FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K: Hopefuls Portugal up against Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan

Cristiano Ronaldo's sixth - and likely last - attempt to win the World Cup with Portugal sees the Selecao take on Colombia, Congo DR and Uzbekistan in a Group K line-up which should prove a cakewalk for the two-time semi-finalists.

Roberto Martinez's side boast arguably one of the strongest squads in the entire tournament, so this pool should all about who comes in second and third behind the big favourites. Read on for my FIFA World Cup Group K predictions, team-by-team previews and Betfred’s latest odds.

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Portugal

FIFA world ranking: 5

To win the group: 2/5

The reigning UEFA Nations League champions represent Martinez's fifth assault at a major finals tournament, but his 2018 World Cup semi-final appearance with Belgium have been followed since by Euro quarter-final exits with both the Red Devils and Portugal, and a desperately disappointing group-stage exit from Qatar 2022 which ended his first dig at international management.

This summer feels like a pivotal moment in the head coach's career, while one of the greatest talents of this generation will find out if he will be remembered as a world champion or not.

But beyond Ronaldo, there are plenty of matchwinners in this squad, and this group should be absolutely no issue for them. It is in the latter stages that Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva et al will be expected to peak in the pursuit of global glory.

Key player: Bruno Fernandes

Yes, yes. I haven't picked THAT guy.

But in Bruno Fernandes, Portugal have a man who has just been named the Footballer of the Year in England having assisted 20 goals in Manchester United's return to relevance in the Premier League.

At 31, he is arguably at the peak of his career and his form at Old Trafford suggests as much. If he can maintain those levels in this star-studded squad, then there's every chance Portugal are still in with a shout going into the final week of the tournament.

Prediction: The Selecao should benefit from a kind draw until the quarter-final. If they top their group, they'll be up against a third-place side in the first knockout game and the only pool winners they could meet in the Round of 16 will come from a very soft Group B. So a potential clash with Argentina in the last eight offers their first meaningful obstacle.

The big question is whether they will have the mentality to show up in consecutive big fixtures at the business end of the competition. Personally, I don't see them going all the way.

Football Odds

Colombia

FIFA world ranking: 13

To win the group: 11/4

A World Cup finalist as a player with Argentina in 1990, Nestor Lorenzo gets his first chance at the tournament as a coach with Colombia having done fantastic things so far with la Seleccion.

Off the back of a 28-game unbeaten run, the former defender has already led Colombia to their first Copa America final since 2002 and now they are back on the big stage after missing out on Qatar 2022.

They maintain some big names such as James Rodriguez and Juan Cuadrado, but their ambitions may rely on the likes of Jefferson Lerma and Luis Diaz performing in a huge way come the knockout rounds.

Key player: Luis Diaz

After a career-high 26 goals in his first season with Bayern Munich, Diaz should be coming into the World Cup with a shed load of confidence. The 29-year-old has spent much of his spells at Liverpool and Bayern being overshadowed by more famous teammates, but he is arguably the most effective Colombian footballer of the present era.

If he can carry his 2025/26 form into the finals, there's every chance he can inspire his compatriots to fight above their weight and go beyond simply qualifying for knockout football.

Prediction: While it is more difficult than ever to plot a route through the competition given the chaotic third-place progression permutations, a runner-up slot in Group K could put Colombia on a collision course with Spain in the Round of 16. That would be a pretty tough hurdle to overcome, but if they can rack up early wins of some size against Uzbekistan and DR Congo, there's half a chance that a draw with Portugal may soften their route from there.

World Cup Odds

Congo DR

FIFA world ranking: 46

To win the group: 8/1

Axel Tuanzebe's extra-time winner in the inter-continental play-off win over Jamaica in March provided a massive moment in the modern history of a country beset by constant conflicts since they last competed at the World Cup under the banner of Zaire back in 1974.

That appearance more than 50 years ago led to three straight losses, no goals and 14 conceded and is best remembered for defender Mwepu Ilunga's on-pitch protest against the under-payment of players when he hammered the ball away at a Brazil free-kick.

But now armed with experienced heads such as Tuanzebe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba, Noah Sadiki and Yoane Wissa, there's a very real hope that DR Congo could find themselves into that coverted list of best third-place teams at the very least.

Key player: Yoane Wissa

While his move to Newcastle United last summer has hardly gone to plan, with a cruciate ligament injury preceding indifferent form against the backdrop of a huge £50m price tag, Wissa remains an unquestionably talented forward whose performances in France and England over the past decade helped to make him a household name.

That form for Lorient and Brentford might not have been recreated in the black and white of the Magpies since he made his United debut in December, but Wissa could well use the clean slate of a tournament setting to prove that he is still that reliable attacking force who netted 86 goals in seven years at his two previous clubs.

Certainly, it feels like DR Congo will need him to fire if they are to last more than the three games they were around for in 1974.

Prediction: It's a minefield trying to work out who might land in the top eight of the third-place teams and therefore be included in the knockout stage, but the Leopards have every right to believe they will at least be in with a shout.

While Portugal and Colombia should have too much for them, if they can make things tough for that pair then a win over Uzbekistan may be enough to send them into the last 32.

Uzbekistan

FIFA world ranking: 50

To win the group: 40/1

Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro's nomadic coaching career brings him back to the tournament with Uzbekistan following his appointment in charge of the White Wolves in October 2025.

Timur Kapadze had led his nation through qualification only to then be told he would be assistant to Cannavaro for the finals, prompting the former head coach to resign within a month.

Little is expected of the debutants, and Cannavaro's unconvincing managerial record since winning the 2019 Chinese Super League with Guangzhou Evergrande leaves many neutrals unenthusiastic about their chances of picking up any victories.

Key player: Eldor Shomurodov

Uzbekistan's all-time record goalscorer, Eldor Shomurodov had the season of his life with Istanbul Basaksehir in the Turkish Super Lig in 2025/26.

The Roma loanee bagged 23 goals, including 22 in 34 league appearances, which led to Basaksehir converting the move from the Italian capital into a permanent deal.

Known as the 'Uzbek Messi', then 30-year-old is his nation's captain and talisman, and it's hard to see them succeeding in leaving a mark unless he is near the top of his form.

Prediction: While Uzbekistan boast Shomurodov and Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov among their ranks, there have to be concerns over the depth of quality available to Cannavaro, who himself still needs to prove himself as a leading coach.

While the hope would be that they can pick up a group-stage win and potentially battle for a best third-place route into the knockouts, one has to believe that a more rounded DR Congo are better placed to do so.

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