Portugal want the one trophy Cristiano Ronaldo has never held. Colombia want to announce themselves as South America’s second-best team at this World Cup. DR Congo and Uzbekistan want third place — and in the FIFA World Cup 2026™, third place is worth fighting for.
Here is what makes this group stage different from any previous World Cup: eight of the twelve third-place finishers across all groups will advance to the round of 32. That means DR Congo and Uzbekistan are not simply making up numbers. They are competing for a knockout-stage berth that is genuinely attainable. One good result — a win where a draw was expected, a point stolen from Colombia or Portugal — could be enough.
Group K opens on June 17 with Portugal vs DR Congo and Uzbekistan vs Colombia. Four nations, four very different stories, and a format that keeps everyone in the conversation until the very end.
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Portugal: one last chance for Ronaldo
The World Cup is the only major trophy missing from Cristiano Ronaldo’s career. League titles, Champions League, a European Championship, every individual scoring record imaginable — he has all of it. Except this.
At 41, this is his last realistic opportunity. But Portugal are not relying on sentiment — they have one of the deepest squads in the tournament. Bruno Fernandes controls tempo and creates chances that others would not even attempt. Rafael Leão brings the kind of pace and directness on the left flank that defenders dread in wide-open space. Bernardo Silva is the heartbeat of their midfield press. Rúben Dias leads a defence that is difficult to dismantle. Portugal are genuine contenders to win the World Cup outright in 2026, not just to top Group K. The question is not whether they qualify — it is how far they go from here.
Colombia: Luis Díaz and the case for South America’s second team
Colombia reached the Copa América 2024 final and played some of the most attractive football of any South American side in recent memory. They are not here to participate — they are here to play till the very end of the tournament.
Luis Díaz is their most dangerous weapon. Direct, two-footed, and relentless over 90 minutes, he gives Colombia a threat on the left that can hurt any defence. James Rodríguez adds a different dimension — slower but more creative, with a passing range and set-piece quality that changes the geometry of a match entirely. Colombia’s opening fixture against Uzbekistan on June 18 is the one they are expected to win comfortably. Their final group match against Portugal on June 28 is where the group could genuinely be decided.
DR Congo: 50 years in waiting
DR Congo are one of the great football nations Africa has never fully exported to the global stage. The talent has always been there — the infrastructure and consistency have not. It returns to the football World Cup after 52 years.
This squad has real quality. Yoane Wissa brings Premier League sharpness in attack. The midfield is energetic and capable of disrupting sides who expect the ball back quickly. Against Portugal in the opener, they face the hardest possible start. But their match against Uzbekistan on June 24 is the one that decides their fate. Win that, and a third-place berth that leads to the round of 32 is within reach. The expanded format of the FIFA World Cup 2026™ was built for stories like DR Congo. They have every reason to believe.
Uzbekistan: Central Asia’s quiet achievers
Uzbekistan have been quietly improving their football for a decade. Their AFC qualification campaign showed a side that is organised, hard to break down, and capable of grinding out results against teams with far greater individual quality. They are not here by chance.
Against Portugal and Colombia, the gap in class is significant. But third place remains achievable — and on June 28, against DR Congo, they have a direct contest to determine who earns that coveted third-place slot. A point from their opening match against Colombia would be an enormous boost. It would keep them level with DR Congo going into the final matchday and make that last game a genuine final.
Group K fixtures (all times IST)
| Match | Fixture | Date (IST) | Kick-off (IST) | Venue |
| 1 | Portugal vs DR Congo | Jun 17 | 10:30 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| 2 | Uzbekistan vs Colombia | Jun 18 | 7:30 AM | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City |
| 3 | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | Jun 23 | 10:30 PM | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| 4 | Colombia vs DR Congo | Jun 24 | 7:30 AM | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara |
| 5 | Colombia vs Portugal | Jun 28 | 5:00 AM | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| 6 | Uzbekistan vs DR Congo | Jun 28 | 5:00 AM | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
The verdict
Portugal should most likely win this group. Their squad is too complete, too experienced in big tournaments, and too well-coached to be troubled by DR Congo or Uzbekistan. Colombia are second — Luis Díaz and the depth of their attacking options give them the edge. Then comes the genuinely interesting part. DR Congo and Uzbekistan will meet on June 28 knowing exactly what they need. Both sides are capable of picking up points against each other and potentially against Colombia. Eight of twelve third-place teams advance. Be good enough in three matches, and finishing third in Group K still gets you into the round of 32. That is the promise of this World Cup — and DR Congo and Uzbekistan will run towards it.
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