2026 FIFA World Cup Group K preview, betting odds, prediction
Group K features one of the best sides never to have won a World Cup, Portugal; a talented dark horse, Colombia; and two newcomers to the world stage, Uzbekistan and DR Congo.
Ageless wonder Cristiano Ronaldo joins Argentina’s Lionel Messi to become the first two players to ever feature in six World Cups. Can Ronaldo join Messi and hoist the World Cup trophy at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19?
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Group K odds
The Portuguese are the favourites by a country mile to win this group at -250, followed by Colombia (+275), which missed the last World Cup in Qatar. DR Congo is listed at +1000 to win the group, followed well behind by Uzbekistan at +2800.
This is Portugal’s seventh straight World Cup appearance. They reached the quarterfinals in Qatar four years ago, their best finish since a fourth-place showing behind legendary Eusebio in England in 1966. The Colombians were a disappointing no-show four years ago, after reaching the Round of 16 in Russia in 2018, and the quarterfinals in Brazil in 2014.
DR Congo qualified for the 1974 World Cup in West Germany, when it was known as Zaire, becoming the first Sub-Saharan African team to do so. It was outscored 14-0 in three matches and looks to offer a stiffer defence 52 years later. Uzbekistan is the first Central Asian nation and third former Soviet Republic (after Russia and Ukraine) to qualify for a World Cup.
Portugal preview and analysis
The Portuguese are stacked for Ronaldo’s swan song. He is already the only player in history to score in five consecutive World Cups, and he has eight total tallies in 22 career appearances. He continues to tear up the Saudi Pro League with Al Nassr, scoring 28 goals this season.
Bruno Fernandes is coming off a Premier League Player of the Year campaign after recording nine goals and a single-season record 21 assists for Manchester United. The list goes on and on. Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Diogo Costa, Rafael Leão, João Félix, Nuno Mendes, on and on. Stud players for stud clubs like PSG, Man City, Barcelona, and Juventus.
Portugal is the clear bet to win Group K. They have superior squad depth and world-class talent. They are +450 to reach the final, and +1000 to win it all.
Colombia preview and analysis
The Colombians are confident, well-coached, and determined to atone for missing this tournament entirely four years ago. After combining for 26 goals and 19 assists in all competitions in a glorious debut for Bayern Munich, Luis Diaz could be one of the World Cup’s breakout stars.
James Rodriguez became a household name when he won the Golden Boot at Brazil in 2014. He has slipped into the shadows, most recently with Minnesota in MLS, but look for him to provide steady veteran leadership, with a touch of his old flair. Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz and Galatasaray’s Davinson Sanchez lead a composed defence. The biggest question for the Colombians, who are +350 to get eliminated in the Round of 16, and +500 to get knocked out in the quarters, is depth. One or two starters get knocked out, and they could be in trouble.
DR Congo preview and analysis
You’ll recognize a few names on Congo’s squad, but not many. Yoane Wissa (Newcastle), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham, formerly Manchester United), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland) and Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley) have had moments in the Premier League, and Cedric Bakambu is a legitimate scoring option who tallied a few times for La Liga’s Real Betis last season.
Congo’s blueprint should be Cameroon’s debut in Italy in 1990. That was another physical, athletic side that never quit. That’s just the attitude this side will need to retain to make it out of the group, which would be a dream scenario.
Uzbekistan preview and analysis
Crazier things have happened at the World Cup, but unless Pakhtakor Tashkent, traditionally the Uzbekistan Super League’s top team, is stacked with international talent, this should be a three-and-done tournament for the Uzbekis.
Several players are expected to come from Pakhtakor, but Uzbekistan’s top player is Eldor Shomurodov, who had 22 goals and five assists with Istanbul Basaksehir while on loan from Serie A’s AS Roma in 2025-26. He can regularly find the back of the net, but he most likely won’t find too many chances. Uzbekistan is -135 to finish bottom of Group K, and Congo (+137) is its only real threat there.
2026 FIFA World Cup Group B Prediction: Dual Forecast Exact Order – 1st: Portugal | 2nd: Colombia (+100)
Portugal-Colombia on Saturday night, June 27, in Miami, is one of the group stage’s must-see contests. Colombia could easily win that game and the group, but Portugal, which won the 2016 European Championship, feels destined to make a mark in what has to be Ronaldo’s last World Cup. Right?
Best Bet: Dual Forecast Exact Order – 1st: Portugal | 2nd: Colombia (+100)
Group Winner: Portugal (-250)