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Group Guide · 2026 World Cup

World Cup 2026 Group K

Group K is led by Portugal and completed by the Leopards of DR Congo, World Cup debutants Uzbekistan and a dangerous Colombia. Roberto Martinez's Portugal, reigning UEFA Nations League champions, build around Cristiano Ronaldo at a record sixth World Cup, Bruno Fernandes and a deep, gifted squad. Colombia bring James Rodriguez and the side that reached the 2024 Copa America final. DR Congo are back on the biggest stage for the first time since 1974, and Uzbekistan reach the finals for the first time in their history. This group runs through Houston, Mexico City, Guadalajara, Miami and Atlanta. This is the full fixture list with venues and dates, the qualification picture, and a prediction for who reaches the new Round of 32.

Updated 5 June 2026 · WorldCuply.com editorial · Sources: FIFA, Sky Sports, ESPN, FOX Sports

K
Group
4
Teams
17 Jun
Portugal vs DR Congo
2
Qualify (Plus Best Thirds)
The short version. Group K is Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia. It opens with Portugal vs DR Congo at NRG Stadium in Houston on 17 June, with games split between the USA and Mexico, and a final round on 27 June. Portugal are favourites to win the group, with Colombia the most likely challenger and DR Congo in the mix for a best-third place. The top two go through automatically alongside the best third-placed teams across the 12 groups.

Who is in Group K

Portugal lead a genuinely balanced group: Colombia carry real attacking quality, DR Congo are athletic and European-based, and Uzbekistan arrive on a historic first qualification. Here is the Group K field.

01
Top Seed · Favourite UEFA
Portugal

The seeded side. Roberto Martinez's Portugal are reigning UEFA Nations League champions, built around Cristiano Ronaldo at a record sixth World Cup, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Rafael Leao. The deepest squad in the group. Read our full Portugal squad guide.

02
Copa Finalists CONMEBOL
Colombia

The main challenger. Nestor Lorenzo's side reached the 2024 Copa America final and carry quality in James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz, Jhon Duran and Richard Rios. Strong favourites for one of the two qualifying places. Read our Colombia guide.

03
The Leopards CAF
DR Congo

The Leopards. Back at the World Cup for the first time since 1974 under Sebastien Desabre, with Yoane Wissa, Cedric Bakambu and Chancel Mbemba. Athletic and dangerous, they can push for a best-third place. Read our DR Congo guide.

04
Historic Debutants AFC
Uzbekistan

The first-time qualifiers. Coached by Italy's 2006 World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro and led by captain Eldor Shomurodov and Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, Uzbekistan reach the finals for the first time. Read our Uzbekistan guide.

Group K fixtures, venues and dates

Six Group K matches across three matchdays, split between the United States and Mexico. Portugal play their first two games at NRG Stadium in Houston before finishing in Miami, while Colombia and Uzbekistan open at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The final round on 27 June kicks off simultaneously. Times below are US Eastern.

Matchday 1 · 17 June
Portugal vs DR Congo
NRG Stadium, Houston · Portugal opener · 1pm ET
Wed 17 Jun 2026
Uzbekistan vs Colombia
Estadio Azteca, Mexico City · 9pm ET
Wed 17 Jun 2026
Matchday 2 · 23 June
Portugal vs Uzbekistan
NRG Stadium, Houston · 1pm ET
Tue 23 Jun 2026
Colombia vs DR Congo
Estadio Akron, Guadalajara · 9pm ET
Tue 23 Jun 2026
Matchday 3 · 27 June · Simultaneous kickoff
Colombia vs Portugal
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens · 7:30pm ET
Sat 27 Jun 2026
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta · 7:30pm ET
Sat 27 Jun 2026

For the full picture of all 104 games and kickoff times in your own time zone, use the WorldCuply.com match schedule. Portugal's path is covered in detail in our Portugal squad guide.

How qualification works in Group K

The 2026 World Cup is the first with 48 teams in 12 groups of four. That changes how a group plays out:

For a full breakdown of the new structure, read our World Cup 2026 format explainer.

Who advances from Group K

A balanced group with a clear favourite and a real fight behind. Here is how we see it:

Portugal are the standout, but the race for second between Colombia and DR Congo could run to the final matchday. Follow it live with the schedule and the Match-Day Notifier.

Frequently asked questions

Which teams are in Group K at the 2026 World Cup?
Group K at the 2026 World Cup contains Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia. Portugal were the seeded side after the December 2025 draw, joined by the Leopards of DR Congo, World Cup debutants Uzbekistan, and James Rodriguez's Colombia. It is one of the most balanced groups in the tournament.
When does Group K start at the 2026 World Cup?
Group K begins on Wednesday 17 June 2026 with Portugal against DR Congo at NRG Stadium in Houston, kicking off at noon local time (1pm Eastern). Uzbekistan face Colombia later that day at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Where are the Group K matches played?
Group K is split between the United States and Mexico. The venues are NRG Stadium in Houston, the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Portugal play their first two games in Houston before finishing in Miami.
What are the full Group K fixtures?
Matchday one: Portugal vs DR Congo (17 June, Houston) and Uzbekistan vs Colombia (17 June, Mexico City). Matchday two: Portugal vs Uzbekistan (23 June, Houston) and Colombia vs DR Congo (23 June, Guadalajara). Matchday three: Colombia vs Portugal (27 June, Miami) and DR Congo vs Uzbekistan (27 June, Atlanta).
Who is the favourite to win Group K?
Portugal are favourites to win Group K. Roberto Martinez's side, reigning UEFA Nations League champions and built around Cristiano Ronaldo at his sixth World Cup, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Rafael Leao, have the deepest squad in the group. Colombia are the most likely challenger for top spot.
How many teams advance from Group K?
The top two teams in Group K advance to the Round of 32 automatically. Because the 2026 World Cup has 48 teams in 12 groups, the eight best third-placed teams across all groups also qualify, so a strong third place can still be enough to go through.
How good is Colombia in Group K?
Colombia are dangerous and the biggest threat to Portugal. Nestor Lorenzo's side reached the 2024 Copa America final and carry real quality in James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz, Jhon Duran and Richard Rios. They are strong favourites to take one of the two automatic qualifying places.
Can DR Congo advance from Group K?
Yes. DR Congo, the Leopards, are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1974 under Sebastien Desabre, with Yoane Wissa, Cedric Bakambu and Chancel Mbemba. They have the athleticism and European-based talent to chase second or a best-third place, though the draw is demanding.
What are Uzbekistan's chances on their World Cup debut?
Uzbekistan reach the World Cup for the first time in their history, now coached by Italy's 2006 winner Fabio Cannavaro and led by captain Eldor Shomurodov and Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov. They are well organised and will aim to be competitive, but face three higher-ranked sides.
Who will qualify from Group K?
Our prediction is that Portugal win Group K, with Colombia taking second thanks to their attacking quality and tournament experience. DR Congo are expected to push hard for a best-third place, while Uzbekistan aim to make their debut count with a competitive result.

More 2026 World Cup coverage

Group K is one of 12 groups at the 2026 World Cup. Explore the rest of the WorldCuply.com guide:

Where this page comes from

This guide was hand-written from the following reporting and reference pages, used to confirm the Group K teams, fixtures, venues and dates:

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