WC 2026 Group K Guide: Squads and Fixtures

The 2026 World Cup Group K hosts two big legend stories of the tournament. UEFA Nations League champion Portugal carries the final flame on the road to winning the cup with Cristiano Ronaldo's record sixth World Cup participation; the 41-year-old captain is in pursuit of the first World Cup title in his history. Colombia comes to the tournament under Argentine manager Néstor Lorenzo led by James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz, who experienced Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich. Uzbekistan goes to its first World Cup adventure in history; Fabio Cannavaro, the 2006 World Cup winner and Ballon d'Or holder who was brought to the post in October 2025, manages the White Wolves. DR Congo returns to the World Cup 52 years after its only appearance under the name Zaire in 1974; under Sébastien Desabre, they grabbed the intercontinental playoff ticket by beating Jamaica 1-0 in extra time in March 2026. The group's matches will be played in the US cities of Houston (NRG Stadium), Miami (Hard Rock Stadium) and Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium) and the Mexican cities of Mexico City (Estadio Azteca) and Guadalajara (Estadio Akron).

Team Profiles and Announced Squads

🇵🇹 Portugal (Manager: Roberto Martínez) Spanish manager Martínez took office in January 2023 and carried Portugal to the UEFA Nations League title. Portugal completed UEFA Group F in first place and pocketed its ticket on November 16, 2025; the 9-1 big victory in Armenia away was one of the standout results of the qualifying process. Ninth World Cup participation in history; best result was third place in England 1966. Martínez announced the 26-man official squad on May 19 but the team is travelling with 27 players; additional fourth goalkeeper Ricardo Velho travels as a reserve — not on the official list, can only be added to the squad if a goalkeeper is injured. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) at 41 goes to the record sixth World Cup participation that no male player has ever achieved in history; with 143 international goals he is the all-time top scorer in men's international football. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) completed his season with a record 21 assists in the Premier League. Vitinha (PSG) takes team control as third in the 2025 Ballon d'Or ranking. João Neves (PSG — 21), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Rafael Leão (Milan), Nuno Mendes (PSG) and João Cancelo (Barcelona) blend experience with youth. The squad pays tribute with a symbolic spot in memory of Diogo Jota.

• Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting CP), José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers); +1 Ricardo Velho (Gençlerbirliği — reserve, not on official squad)
• Defenders: Rúben Dias (Manchester City), João Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP), Nélson Semedo (Fenerbahçe), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomás Araújo (Benfica)
• Midfielders: Vitinha (PSG — 2025 Ballon d'Or third), João Neves (PSG — 21), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
• Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr — captain, 41, record 6th WC, 143 international goals), Rafael Leão (Milan), João Félix (Al Nassr), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Francisco Trincão (Sporting CP), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad)

🇨🇩 DR Congo (Manager: Sébastien Desabre) French manager Desabre, in the role since August 2022, had worked in eight countries in Africa in his career. DR Congo returned 52 years after its only World Cup attended under the name Zaire in 1974 Germany. The Leopards, which completed the CAF qualifying process second behind Senegal in their group, went to the intercontinental playoff route; in the intercontinental final played against Jamaica in March 2026, Axel Tuanzebe made the score 1-0 with the goal he scored in the 100th minute and they guaranteed their ticket. Captain Chancel Mbemba (Lille) holds the country record with 107 international matches; rebuilt his career in seasons at Porto, Marseille and Lille after the difficult period at Newcastle United. Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis) at 35 is only one goal short of the country record of 22 international goals by Dieumerci Mbokani with 21 international goals. Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United) is in the forefront of the attack. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham) chose DR Congo despite playing in England youth national teams. Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley) similarly switched from England youth teams to Congo. Rocky Bushiri's place was taken by Aaron Tshibola due to injury.

• Goalkeepers: Lionel Mpasi (Rodez), Timothy Fayulu (Lugano), Joel Mall (Aarau)
• Defenders: Chancel Mbemba (Lille — captain, 107 caps, country record), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Arthur Masuaku (Lens), Gédéon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Joris Kayembe (Genk), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United), Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock — replacing injured Bushiri), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Łódź), Dylan Batubinsika (AEL Larisa)
• Midfielders: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille), Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier), Meschack Elia (Alanyaspor), Brian Cipenga (Castellón), Gaël Kakuta (AEL Larisa), Théo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow)
• Forwards: Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis — 35, 21 international goals), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United)

🇺🇿 Uzbekistan (Manager: Fabio Cannavaro) The 52-year-old Cannavaro, captain of Italy at the 2006 World Cup title and Ballon d'Or holder the same year, took over Uzbekistan on October 6, 2025; after Timur Kapadze pocketed the ticket, the Uzbekistan Football Federation had been in search of a more experienced manager. The White Wolves drew 0-0 with the United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on June 5, 2025, completing AFC third round group A second behind Iran, and guaranteed their first World Cup participation in history. They go to the big arena 34 years after the collapse of the Soviet Union, after seven failed qualification periods following their independence. In September 2025 they also won the regional title by beating Iran in the CAFA Nations Cup final. Captain Eldor Shomurodov (Istanbul Başakşehir — on loan from Roma) is the country's all-time top scorer with 44 international goals. Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City) became the first Uzbek to play in the Premier League by transferring from Lens to City for approximately 40 million Euros in January 2025. The 22-year-old defender played few minutes this season due to injury. Abbosbek Fayzullaev plays in attack as a creative number 10.

• Goalkeepers: Utkir Yusupov, Botir Abdusatorov, Sherzod Abdurahmonov
• Defenders: Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City — 22, first Uzbek to play in Premier League), Khojiakbar Alijonov, Umar Eshmurodov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Rustamjon Ashurmatov, Akramjon Komilov, Khojimat Erkinov
• Midfielders: Otabek Shukurov (Baniyas — 86 caps, second most-capped in squad), Jaloliddin Masharipov, Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Odiljon Khamrobekov, Abbos Atakhanov, Diyor Khojiakbarov, Azizbek Turgunboev, Khusayin Norchaev
• Forwards: Eldor Shomurodov (Istanbul Başakşehir — captain, 44 international goals, country record), Igor Sergeev (Persepolis — 24 international goals), Azizbek Amonov (Bukhara)

🇨🇴 Colombia (Manager: Néstor Lorenzo) Argentine manager Lorenzo took office two years ago and made Colombia complete the CONMEBOL qualifiers in third place with 28 points, the same points as Uruguay and Brazil but by goal difference, guaranteeing the ticket directly. Colombia goes to its seventh World Cup participation in history; the best result is the performance in the quarter-final in Brazil 2014 where James Rodríguez was the top scorer of the tournament. Lorenzo announced the 26-man squad in late May. Captain James Rodríguez (Minnesota United) is 34; goes to his second World Cup adventure eight years after his star turn at Brazil 2014. Had left Minnesota United on May 13 for the preparation camp. Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich) left Liverpool last summer and experienced the Bundesliga title; team's top scorer with 21 international goals in 72 international matches. Veteran goalkeeper David Ospina goes to his third World Cup participation. Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace), Davinson Sánchez (Galatasaray), Yerry Mina (Cagliari), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace) are experienced names. Jhon Durán was not included in the squad because he dropped form after transferring to Saudi Arabia. Colombia had lost to Argentina in Miami at the 2024 Copa America final.

• Goalkeepers: Camilo Vargas (Atlas), David Ospina (Al-Nassr — 3rd WC), Álvaro Montero (Millonarios)
• Defenders: Johan Mojica (Mallorca), Deiver Machado (Lens), Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace), Santiago Arias (Bahia), Davinson Sánchez (Galatasaray), Jhon Lucumí (Bologna), Yerry Mina (Cagliari), Willer Ditta (Cruzeiro)
• Midfielders: Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Richard Ríos (Benfica), Kevin Castaño (River Plate), Jorge Carrascal (Flamengo), James Rodríguez (Minnesota United — captain, 34), Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate), Gustavo Puerta (Racing de Santander), Juan Camilo Portilla (Athletico Paranaense), Jhon Arias (Palmeiras), Jamilton Campaz (Rosario Central)
• Forwards: Juan Camilo Hernández (Real Betis), Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich — 21 international goals, team's top scorer), Luis Suárez (Sporting CP — same name as Uruguay player), Carlos Andrés Gómez (Vasco da Gama), Jhon Córdoba (Krasnodar)

Group K Fixtures (Local Time)

Matchday 1 — Wednesday, June 17, 2026

• Portugal vs DR Congo | NRG Stadium, Houston (Texas) | 12:00 (local CT)
• Uzbekistan vs Colombia | Estadio Azteca, Mexico City (Mexico) | 20:00 (local — Mexico CST)

Matchday 2 — Tuesday, June 23, 2026

• Portugal vs Uzbekistan | NRG Stadium, Houston (Texas) | 12:00 (local CT)
• Colombia vs DR Congo | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara (Mexico) | 20:00 (local — Mexico CST)

Matchday 3 — Saturday, June 27, 2026

• Colombia vs Portugal | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami (Florida) | 19:30 (local/ET)
• DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (Georgia) | 19:30 (local/ET)

The group winner and runner-up will advance directly to the round of 32, while the third-placed team will be evaluated based on the performance of the third-place teams of other groups. The 8 best third-place teams will also join the round of 32.

Europe and Turkey Times

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

• Portugal - DR Congo: 19:00 CEST | 20:00 TST
• Uzbekistan - Colombia: 04:00 CEST (June 18) | 05:00 TST (June 18)

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

• Portugal - Uzbekistan: 19:00 CEST | 20:00 TST
• Colombia - DR Congo: 04:00 CEST (June 24) | 05:00 TST (June 24)

Saturday, June 27, 2026

• Colombia - Portugal: 01:30 CEST (June 28) | 02:30 TST (June 28)
• DR Congo - Uzbekistan: 01:30 CEST (June 28) | 02:30 TST (June 28)

Image: www.mlssoccer.com