2026 FIFA World Cup Group K: Schedule, Standings & Prediction
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K brings together four teams with vastly different stories. Portugal arrive as UEFA Nations League champions with Cristiano Ronaldo seeking the one trophy that has eluded him at 41 years old. Colombia return after missing the 2022 tournament, led by a golden generation and a James Rodriguez who still believes he has one more World Cup run left.
Uzbekistan make their debut as an independent nation, guided by 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro. DR Congo end a 52-year absence, returning to the World Cup under their current name for the first time after qualifying as the last of 48 teams on March 31.
Group K carries emotional weight. Portugal play their first major tournament without Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in Spain in July 2025 at 28. Ronaldo missed the March friendlies with a hamstring injury but is expected to lead in June. Without him, Portugal drew 0-0 with Mexico and beat the USA 2-0. Colombia lost to both Croatia and France in March, raising concerns about their defensive shape under Nestor Lorenzo.
The top two teams advance to the Round of 32. Portugal vs Colombia on June 27 in Miami is the group decider. The winner of Group K faces the best third-place team from Groups D, E, I, J or L. The runner-up faces the Group L runner-up.
2026 FIFA World Cup Group K Teams
| Team | Confederation | FIFA Rank (Apr 2026) | WC Appearances | Pot |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | UEFA | #5 | 9th | 1 |
| Colombia | CONMEBOL | #13 | 7th | 2 |
| Uzbekistan | AFC | #50 | 1st (debut) | 3 |
| DR Congo | CAF | #46 | 2nd | 4 |
Group K Match Schedule 2026
All times are Eastern Time (ET). FOX and FS1 broadcast in English. Telemundo and Universo cover Spanish broadcasts. All matches stream on Peacock.
Matchday 1 (Friday, June 17)
| Match | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal vs DR Congo | 1:00 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| Uzbekistan vs Colombia | 10:00 PM | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
Matchday 2 (Tuesday, June 23)
| Match | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal vs Uzbekistan | 1:00 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| Colombia vs DR Congo | 10:00 PM | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico |
Matchday 3 (Saturday, June 27)
Both Matchday 3 games kick off simultaneously at 7:30 PM ET on June 27. Colombia vs Portugal in Miami decides who wins Group K.
| Match | Time (ET) | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Colombia vs Portugal | 7:30 PM | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL |
| DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | 7:30 PM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA |
Group K Standings
Standings update after June 17, 2026.
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Colombia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | Uzbekistan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | DR Congo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
- Top 2 teams advance to the Round of 32
- Best 8 third-place teams across all 12 groups also advance
- 4 points is close to guaranteed third-place advancement; 3 points requires a strong goal difference
Tiebreaker order: Goal difference > Goals scored > Head-to-head points > Head-to-head goal difference > Head-to-head goals scored > Fair play score > FIFA ranking
Venue Guide: Where Group K Matches Are Played
| Match | Stadium | City | Capacity | Key Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal vs DR Congo | NRG Stadium | Houston, TX | 72,220 | Hosts two Group K matches; indoor retractable roof |
| Uzbekistan vs Colombia | Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | 87,523 | Reopened March 2026 after renovation |
| Portugal vs Uzbekistan | NRG Stadium | Houston, TX | 72,220 | Same venue as MD1 Portugal match |
| Colombia vs DR Congo | Estadio Akron | Guadalajara, Mexico | 48,071 | Smallest Group K venue |
| Colombia vs Portugal | Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, FL | 65,000 | Group K decider; WC capacity |
| DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, GA | 75,000 | Indoor climate-controlled venue |
Portugal play both Matchday 1 and Matchday 2 at NRG Stadium in Houston. The group decider takes place at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Uzbekistan’s opening match is at the iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
How to Watch Group K Matches
| Country | TV Channel | Streaming |
|---|---|---|
| USA | FOX, FS1, Telemundo, Universo | Peacock, FOX Sports App |
| UK | ITV, BBC | ITVX, BBC iPlayer |
| Canada | CTV, TSN, RDS | TSN+, CTV GO |
| Australia | SBS | SBS On Demand |
| Portugal | RTP, SIC, Sport TV | RTP Play |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, ESPN | Star+, ESPN Play |
| Uzbekistan | Uzreport, Uzbek TV | UzReport TV |
| DR Congo | RTNC, Canal+ Afrique | Canal+ Live |
| Mexico | Televisa, TV Azteca, TUDN | ViX |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF | ARD and ZDF free to air |
Fans in other countries can check the full global broadcaster list at 2026 FIFA World Cup TV channels and broadcasting rights.
Group K Team Analysis and Preview
Portugal
Manager: Roberto Martinez (since January 2023)
Martinez won the 2025 UEFA Nations League with Portugal, beating Spain 5-3 on penalties in the final. He qualified them top of UEFA Group F with a 9-1 win over Armenia. Ronaldo (41) missed the March friendlies with a hamstring injury but is expected to return. Without him, Portugal drew 0-0 with Mexico and beat the USA 2-0, with Trincao and Joao Felix scoring. The squad includes Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Joao Neves.
Key players: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr, 41, 143 international goals, 226 caps), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Vitinha (PSG), Joao Neves (PSG), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Diogo Costa (GK, Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Nuno Mendes (PSG). Notable: Portugal play this tournament without Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in Spain in July 2025 at 28 alongside his brother. The entire Portuguese squad wore black armbands at matches following his death.
World Cup record: 9 appearances. Best finish: Third place (1966), led by Eusebio who won the Golden Boot with 9 goals.
Last appearance: 2022. Reached quarter-finals before losing 1-0 to Morocco.
Colombia
Manager: Nestor Lorenzo (since June 2022)
Lorenzo guided Colombia to a 28-match unbeaten run and the 2024 Copa America final before losing to Argentina. They qualified third in CONMEBOL and missed 2022. In March 2026 they lost 1-2 to Croatia and 1-3 to France, raising defensive concerns. James Rodriguez (34, Minnesota United) remains captain and central playmaker. Luis Diaz is their most dangerous attacker.
Key players: James Rodriguez (Minnesota United, captain, 34), Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich), Richard Rios (Benfica), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace), Jhon Arias (Wolverhampton), Davinson Sanchez (CB), Camilo Vargas (GK).
World Cup record: 7 appearances (1962, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2014, 2018, 2026). Did not qualify for 2022.
Best finish: Quarter-finals (2014). James Rodriguez won the Golden Boot with 6 goals.
Uzbekistan
Manager: Fabio Cannavaro (since 2024)
Cannavaro won the 2006 World Cup as Italy captain and won the Ballon d’Or that year. He now leads Uzbekistan at their first-ever World Cup. They are the first Central Asian team to qualify. Uzbekistan qualified second in AFC Group A with 6 wins from 10. Their squad is built around defensive solidity, with Manchester City centre-back Abdukodir Khusanov as the standout player.
Key players: Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City, CB), Eldor Shomurodov (Cagliari, striker). Most of the squad plays in the Uzbek domestic league for clubs like Pakhtakor.
World Cup record: 1st appearance. First-ever World Cup debut as an independent nation.
Notable: Previously part of the Soviet Union, which appeared at World Cups. Uzbekistan became the first Central Asian nation to qualify for the World Cup.
DR Congo
Manager: Sebastien Desabre (since August 2022)
Desabre is a French coach who built a disciplined counter-attacking side. DR Congo qualified last of 48 teams, beating Nigeria on penalties in the CAF playoff final before defeating Jamaica 1-0 AET in the intercontinental playoff on March 31. Tuanzebe (Burnley) scored in the 100th minute. They waited 52 years to return. Their only previous appearance was in 1974 as Zaire, when they lost all three matches.
Key players: Chancel Mbemba (Lille, captain, CB), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle, striker), Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis, 34), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland).
World Cup record: 2nd appearance overall. First under current name DR Congo. Previously appeared as Zaire in 1974.
Qualification: Beat Cameroon (CAF semi-final), Nigeria on penalties (CAF final), then Jamaica 1-0 AET in the intercontinental playoff.
Head-to-Head Records
| Matchup | Previous Meetings | World Cup H2H |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal vs DR Congo | Never met | 0 |
| Portugal vs Uzbekistan | Never met | 0 |
| Colombia vs DR Congo | Never met | 0 |
| Colombia vs Uzbekistan | Never met | 0 |
| Portugal vs Colombia | Several meetings, Portugal lead | 0 |
| DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | Never met | 0 |
Four of six Group K matchups are first-ever meetings. Portugal vs DR Congo, Portugal vs Uzbekistan, Colombia vs DR Congo, Colombia vs Uzbekistan and DR Congo vs Uzbekistan are all first encounters. None of the Group K teams have met at a World Cup.
Why Group K is Interesting
- Ronaldo, at 41, enters what is almost certainly his sixth and final World Cup. The World Cup title is the only major trophy missing from his career. He holds the record for most international goals (143) and most caps in men’s football (226)
- Portugal play their first major tournament since the death of Diogo Jota, who died in a car crash in July 2025 at 28 alongside his brother. The entire Portuguese squad wore black armbands at matches following his death
- Martinez must decide how to use Ronaldo across a full tournament at 41 without burning him out. His March absence showed Portugal can win without him, but also that they lack his threat in front of goal
- Colombia reached the 2024 Copa America final and had a 28-match unbeaten run. They are dangerous but lost to Croatia and France in March and need to fix their defence before June
- Uzbekistan become the first Central Asian nation at a World Cup. Fabio Cannavaro, who lifted the World Cup trophy as Italy captain in 2006, now tries to inspire a debut nation 20 years on
- DR Congo ended a 52-year wait with one of the most emotional qualifying runs of any nation. Tuanzebe’s 100th-minute winner against Jamaica sent an entire country into the streets celebrating
- Portugal vs Colombia on June 27 in Miami is one of the group-stage matches of the tournament. Ronaldo vs Luis Diaz, Martinez vs Lorenzo, two teams with genuine knockout ambitions
2026 World Cup Group K Predictions
- Matchday 1: Portugal 3-0 DR Congo. Colombia 2-1 Uzbekistan.
- Matchday 2: Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan. Colombia 2-0 DR Congo.
- Matchday 3: Colombia 1-2 Portugal. DR Congo 1-1 Uzbekistan.
Our Final Predicted Standings
| Pos | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | +7 | 9 | Advance |
| 2 | Colombia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 3 | +2 | 6 | Advance |
| 3 | Uzbekistan | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 1 | Eliminated |
| 4 | DR Congo | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | -6 | 1 | Eliminated |
Portugal win the group with a perfect nine points. Colombia advance in second despite losing the Matchday 3 decider. Uzbekistan vs DR Congo on June 27 is the battle for third place and a potential best third-place advancement.
- 6 points: almost certain advancement
- 4 points: strong chance with good goal difference
- 1-2 points: very unlikely to advance as one of the eight best third-place teams
Group K Road to the Round of 32
| Finish | Next Match | Date | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Round of 32 | TBD | Best 3rd place from Groups D/E/I/J/L |
| 2nd | Round of 32 | TBD | Group L runner-up |
The Group K winner faces the best third-place team from Groups D, E, I, J or L. The runner-up faces the Group L runner-up. Group L consists of England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama.
2026 FIFA World Cup Group K FAQs
Who is in Group K at the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Group K consists of Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan and DR Congo.
When does Group K start?
Group K opens on Friday, June 17, 2026. Portugal face DR Congo at 1:00 PM ET at NRG Stadium in Houston. Uzbekistan face Colombia at 10:00 PM ET at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo play at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Ronaldo is expected to lead Portugal at 41. He missed the March friendlies with a hamstring injury sustained on February 28 while playing for Al-Nassr, but Portugal coach Roberto Martinez confirmed the injury was not serious and that Ronaldo will be in the squad for the tournament.
Is this Uzbekistan’s first World Cup?
Yes. The 2026 World Cup is Uzbekistan’s first-ever appearance as an independent nation. They are the first Central Asian team to qualify. Uzbekistan qualified second in their AFC group, finishing behind Iran.
What is DR Congo’s World Cup history?
DR Congo are making their second World Cup appearance and their first under their current name. Their only previous World Cup came in 1974 when the country was called Zaire. They lost all three matches, conceded 14 goals and scored none. The 52-year wait ended on March 31, 2026, when Axel Tuanzebe scored in the 100th minute to beat Jamaica 1-0 in the intercontinental playoff.
What is Portugal’s best World Cup result?
Portugal’s best World Cup finish is third place in 1966. Eusebio was the top scorer with nine goals. Portugal also finished fourth in 2006, losing to France in the semi-finals and then to Germany in the third-place match.
Who manages Uzbekistan at the 2026 World Cup?
Uzbekistan are managed by Fabio Cannavaro, the Italian defender who won the 2006 World Cup as Italy captain and took the Ballon d’Or that same year. He is one of only three defenders ever to win the award.
Group K runs June 17 to June 27. Portugal are heavy favorites. Colombia are the main challengers. Check back after each matchday for updated standings and results.
