Check out our other previews: Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Group I | Group J
Portugal
Best result: 3rd place, nine appearances, 5th in FIFA ranking
Portugal had high hopes in 2022, but their best performance remains the 1966 World Cup, when the Magricos generation, led by Eusebio and company, reached the semi-finals and finished third.
Road to the finals
After winning their first three matches, Portugal hosted Hungary with a chance to secure qualification, but Roberto Martinez's team delayed their ticket to the 2026 World Cup, which was only confirmed in the final round at Estadio do Dragão with a 9-1 thrashing of Armenia.
Key player
Roberto Martínez has a squad full of talent at his disposal, but our highlight is Bruno Fernandes. The midfielder is fresher than most of his teammates, as Manchester United did not play in European competitions, and he is coming off one of the best seasons of his career, crowned as Premier League Player of the Season after scoring nine goals and setting a record with 21 assists in the competition.
Editor's opinion
Underestimated by some, overrated by others. The Portuguese national team does not have a perfect squad, although it is one of the strongest in the world. Despite Roberto Martínez, who is expected to leave after the World Cup, not being a unanimous choice among fans, the world's best midfield trio – Joao Neves, Vitinha and Fernandes – and a top goalkeeper, Diogo Costa, allow the Portuguese team to dream of reaching the final.
And it would be the perfect moment, as this edition could mark the farewell of the legend Cristiano Ronaldo – who should not be a starter for the team.
Flashscore prediction
Despite being favourites, Portugal are unlikely to win every match in Group K. However, the Portuguese side should have no trouble finishing first and is expected to reach at least the quarter-finals, where they could even face Lionel Messi's Argentina.
If Roberto Martínez manages Cristiano Ronaldo's role well and finds stability in defence, Portugal could indeed become world champions.
Fixtures
June 17th, 19:00 CET: Portugal - RD Congo - NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas)
June 23rd, 19:00 CET: Portugal - Uzbekistan - NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas)
June 28th, 01:30 CET: Colombia - Portugal - Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
Colombia
Best result: Quarter-finals, seven appearances, 13th in FIFA ranking
The 2014 World Cup, with James Rodriguez shining, remains the best performance by the Cafeteros in the finals. After surprisingly missing out in 2022, Colombia returns to the competition at the end of the cycle for the generation that stood out in Brazil.
Road to the finals
Absent from the 2022 World Cup, Colombia made no mistakes in the CONMEBOL qualifiers and finished third, eight points clear of the play-off zone. Nestor Lorenzo's team, the former assistant to Jose Pekerman, started their campaign with eight consecutive games unbeaten.
Key player
James Rodriguez himself openly admits that Luis Díaz is now Colombia's main reference. The Bayern Munich winger had a great debut season in Germany, and his numbers (26 goals and 19 assists) mean he is seen not just as a game-changer, but also as the main threat to opposing goals.
Editor's opinion
Colombia arrives at the 2026 World Cup as one of the most interesting South American teams, even ahead of Brazil. In addition to Diaz and Rodriguez, Nestor Lorenzo's squad features the fighting spirit of Daniel Munoz in defence and the firepower found by Luis Suarez in Portugal. However, the defensive core and goalkeeper position raise many doubts for the tougher matches.
Flashscore prediction
Offensively, Colombia is a dangerous team, but defensive weaknesses mean the South Americans are only contenders for second place. On a good day, their front three can surprise any country, and that should be enough to reach at least the round of 16, as in 2018.
Fixtures
June 18th, 04:00 CET: Uzbekistan - Colombia - Estadio Banorte (Mexico City)
June 24th, 04:00 CET: Colombia - RD Congo - Estadio Akron (Zapopan)
June 28th, 00:30 CET: Colombia - Portugal - Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)
RD Congo
Best result: Group stage, one appearance, 46th in FIFA ranking
RD Congo, then known as Zaire, played in their only World Cup in 1974 and finished bottom of their group, with no points or goals scored. Their appearance was initially met with laughter due to a bizarre incident where a player broke from the wall to kick away a Brazil free-kick, but it later became infamous, given the circumstances the players faced and the threats they received from the country's dictatorial regime.
Road to the finals
After coming close to the finals in the last two editions, RD Congo was one of the last teams to qualify. The African side returns to the World Cup after beating Jamaica 1-0 in the play-off, thanks to a goal from Axel Tuanzebe.
Key player
After costing Newcastle almost 60 million euros, Yoane Wissa's season was a real disappointment. The striker only made his debut for the club in December due to injury problems and ended the season with three goals, mostly as a substitute. This World Cup could be the perfect moment to justify the investment and return to England with the status that took him to St. James' Park.
Editor's opinion
Despite the difficulties in qualifying and their limited World Cup history, RD Congo has players who could surprise in the tournament. Sadiki is coming off a good season at Sunderland and is one of the young talents to watch, as is Ngal'ayel Mukau, who is making his mark at Lille. The experience of players like Chancel Mbemba and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in defence could make the African side a tough opponent.
Flashscore prediction
RD Congo has the potential to be one of the surprises of the tournament. Individually, there is enough quality to believe they can challenge Colombia for second place. However, the team's preparation has been affected by the Ebola outbreak in the country, which could impact Sebastien Desabre's squad. Even so, reaching the round of 32 is within their grasp.
Fixtures
June 17th, 19:00 CET: Portugal - RD Congo - NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas)
June 24th, 04:00 CET: Colombia - RD Congo - Estadio Akron (Zapopan)
June 28th, 01:30 CET: RD Congo - Uzbekistan - Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)
Uzbekistan
Best result: World Cup debut, 50th in FIFA ranking
Uzbekistan is one of the debutants at the 2026 World Cup. The Asian team is reaching the finals for the first time, 35 years after gaining independence.
Road to the finals
By finishing second in their group, just two points behind Iran, Uzbekistan finally celebrated qualification for their first World Cup finals. A goalless draw against the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi made June 5th, 2025, a historic date for Uzbek football.
Key player
Eldor Shomurodov, the former Roma striker, will be Uzbekistan's main hope for goals at the World Cup, but the team's most important player is Abdukodir Khusanov. The Manchester City centre-back is the country's most highly rated player, and this season cemented his place in the Premier League, arriving at the World Cup with the confidence to lead a defence that will need to be at its best for Uzbekistan to dream big.
Besides Khusanov and Shomurodov, another player to watch is winger Abbos Fayzullaev, from Istanbul Basaksehir, who impressed during qualifying.
Editor's opinion
Timur Kapadze, the former head coach, has become Fabio Cannavaro's assistant, a decision likely based on the former Ballon d'Or winner's experience as a player. However, the Italian will need almost a miracle to compete with the other three teams in Group K.
Flashscore prediction
Group K is one of the toughest in the 2026 World Cup, and Uzbekistan's debut is likely to end without any points. Still, the element of surprise could make a difference and give the Uzbeks hope for a possible third place, which will be decided in the final round against RD Congo.
Fixtures
June 18th, 04:00 CET: Uzbekistan - Colombia - Estadio Banorte (Mexico City)
June 23rd, 19:00 CET: Portugal - Uzbekistan - NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas)
June 28th, 01:30 CET: RD Congo - Uzbekistan - Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)
The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament will feature 48 national teams and will be played in 16 modern stadiums.
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