bar for what this team has to offer. They’ll be more competitive than a lot of people think.

Realistic Expectation

This squad is likely to be outclassed by Portugal, but against the other two sides there is the potential to get a result on the right day.

DR Congo may be seen as one of the nations that should just enjoy their time on the world’s biggest stage, but a competitive 90 minutes in two out of the three matches in the group stage should be expected.

Portugal

Best Case Scenario

This is a team capable of hoisting the trophy. Though not as popular a choice as other favorites, Portugal is similarly talented to the other suspects and has recent success (2025 UEFA Nations League crown) to suggest it is capable of handling the pressure that will ultimately be felt at some point during the World Cup.

The midfield group is particularly loaded, with the previously Manchester based trio of Matheus Nunes, Bernando Silva and Bruno Fernandez along with the Paris based duo of João Neves and Vitinha comprising a quintet that is unmatched globally. If Portugal is able to get production up front from the 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo (oddly in a position of being a potential question mark for his squad for the first time at a World Cup), this team will be incredibly dangerous.

Realistic Expectation

The advantage that Portugal has in the midfield when compared to just about every other country in the tournament is what sets this team apart from the rest. They should go about their business without much fan fare in the group stage, and a potential matchup with defending champion Argentina in the quarterfinals feels like the first real test for this squad.

Cristiano Ronaldo isn’t alone up front, and acknowledging this while pulling the right strings with less accomplished forwards will be the mark of whether Roberto Martínez has served this team well. Martínez guided Belgium to good times previously (including two World Cups) but ended up with nothing to show for it. Around The Corn feels that 2026 is when that will change for him, and when Portugal will win its first World Cup.

Uzbekistan

Best Case Scenario

The former Soviet country is the most likely tournament debutante to give the heavy hitters trouble. Part of this has to do with facing two of them during group stage play, but part of it has to do with the team itself, which has established an identity as a disciplined defensive squad that along with South Korea allowed the fewest goals during AFC qualification.

We’ll find out quickly whether this team is in over its head when it takes on Colombia in matchday one. Any result in that match would make things very interesting in matchday three, where Uzbekistan could be favored to win. Team captain and living legend Eldor Shomurodov, who is the country’s all-time leading goal scorer, would have his best opportunity to play the possession based style he prefers in the final group stage match.

Realistic Expectation

Qualifying for the World Cup has been a long time coming for this federation, which has come close a couple of times prior to this cycle and isn’t going to enter the tournament just happy to be playing.

The group is tough and will require Fabio Cannavaro’s squad to execute its gameplans nearly perfectly to have a chance to grind out results, but there is a better likelihood that this first-time World Cup participant survives the group stage than with the others like it.

Matches to Watch

Uzbekistan vs. Colombia (June 17 – 10 PM ET)

The tactical style of Uzbekistan could be a problem for Colombia, which would prefer to play open, free flowing football but will have difficulty doing so against a squad that likes to control possession itself.

Colombia vs. Portugal (June 27 – 7:30 PM ET)

One of the most anticipated matches of the entire group stage. Portugal’s defense is good enough to slow down Colombia’s attack, but if the Colombians are the ones desperate for a result then this one could get wild.

Predictions (Bold Advance to Knockout Stage)

1. Portugal

2. Colombia

3. Uzbekistan

4. DR Congo