World Cup 2026: Group K Preview

Preview to Group K

PORTUGAL

MANAGER: Roberto Martinez

FIFA RANKING: 5

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 8

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: 3rd Place - 1966

The World Cup is the trophy that Portugal are missing from their cabinet and the one they're desperate to win after winning the Euros in 2016 and two Nations Leagues in 2019 and 2025 respectively. This might be their best chance to win it with the quality of squad they've got which is arguably the best squad they've ever had. One reason why they'll be desperate to win it is because this tournament will be Cristiano Ronaldo's last with the national team and he'll want to do what Messi did four years ago and complete football by winning the World Cup.

KEY PLAYER: Bruno Fernandes

Position: Midfielder

Club: Man United

Fernandes comes into this tournament off the back of a stellar season at Man United where he broke the record for most assists in a Premier League season and won the player of the season award. He hasn't always delivered in major tournaments for Portugal but with Ronaldo now at the end of his international career and no longer the talismanic figure he was, this could be the tournament where Fernandes steps up as Portugal's new talisman.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Joao Neves

Position: Midfielder

Club: PSG

Neves has been one of the best young players in Europe over the last couple of years following two standout campaigns with PSG. He's tidy with the ball as he's good at keeping it close and playing the right pass and he's also good without the ball by getting back and making crucial challenges for his team.

PREDICTION: Quarter Finals

They have the potential to go far at this tournament with the squad they've got and they'll want to win it for Ronaldo. But I think they'll again fall short of the final stages.

DR CONGO

MANAGER: Bathelemy Ngatsomo

FIFA RANKING: 46

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 1

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Group Stage - 1974

DR Congo are back at a World Cup finals for the first time since 1974 when they were known as Zaire before becoming the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1997. They a few current and former Premier League players in their side including Aaron Wan Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, Noah Sadiki, Arthur Masuaku and Yoane Wissa. Having these players gives them a chance of getting out the group because they've all played and proved themselves at the top level and every country needs these kinds of players if they're to stand a chance.

KEY PLAYER: Chancel Mbemba

Position: Centre Back

Club: Lille

Mbemba is Congo's captain and organiser in defence. He was a key reason why Congo had such a strong defence during qualifying because of his leadership on the pitch as well as his solid displays. He'll need to show those qualities if his team are to make it into the knockout rounds.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Noah Sadiki

Position: Midfielder

Club: Sunderland

Sadiki had a promising debut season at Sunderland last season with his tenacity in the midfield playing a vital role in the season they had. He'll bring steel and energy as well as tenacity to the Congo midfield with the latter set to be key in them being difficult to beat.

PREDICTION: Last 32

They'll make it difficult for teams by being tough to beat and defensively well organised. That should be enough to get them out the group but I don't see them score many goals.

UZBEKISTAN

MANAGER: Fabio Cannavaro

FIFA RANKING: 50

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 0

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: N/A

Uzbekistan will be playing at their first ever World Cup at this tournament and they have a World Cup winning captain in charge in Fabio Cannavaro, who led Italy to glory 20 years ago. Having someone like him in charge can only be a positive because he knows what it's like to play at a World Cup and the players will find the experience he offers very valuable. They will be massive underdogs because of this being their first World Cup, but having a former World Cup winning captain as your manager does give them a small chance of doing well.

KEY PLAYER: Eldor Shomurodov

Position: Striker

Club: Istanbul Besaksehir

Shomurodov will be Uzbekistan's main man at this tournament and he's also their record goal scorer with 44 goals. He comes into this tournament off the back of a clinical season on loan at Istanbul Besaksehir where he scored 22 goals and if Uzbekistan are to stand a chance at this World Cup, they'll need him to repeat that form because he is by far their best goal scorer.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Abdukodir Khusanov

Position: Centre Back

Club: Man City

Khusanov had a much improved season at Man City last season and is a key cog in the Uzbekistan defence. His solid displays and important interventions were key to Uzbekistan qualifying and he'll be required to to do both again because of the tough group his country are in.

PREDICTION: Group Stage

Despite having an ex-World Cup winning captain as a manager, they still don't have the quality to compete at this level. Because of this I can only see them go home early.

COLOMBIA

MANAGER: Nestor Lorenzo

FIFA RANKING: 13

WORLD CUP APPEARANCES: 6

BEST WORLD CUP FINISH: Quarter Finals - 2014

Colombia had a rocky qualifying campaign but still managed to finish third and qualify for this tournament. Their hopes of qualifying were in doubt following a run of six games without win heading into the final stretch, but they were able to seal their spot by winning their last two games against Bolivia and Venezuela. But despite a rocky qualifying campaign, they'll still be expected to qualify from this group as there is still a lot of quality in their side and especially in attack.

KEY PLAYER: Luis Diaz

Position: Forward

Club: Bayern Munich

Diaz has taken over from James Rodriguez as Colombia's go-to player and he'll certainly be that player at this tournament after an incredible first season at Bayern Munich. His pace and work rate off the ball cause defenders all kind of problems and if he can replicate his form from last season at this tournament, Colombia could replicate their achievement from 2014.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Luis Suarez

Position: Striker

Club: Sporting Lisbon

Suarez netted four times in the final qualifier against Venezuela to send Colombia to these finals and he comes into this tournament off the back of a 38-goal season at Sporting Lisbon. If he carries that form into this tournament, some of the big clubs in Europe could come chasing him.

PREDICTION: Last 16

They've got a lot of firepower in their attack which will cause teams a lot of problems. But I think they'll come unstuck against top opposition in the knockout rounds.