2026 World Cup Group K preview, predictions

players/3903793/">Cristiano Ronaldo will be establishing a record when he plays in his sixth World Cup for portugal/">Portugal. He also could extend his mark by scoring in six consecutive tournaments. But the achievement he is hoping garner this summer in the United States is leading his country to its first title in soccer’s biggest international event.

While featuring some of the sports biggest names, the ultimate World Cup success has eluded Portugal since its first of nine appearances in 1966. Their collection of players is among the best in the world. The challenge will be for manager Roberto Martinez to find the right fit.

Martinez helped Belgium to its best-ever finish in 2018, so he knows how to navigate the tournament. He has Ronaldo and in-form stars, including three key players from Paris Saint-Germain, which won its second Champions League title in a row ahead of the tournament.

The group outlook for the Portuguese is manageable. Colombia looms as the biggest threat with its collection of players with experience in the Premier League and other major European leagues. DR Congo, which also has a strong presence across Europe, made it to the United States by winning its qualification tournament match against Jamaica. Uzbekistan managed its way through Asian qualifying to earn its first World Cup appearance, and might be overlooked by those that unable to look beyond their lack of international pedigree.

The formula to a deep run won’t rely exclusively on Ronaldo, who has become just one of many options in attack at the age of 41. The strength of the squad is the midfield led by the PSG duo of João Neves and Vitinha. The unit also has veterans Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes. Joining Ronaldo in the attack are a plethora of wingers, notably João Félix and Rafael Leao. The strength of the defense is at fullback with Nuno Mendes and Matheus Nunes both standouts at their respective left and right positions. The amount of talent across all the positions should lead to a first-place finish, but we’ve seen not all World Cup groups hold form. If the finishing is lacking, Portugal could face issues.

Key players: Cristiano Ronaldo, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha.

The deepest run for Colombia was a quarterfinal appearance in 2014. This group is loaded with players in the biggest leagues and has the ability to make a run after finishing third in South American qualifying. Luis Díaz of Bayern Munich and Luis Suárez of Sporting Lisbon bring offensive firepower. Veteran talisman James Rodriguez, who was the star of the 2014 run, returns at the age of 34 and could be a creative outlet that knits the attack together. Another threat will be Daniel Muñoz, a right back that joins the offense at Crystal Palace and has the quality to cross and find goals.

Key players: Luis Díaz, Luis Suárez, Daniel Muñoz.

Making just its second World Cup appearance and first since 1974, DR Congo blends key players at top clubs and others further down the ladder. The Leopards need Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa to find his scoring form after a disappointing first season following a move from Brentford. The midfield will lean on Noah Sadiki, who was a centerpiece for Sunderland in helping the club reach Europa League qualification. The defense is anchored by captain Chancel Mbemba. Solidity at the back will be crucial against the offenses of Colombia and Portugal if DR Congo is to advance.

Key players: Yoane Wissa, Chancel Mbemba, Noah Sadiki.

The rise of the White Wolves has slowly been coming with regular participantion in youth World Cups and the Olympics that has built a foundation of young talent that blossomed with the country’s first qualification. The gem is Abdukodir Khusanov, a physical and ridiculously fast defender that has shined for Manchester City this season and is only 22 years old. Up front, captain Eldor Shomurodov led the Super Lig in Turkey with 22 goals for İstanbul Başakşehir. The strategy for advancement will be relying on a defense that allowed just seven goals in 10 World Cup qualifiers and being opportunistic when scoring chances come.

Key players: Abdukodir Khusanov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Eldor Shomurodov.

• Wednesday, June 17, 1 p.m. (Fox): DR Congo vs. Portugal, NRG Stadium (Houston)

• Wednesday, June 17, 10 p.m. (FS1): Colombia vs. Uzbekistan, Estadio Banorte (Mexico City)

• Tuesday, June 23, 1 p.m. (Fox): Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, NRG Stadium (Houston)

• Tuesday, June 23, 10 p.m. (FS1): Colombia vs. DR Congo, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)

• Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (Fox): Colombia vs. Portugal, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)

• Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (FS1): DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

Wednesday, June 17, 1 p.m. (Fox): DR Congo vs. Portugal, NRG Stadium (Houston)

Wednesday, June 17, 10 p.m. (FS1): Colombia vs. Uzbekistan, Estadio Banorte (Mexico City)

Tuesday, June 23, 1 p.m. (Fox): Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, NRG Stadium (Houston)

Tuesday, June 23, 10 p.m. (FS1): Colombia vs. DR Congo, Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, Mexico)

Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (Fox): Colombia vs. Portugal, Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Fla.)

Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m. (FS1): DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)

MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)

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MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)

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Estadio Akron –Guadalajara, Mexico

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SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California

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Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida

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Levi’s Stadium – Santa Clara, California

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Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia

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Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 World Cup Group K: Preview, predictions, schedule