World Cup Group K Preview

Group K

Portugal → Qualified as UEFA group winner, ranked 5th in the FIFA rankings

DR Congo → Qualified as FIFA playoff winner, ranked 46th in the FIFA rankings

Uzbekistan → Qualified as top AFC group finisher, ranked 50th in the FIFA rankings

Colombia → Qualified as a top CONMEBOL group finisher, ranked 13th in the FIFA rankings


Portugal Team Preview

In what is likely to be Cristiano Ronaldo’s final World Cup tournament, Portugal are looking to do what Argentina did for Messi last year and get one of the greatest players of all time the trophy he is missing. Portugal won their tough group with Ireland and Hungary on their tails, but they only lost one game and had a solid goal differential of +13. Since September 2024, they have only lost two games and won the UEFA Nations League, beating Spain in a shootout in that tournament. Portugal are led by players like Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Reuben Dias, and so many more. On top of wanting to win for Ronaldo, they will also be holding Diogo Jota close to their hearts who passed away last summer. I see them doing very well and making a deep run in the tournament. 


DR Congo Team Preview

The Democratic Republic of the Congo are in their first ever World Cup after placing second in their CAF qualifying group and then winning their playoff game against Jamaica. They were in a difficult group where Senegal won the thing and Congo was right behind them only two points off. They have only had two games since their Jamaica win, a tie and a loss, but I am very intrigued by this team. They are led up top by Yoane Wissa and are anchored by defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe. I could see them getting a win and maybe even another draw in this group, something that not many people would see coming.  


Uzbekistan Team Preview

Uzbekistan qualified for their first ever World Cup after getting second in their AFC qualifying group, only two points behind Iran. Since 2025, they have only lost three games, all three to other World Cup participants. They are currently on a two game losing streak, but they were to the Netherlands and Canada, two very strong teams. Their path in the World Cup is not going to be an easy one, going up against Colombia and Portugal in their first two games. The majority of their squad plays in the Uzbekistani domestic league, with the notable exception of Abdukodir Khusanov who plays for Manchester City. I struggle to see them getting more than a point, but it will be fun to watch them at their first tournament. 


Colombia Team Preview

The Colombians are back at the World Cup after missing out on the 2022 edition and are looking as strong as they ever have. They were level on points at the end of their qualifying round but placed third after tiebreakers. They managed to score 28 goals which was second most behind Argentina. They have had mixed results since then, beating Jordan and Costa Rica but struggling and losing against France and Croatia. They have some big name strikers in Luis Diaz and John Arias along with some strong veterans in James Rodriguez and David Ospina. I think they are going to qualify for the knockout round but unsure of how they will do beyond that. 


Ben’s Predictions


Best Game: Portugal vs Colombia

The two best teams on paper meet in the final game of the group stage. There could be first and second on the line here, especially with the “easier” of the two games being played for each before this one. I do believe that Portugal will win the game fairly handily. 


Underrated Game: Colombia vs DR Congo

I see this game as being a turning point for both teams in the group. In all likelihood, Colombia should be coming off a win against Uzbekistan and Congo coming off of a loss to Portugal, but I could see the Congolese giving Colombia a run for their money. I think they are going to press an aging Colombian team that may not have the legs they used to. 


Dark Horse: DR Congo

I’ll put my hand up here, I doubted the ability of this Congolese team quite a bit looking at the group. It wasn’t until I started to look into the squad and see the depth they possessed at every position. I still don’t think that they are going to do fantastic, but they have the pieces to do so and I am excited to see how the game comes together for them.


Let Down Team: Portugal

We all saw the blueprint that Argentina laid out in Qatar, playing and winning games for Messi. Portugal will try to do the same thing this year for Ronaldo, but could the pressure get to them too quickly in the group stage? There is a lot of pressure they are under with Ronaldo’s final World Cup and carrying the weight of Jota’s death. I don’t think they will collapse, but if the coaches don’t prepare them for the pressure, they could end up having a short tournament. 


Final Group Stage Results

  1. Portugal

  2. Colombia

  3. DR Congo

  4. Uzbekistan

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