2026 World Cup Group K Guide: Teams, schedule, key player

Headlined by Portugal, Group K could be one of the most unpredictable groups this summer.

DAZN News takes a look at Group K, examining the teams, players and big games across the opening stage of World Cup 2026. 

World Cup Group Guides 

• Group A 
• Group B
• Group C
• Group D
• Group E
• Group F
• Group G
• Group H
• Group I
• Group J
• Group K
• Group L 

Group K - at a glance 

• Portugal
• DR Congo 
• Uzbekistan
• Colombia 

Fixtures

Predicted qualifiers

Portugal would have been pretty pleased with the draw they were given and expected to top this group. Colombia also look a good bet to progress from Group K. 

The Teams

Portugal

World Ranking: 6
Best World Cup result: Third place, 1966

Perennial World Cup participants, the Portuguese hope to do more than simply make up the numbers this summer.

Portugal have made it out of the group in each of the last two World Cups, with a run to the quarter-finals in Qatar 2022 showing that they can compete at this stage.

However, despite recent success at the continental level — Portugal were champions at Euro 2016 as well as the UEFA Nations League in 2019 and 2025 — they are still looking for their first triumph on the world stage.

With players at many of the biggest clubs in the world, Portugal certainly have the talent to make noise in North America.

Key man - Cristiano Ronaldo

He's in his 40s now and far from the dominant force he was in his prime, but Ronaldo is still very capable of producing game-changing moments. The superstar will surely be making his last bow at the World Cup, and he'll look to make it a memorable one.

Manager - Roberto Martínez 

Entering his third World Cup as a head coach, the vastly experienced Martinez has been Portugal's boss since 2023.

DR Congo 

World Ranking: 56
Best World Cup: Group stage, 1974

Fifty years on from the 1974 finals, when they competed as Zaire, DR Congo are back on the World Cup stage. 

They overcame Jamaica in the play-offs with a narrow 1-0 win after extra time and were dropped into a group where it will be a hard task to see off both Portugal and Colombia to get through to a knockout berth. 

However, there are plenty of familiar names amongst the squad, including Aron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe and Noah Sadiki, who all play their football in the Premier League and they finished above both Cameroon and Nigeria on their way to booking their passage to the tournament. 

Key man - Yoane Wissa 

It's been an injury-hit season at Newcastle for the striker, but he showed at Brentford that his a top quality marksmen. 

Manager  -  Sebastien Desabre

The French coach has largely spent his managerial career in Africa and previously bossed Uganda internationally. He's now in his sixth year in charge of Congo. 

Getty

Uzbekistan

World Ranking: 52
Best World Cup: World Cup debut

Another of the nations set to make their maiden World Cup voyage this summer, Uzbekistan are easily among the biggest unknowns heading to North America.

Losing just once during their qualifying campaign, they finished second in their group behind Iran to secure automatic advancement.

Featuring a squad made up mostly of domestic players, Uzbekistan have a lot to prove and the stage to do so.

Key man - Eldor Shomurodov

The Uzbek captain and all-time leading scorer still has a lot left in thhe tank at 30 years old. Shomurodov is enjoying a fine season at İstanbul Başakşehir, on loan from Roma.

Manager - Fabio Cannavaro

The 2006 World Cup winner now faces one of his biggest challenges as he guides Uzbekistan at their debut World Cup.

Anvar Ilyasov/Getty Images

Colombia

World Ranking: 14
Best World Cup: Quarter-final, 2014

Los Cafeteros are back on the World Cup stage after failing to qualify for Qatar 2022, and they look to make some noise this summer.

After a fantastic qualification camoaign in which Colombia finished third in the single-table CONMEBOL format, the team went undefeated through the remainder of 2025 with three wins and a draw in their four friendlies to close the year.

2026 hasn't started the same way, but there is a lot ot be optimistic about for the South American country, whose squad is filled with players from both sides of the Atlantic.

Key man - James Rodriguez

Colombia's most visible star throughout his career, the 34-year-old has moved to MLS side Minnesota United in order to prepared for the mostly U.S.-based World Cup. A few of James' teammates are likely more feared at this point in his career, but you can never bet against him to pull off another moment of magic on the world's biiggest stage.

Manager - Néstor Lorenzo

Lorenzo has graduated from Colombia's assistant coach to the top boss, taking over the main role in 2022 after a short stint as manager of a Peruvian club.

(Getty Images)

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