World Cup Group K Preview: Betting Predictions & Team Analysis

Group K brings plenty of storylines into the 2026 World Cup. Portugal arrive as one of the stronger contenders in the outright betting market, with Cristiano Ronaldo preparing for what is expected to be his final major international tournament. Colombia look like a dangerous dark horse capable of making a run, while the Democratic Republic of Congo are back on the World Cup stage for the first time in more than five decades. Uzbekistan will also be making history with its tournament debut.

Odds to win Group K

Portugal -205
Colombia +200
Democratic Republic of Congo +1700
Uzbekistan +4000

Colombia currently sit 13th in the FIFA rankings, but Portugal are still odds-on favorites to win Group K according to the World Cup futures odds. The Portuguese closed qualifying in emphatic fashion with a 9-1 win over Armenia and also looked sharp during their March trip to North America. They drew Mexico 0-0 at Estadio Azteca before defeating the United States 2-0 in Atlanta.

Odds to Win World Cup for Group K Teams

Portugal +870
Colombia +5000
Democratic Republic of Congo +85000
Uzbekistan +165000

Portugal’s World Cup title odds have steadily shortened over the last year. After a disappointing Euro 2024, many observers questioned whether this team was still a true international threat. However, Portugal answered during the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League, winning the competition for a second time after beating Germany and Spain. Those results showed that this squad can still compete with the world’s elite.

Match Schedule

Portugal vs. Democratic Republic of Congo, June 17, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas (Match 23)

Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, June 17, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET from Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Mexico (Match 24)

Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, June 23, 2026, at 1 p.m. ET from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas (Match 47)

Colombia vs. Democratic Republic of Congo, June 23, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET from Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Mexico (Match 48)

Colombia vs. Portugal, June 27, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida (Match 71)

Democratic Republic of Congo vs. Uzbekistan, June 27, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia (Match 72)

Team Previews

Portugal

Cristiano Ronaldo remains the most prolific scorer in the history of international soccer by a wide margin. Ronaldo has scored 143 goals in 226 appearances for Portugal, with only Lionel Messi and Ali Daei joining him in the exclusive group of players to reach 100 international goals. The greatest player in Portuguese history had initially been expected to serve a two-match suspension after receiving a straight red card against Ireland, but FIFA lifted the ban and cleared him to play from the start of the World Cup.

Portugal have far more than Ronaldo, though. Goncalo Ramos continues to develop at Paris Saint-Germain, while Joao Felix and Goncalo Guedes remain dangerous attacking pieces despite not fully meeting expectations at some of their bigger club stops.

The midfield is where Portugal’s quality truly stands out. Vitinha has become one of the top midfielders in the world and finished third in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting. His PSG teammate Joao Neves is already a world-class talent at just 21, while Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva give Portugal creativity and goal threat when they move forward. Fernandes has 28 goals in 87 caps, and Silva has added 14 goals in 107 appearances.

The defense is loaded as well. Nuno Mendes finished inside the top 10 in last year’s Ballon d’Or voting, and he is supported by experienced options like Joao Cancelo and Ruben Dias. Diogo Dalot and Nelson Semedo give the squad veteran depth, while Goncalo Inacio has also impressed.

Diogo Costa is expected to be Portugal’s first-choice goalkeeper again. Costa took over the starting role after Rui Patricio was moved to the bench in 2022, and he has continued to stand out for Porto in the Primeira Liga.

Portugal should be in a strong position to reach the knockout rounds, with Colombia looking like their only real challenger in Group K. Once the tournament reaches that stage, their ceiling may depend on whether they can finish chances consistently, especially with Ronaldo nearing the end of his international career and no clear heir fully established on this stage.

Colombia

Colombia may be the most accomplished South American nation that has never won a World Cup. Los Cafeteros surprisingly missed the 2022 tournament after strong showings in the previous two editions. They were eliminated by host nation Brazil in the 2014 quarterfinals and then lost to England on penalties in the Round of 16 in 2018.

James Rodriguez remains the captain and one of the most important figures in the squad. He has consistently raised his level for Colombia, winning the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup with six goals in five matches and later earning the Golden Ball at the 2024 Copa America.

Luis Diaz is likely to be Colombia’s main attacking outlet. The winger has scored 22 goals in 73 international appearances and enters the tournament after a strong first season with Bayern Munich. Jefferson Lerma adds experience in midfield, while Juan Fernando Quintero can still provide a spark when Colombia need creativity.

There are some defensive questions for Los Cafeteros. Jhon Lucumi is expected to anchor the center of the back line and will likely partner with Davinson Sanchez again. Daniel Munoz should occupy one side, while Yerry Mina remains a dangerous set-piece threat because of his size and aerial ability.

In goal, Camilo Vargas has overtaken long-time starter David Ospina. That may surprise casual fans since both players are the same age and Ospina has far more international experience, but Vargas has been Colombia’s No. 1 since the 2024 Copa America.

Democratic Republic of Congo

The Democratic Republic of Congo took an unlikely path to the World Cup. The Leopards finished only two points behind Senegal in the first phase of qualifying and were left frustrated after giving away a 2-0 lead in Kinshasa. They were not expected by many outsiders to survive single-elimination matches against Cameroon and Nigeria, but they beat Cameroon with an extra-time goal and then defeated Nigeria in a penalty shootout.

DR Congo have kept that momentum going in the build-up to the tournament. They fell to Algeria in extra time at AFCON, but they later beat Bermuda and Jamaica and held Denmark to a scoreless draw earlier this year.

This is a potential dark horse because of the amount of European-based talent on the roster. Cedric Bakambu, Meschak Elia, and Yoane Wissa can all provide goals, while former French youth international Nathanael Mbuku and former Belgian youth player Noah Sadiki give the midfield additional quality.

Captain Chancel Mbemba leads the team from the back. Mbemba has extensive experience in top European leagues and should help organize the defense. Arthur Masuaku, Axel Tuanzebe, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also bring significant European club experience.

Le Havre goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi is expected to wear the No. 1 shirt for DR Congo. Mpasi has not played much at club level, but he remains the preferred starter. Timothy Fayulu is also an interesting option because of his penalty-saving record, and he was brought on before the shootout win over Nigeria.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan’s automatic qualification was one of the more surprising developments in Asia, as they finished ahead of the United Arab Emirates and Qatar. The White Wolves only failed to get a result once during qualifying and drew with Iran in all four of their meetings.

Former Italy star Fabio Cannavaro is now in charge of Uzbekistan, and his side is expected to play with a compact, defense-first approach. Captain Eldor Shomurodov is the country’s all-time leading scorer with 44 goals and has revived his club career with Istanbul Basaksehir. Igor Sergeev, who plays for Persepolis, is another forward option with 24 international goals and should link up with club teammate Oston Urunov.

Two 22-year-olds are especially worth watching. Midfielder Abbosbek Fayzullaev was named the 2023 AFC Youth Player of the Year, while Abdukodir Khusanov became the first Uzbek player to appear in the Premier League after Manchester City signed him in January 2025.

Veteran goalkeeper Utkir Yusupov is set to start for Uzbekistan at the World Cup. Yusupov has 39 caps for the national team, but he remains relatively unknown internationally after spending his professional career in Uzbekistan and Iran.