The 2026 FIFA World Cup begins this week, and the 12 groups are set ahead of the newly expanded 48-team tournament.
The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, marks the first time the historic tournament has expanded from 32 to 48 teams. It will also feature a new Round of 32 knockout stage, resulting in a colossal 104 matches across 39 days.
Group K includes Portugal, Congo DR, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. Let’s take a look at the Group K teams and see how each team is shaping up heading into the tournament.
Group K: Portugal, Congo DR, Uzbekistan, and Colombia
Portugal:
Portugal has been one of the most consistent European nations over the last two decades, constantly reaching the knockout stages of major tournaments and even taking home the 2016 Euros and 2025 UEFA Nations League trophies, but they have never been able to lift the World Cup trophy. In the last five World Cups, Portugal have made it out of the group stage four times and reached the quarterfinals in 2022. Portugal automatically qualified for the tournament after winning their group in qualifying and ended on a strong note by hammering Armenia 9-1.
Despite having one of the greatest players in soccer history leading their attack for the last two decades in Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s 2026 squad may be the most balanced and complete team they have brought to a World Cup during his international career. Their back line is led by one of the best center backs in the world in Rúben Dias, and they also have one of the tournament’s most electrifying attacking full-back duos in João Cancelo and Nuno Mendes. It doesn’t stop there, as they have one of the best midfields in the entire tournament, with players coming off incredible seasons such as Vitinha and João Neves, who recently won the UEFA Champions League with PSG. These two, combined with Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes, who is arguably coming off one of the best seasons of his career, logging nine goals and 21 assists, will form one of the tournament’s most dangerous and complete midfields.
Then at the top is the 41-year-old Ronaldo, who is making his sixth World Cup appearance. He’ll be joined by talented attackers such as Rafael Leão, João Félix and Gonçalo Ramos, giving Portugal a dangerous and capable attack. Portugal has all the tools and talent to finally bring home their first World Cup, but it remains to be seen whether they will play to their potential and for their leader Ronaldo or falter under the pressure.
Congo DR:
DR Congo are making their first World Cup appearance since 1974, which was a brutal tournament debut for the country formerly known as Zaire, as they failed to score a single goal and conceded 14. Despite not appearing at a World Cup in over 50 years, DR Congo will be aiming to prove that they belong on the world’s biggest stage. They will get that chance right away, opening the tournament against UEFA Nations League champions Portugal on June 17 in Houston.
DR Congo had a difficult path to the World Cup, initially finishing second in their CAF qualifying group and needing to advance through the playoff route. Despite that, DR Congo defeated experienced African sides such as Cameroon and Nigeria before eventually taking down Jamaica in extra time to secure their first World Cup appearance of the century. Manager Sébastien Desabre deserves a great deal of credit for bringing DR Congo back into relevance and has certainly helped shift the culture within the squad since his arrival in 2022. DR Congo run a hybrid style of play, capable of both controlling possession and playing in transition depending on the opponent.
Uzbekistan:
Uzbekistan, one of the world’s youngest soccer nations, having only debuted as an independent nation in 1992, will be making their World Cup debut this summer. It is already quite impressive that a nation so young within the soccer landscape was able to qualify, but they will be looking to make a name for themselves in a challenging Group K, going up against proven and experienced sides such as Portugal and Colombia.
Uzbekistan, managed by former Italy World Cup-winning player Fabio Cannavaro, truly earned their spot in Group K, having to go through three different qualification stages before eventually prevailing and booking their ticket to the U.S. and Mexico, where they will open their campaign against Colombia at the Estadio Azteca.
Keep an eye out for Eldor Shomurodov, Uzbekistan’s captain, striker, and all-time leading goalscorer, who will be expected to lead by example in this tournament, as well as young Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, who has carved out an impressive role at the English club, starting in 15 Premier League matches this past season.
Colombia:
Coming off a runners-up finish at the 2024 Copa América and a history of competitive performances in past major international tournaments, Colombia is ready to make some noise at this year’s World Cup. Colombia are just 12 years removed from their magical run to the quarterfinals in Brazil in 2014, led by James Rodríguez, a young star who exploded on the world’s biggest stage and won the Golden Boot with six goals. Rodríguez is back, but this time as a seasoned veteran ready to lead a new generation of Colombians toward World Cup glory.
Although Colombia missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, they’ve rebounded impressively with their performance in the 2024 Copa América and have also dominated CONMEBOL qualifying, starting with an eight-game unbeaten run and finishing 7-4-7 to place third in the standings.
Under manager Néstor Lorenzo, Colombia enjoys dominating possession and is especially dangerous on set pieces. Alongside Rodríguez, Colombia’s most electrifying young star is Luis Díaz, who is coming off a stellar year with Bayern Munich, scoring 15 goals and adding 14 assists in the Bundesliga. Colombia will be hoping Díaz brings that excellent club form to the international level and helps establish Colombia as legitimate dark-horse contenders for the World Cup trophy.
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