FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K Preview: Ronaldo's Punt, Colombian Warcry, Congolese DReam, And Cannavaro's Uzbeki Unit

Last Updated:June 10, 2026, 13:00 IST

Ronaldo will have one final shot at the illustrious prize as Selecao das Quinas begin their campaign with group assignments against Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Group K.

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will have one final shot at the most illustrious prize in world football as Selecao das Quinas begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with group assignments against Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Group K.

South American powerhouse Colombia will look to thrill the world again with their unique brand of football, while DR Congo will end a five-dacade wait to feature in the spectacle. Uzbekistan are under the aegis of Italian icon Fabio Cannavaro, and would look to give a positive account of themselves.

Portugal

Portuguese talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has one final shot at redemption, and to go down in the history of the sport, as the Navigators look to surpass expectations at the quadrennial showpiece and bring the nation’s it first ever World Cup title.

Ronaldo’s deepest finish at the showpiece is a fourth-place finish as he helped Portugal to the semi-final finish of the 2006 edition, before they were ousted by France in the final-four and went on to succumb to hosts Germany in the third-place playoff.

Portugal have a loaded squad featuring some top-quality names, including Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Rafael Leao, and would look to surpass their predecessors, who secured a third place finish for the nation in 1966.

Full Squad:

Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rui Silva, Ricardo Velho, Rúben Dias, João Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Nuno Mendes, Nélson Semedo, Matheus Nunes, Gonçalo Inacio, Renato Veiga, Tomás Araújo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, João Neves, Rúben Neves, Samú Costa, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leão, João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos, Pedro Neto, Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Guedes, Francisco Trincão.

Manager: Roberto Martinez

Colombia

The South American nation, which stunned the world with their run to the quarter-final of the 2014 edition in Brazil, riding on James Rodrigues’ astronomical showings, would look to better themselves in what could be the icon’s last outing for the Cafeteros.

James wouldn’t have to shoulder all the responsibility for La Tricolour this time around though as Bayern Munich star Luis Diaz and Sporting CP sensation Luis Suarez lead the lines for the nation with a proud football landscape.

Full Squad:

David Ospina, Álvaro Montero, Camilo Vargas, Daniel Muñoz, Jhon Lucumí, Santiago Arias, Davinson Sánchez, Johan Mojica, Yerry Mina, Willer Ditta, Deiver Machado, Jorge Carrascal, Kevin Castaño, Gustavo Puerta, Juan Fernando Quintero, Juan Portilla, Jefferson Lerma, Richard Ríos, Jhon Arias, James Rodríguez, Jaminton Campaz, Luis Díaz, Jhon Córdoba, Luis Suárez, Andrés Gómez, Cucho Hernández

Manager: Nestor Lorenzo

DR Congo

DR Congo, who made the FIFA World Cup cut after a 52-year-wait, will look to bring their famous energy to North America when Les Leopards take to the field in the USA. DR Congo, who made it to the spectacle last in the year 1974 as ‘Zaire’, will look to fly their national flag with pride at the spectacle.

Full Squad:

Lionel Mpasi, Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo, Chancel Mbemba, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Gedeon Kalulu, Joris Kayembe, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Aaron Tshibola, Steve Kapuadi, Dylan Batubinsika, Noah Sadiki, Charles Pickel, Edo Kayembe, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Nathanaël Mbuku, Meschak Elia, Brian Cipenga, Gaël Kakuta, Théo Bongonda, Simon Banza, Yoane Wissa, Fiston Mayele, Cédric Bakambu

Manager: Sebastien Desabre

Uzbekistan

The legendary Fabio Cannavaro, who captained Italy to the 2006 World Cup in Germany, is back at the showpiece in a different capacity as he helms the Uzbeki side. The decorated defender would look to install some of the legendary Italian defensive abilities into his unit and intend to punch above their weight in the expanded World Cup.

Full Squad:

Utkir Yusupov, Botirali Ergashev, Abduvokhid Nematov, Avazbek Ulmasaliev, Jakhongir Urozov, Rustamjon Ashurmatov, Umarbek Eshmurodov, Abdukodir Khusanov, Abdulla Abdullaev, Farrukh Sayfiev, Khojiakbar Alijonov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Behruz Karimov, Sherzod Esanov, Umarali Rakhmonaliev, Akmal Mozgovoy, Otabek Shukurov, Jamshid Iskanderov, Azizjon Ganiev, Abbosek Fayzullaev, Jaloliddin Masharipov, Dostonbek Khamdamov, Oston Urunov, Azizbek Amonov, Igor Sergeev, Eldor Shomurodov

Manager: Fabio Cannavaro

Fixtures

17 June: Portugal vs Congo DR, Group K, Houston Stadium

17 June: Uzbekistan vs Colombia, Group K, Mexico City Stadium

23 June: Portugal vs Uzbekistan, Group K, Houston Stadium

23 June: Colombia vs Congo DR, Group K, Estadio Guadalajara

27 June: Colombia vs Portugal, Group K, Miami Stadium

27 June: Congo DR vs Uzbekistan, Group K, Atlanta Stadium

Home Bases

Mexico: Colombia (Tijuana)

Texas: DR Congo (Houston)

Florida: Portugal (Palm Beach Gardens)

Georgia: Uzbekistan (Atlanta)

News sports football FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K Preview: Ronaldo's Punt, Colombian Warcry, Congolese DReam, And Cannavaro's Uzbeki Unit

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