Group K at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is likely to be one that garners plenty of attention due to the fact that it is the group featuring Cristiano Ronaldo.
The 41-year-old has attracted attention throughout his career, and there is no reason to believe that will be any different in what is set to be his final-ever appearance at a World Cup finals.
Aside from Portugal, Group K features Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan. While on paper, it's natural to assume that Portugal and Colombia will qualify for the knockout stages, the addition of a third qualifying spot this time around gives DR Congo and Uzbekistan hope.
Check out our Group K predictions and tips below.
Which teams are in Group K at the 2026 World Cup?
Portugal
Current ranking: 5
Portugal's status as the fifth-best international team in the world is well deserved, and they now have pedigree behind them after winning the 2024/25 edition of the UEFA Nations League.
The discourse is so often about Ronaldo when it comes to Portugal, but their midfield is arguably the strongest part of their squad, and is what makes them legitimate contenders to win the entire tournament.
Manager and tactics
Roberto Martinez took the reins following the completion of the 2022 World Cup, and the former Belgium boss has done a good job so far, although he will ultimately be judged on whether he can win Portugal their first World Cup or another European Championship.
Martinez likes to operate with a 4-2-3-1 formation, which provides Bruno Fernandes with the license to play in a free role behind Ronaldo.
Colombia
Current ranking: 13
Colombia are competing in their first World Cup since 2018, when they were knocked out of the round of 16 by England via a penalty shootout.
In the eight years since Russia, they have become a tough unit, hence their ranking of 13th in the world. Their general performance across qualifying was excellent, picking up four points from a possible six against the current world champions, Argentina.
Manager and tactics
Nestor Lorenzo took over as Colombia manager four years ago, and he has plenty of experience at World Cups, having acted as the assistant manager in both 2014 and 2018.
His players have adopted a very physical style of play during his tenure, which has made them one of the toughest international teams to beat in world football.
Like Martinez, Lorenzo's preferred formation is a 4-2-3-1, with James Rodriguez still operating in the number ten role.
DR Congo
Current ranking: 46
DR Congo are set for their first World Cup appearance in 50 years this summer, but they didn't make life easy for themselves during qualifying.
After ending up in a playoff match against Jamaica, Congo needed an Axel Tuanzebe winner in extra time tos ecure safe passage through to the World Cup.
Manager and tactics
Led by Sebastien Desabre, DR Congo's game is all about trying to outrun their opponents. Desabre likes to pack the midfield, where the likes of Noah Sadiki and Samuel Moutoussamy excel.
In terms of goals, Yoane Wissa will be key, but the Newcastle forward has had an injury-hit season, which doesn't bode well for the summer.
Uzbekistan
Current ranking: 50
Uzbekistan are the lowest-ranked team in Group K at the World Cup, but they will be fearless in what is their first-ever appearance at the tournament.
While it is highly unlikely they will compete to win it, they can make life difficult for the other three sides in Group K. In qualifying, they lost just one of their ten matches, proving they are not the type of side to just wilt under pressure.
Manager and tactics
Uzbekistan are led by none other than Fabio Cannavaro, the former Italian captain who lifted the World Cup trophy back in 2006.
He has not been in the job long, and his appointment in late 2025 was a controversial one, given the impressive work that the former manager Timur Kapadze had done.
Unsurprisingly, Cannavaro is all about keeping things physical and tight. Two banks of four will sit in, leaving the two forwards to feed off scraps.
2026 World Cup Group K winner and qualification odds
Group K winner odds
- Portugal – 1/2
- Colombia – 2/1
- DR Congo – 11/2
- Uzbekistan – 20/1
Group K qualification odds
- Portugal – 1/80
- Colombia – 1/9
- DR Congo – 8/11
- Uzebkistan – 2/1
2026 World Cup Group K fixtures and odds
Gameweek 1
Portugal vs DR Congo
- Portugal: 1/4
- Draw: 9/2
- DR Congo: 9/1
Uzbekistan vs Colombia
- Uzbekistan: 15/2
- Draw: 7/2
- Colombia: 4/11
Gameweek 2
Portugal vs Uzbekistan
- Portugal: TBC
- Draw: TBC
- Uzbekistan: TBC
Colombia vs DR Congo
- Colombia: TBC
- Draw: TBC
- DR Congo: TBC
Gameweek 3
Colombia vs Portugal
- Colombia: TBC
- Draw: TBC
- Portugal: TBC
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan
- DR Congo: TBC
- Draw: TBC
- Uzbekistan: TBC
Predicted finishing order
- Portugal
- Colombia
- Uzbekistan
- DR Congo
Realistically, the top spot is going to come down to the match between Portugal and Colombia on matchday three, but Portugal's firepower means they are more likely to come into that match with a superior goal difference. That could be key, as it will mean they can afford to draw with Colombia to progress as group winners.
As for Uzbekistan and DR Congo, the hosts have more form to speak of coming into the tournament, and they could end up being this summer's surprise package.
World Cup 2022 Coverage
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Andy is tipster who has been calling Golf tournaments for several years across many different platforms. He has covered all tournaments from the Asian Tour to the Masters. He's also a keen football fan and is an expert on European football.
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