FIFA World Cup 2026: The ultimate guide to Group K

KATHMANDU: The 2026 FIFA World Cup introduces a historic 48-team format, placing Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and Congo DR into a highly competitive Group K.

From Cristiano Ronaldo’s final shot at World Cup glory to Uzbekistan’s historic debut, this group promises immense drama, elite star power, and fierce narrative threads.

Group K Squad Lists

Portugal

• Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), José Sá (Wolves), Rui Silva (Real Betis), Ricardo Velho (Farense)

• Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Nélson Semedo (Fenerbahçe), João Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Tomás Araújo (Benfica)

• Midfielders: Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Samuel Costa (Mallorca), João Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

• Forwards: João Félix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

• Manager: Roberto Martínez

Colombia

• Goalkeepers: Camilo Vargas (Atlas), Álvaro Montero (Millonarios), David Ospina (Atlético Nacional)

• Defenders: Davinson Sánchez (Galatasaray), Jhon Lucumí (Bologna), Yerry Mina (Cagliari), Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul), Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace), Santiago Arias (Bahia), Johan Mojica (Mallorca), Deiver Machado (Lens)

• Midfielders: Richard Ríos (Palmeiras), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Kevin Castaño (Krasnodar), Juan Camilo Portilla (Talleres), Gustavo Puerta (Bayer Leverkusen), Jhon Arias (Fluminense), Jorge Carrascal (Dynamo Moscow), Juan Fernando Quintero (Racing Club), James Rodríguez (Minnesota United), Jaminton Campaz (Rosario Central)

• Forwards: Juan Camilo Hernández (Columbus Crew), Luis Díaz (Liverpool), Luis Suárez (Almería), Carlos Andrés Gómez (Real Salt Lake), Jhon Córdoba (FC Krasnodar)

• Manager: Néstor Lorenzo

Uzbekistan

• Goalkeepers: Utkir Yusupov (Navbahor), Abduvohid Nematov (Nasaf), Botirali Ergashev (Neftchi)

• Defenders: Rustam Ashurmatov (Rubin Kazan), Farrukh Sayfiev (Navbahor), Khojiakbar Alijonov (Pakhtakor), Sherzod Nasrullaev (Nasaf), Umar Eshmurodov (Nasaf), Abdukodir Khusanov (Lens), Abdulla Abdullaev (Khor Fakkan), Bekhruz Karimov (Olympic), Jakhongir Urozov (Eyüpspor), Avazbek Ulmasaliev (AGMK)

• Midfielders: Otabek Shukurov (Fatih Karagümrük), Jaloliddin Masharipov (Esteghlal), Odiljon Hamrobekov (Pakhtakor), Oston Urunov (Persepolis), Jamshid Iskanderov (Navbahor), Dostonbek Khamdamov (Pakhtakor), Abbosbek Fayzullaev (CSKA Moscow), Akmal Mozgovoy (Nasaf), Azizjon Ganiev (Shabab Al Ahli), Sherzod Esanov (Olympic)

• Forwards: Eldor Shomurodov (Cagliari), Igor Sergeev (BG Pathum United), Azizbek Amonov (Khor Fakkan)

• Manager: Fabio Cannavaro

Congo DR

• Goalkeepers: Mathieu Epolo (Standard Liège), Timothy Fayulu (Sion), Lionel Mpasi (Rodez)

• Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Saint-Étienne), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Gédéon Kalulu (Lorient), Steve Kapuadi (Legia Warsaw), Joris Kayembe (Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Beşiktaş), Chancel Mbemba (Marseille), Axel Tuanzebe (Ipswich Town), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham)

• Midfielders: Théo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Paços de Ferreira), Meschack Elia (Young Boys), Gaël Kakuta (Amiens), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanaël Mbuku (Augsburg), Samuel Moutoussamy (Nantes), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Cremonese), Noah Sadiki (Union SG)

• Forwards: Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Braga), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Brentford)

• Manager: Sébastien Desabre

Team Previews & Tactical Context

Portugal: Ronaldo’s Last Dance

At 41 years old, Cristiano Ronaldo enters his 6th World Cup, looking to crown his legendary career with the one major trophy missing from his cabinet. The 5-time Ballon d’Or winner is the highest-scoring international player in history with 143 goals in 226 appearances. Despite a tough club season with Al Nassr due to hamstring struggles, he remains the focal point of a star-studded squad alongside Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.

Under manager Roberto Martínez, Portugal will look to bounce back from an unsettling 2-0 defeat to Ireland in qualifiers and redeem their 2022 Qatar exit, where they were stunned 1-0 by Morocco in the quarter-finals. The team is also playing with a deeper emotional purpose, dedicating their campaign to winger Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident last year shortly after their Nations League triumph.

Colombia: The Return of Los Cafeteros

After shockingly failing to qualify for the 2022 edition, Colombia is back on the world stage under Argentinian manager Néstor Lorenzo. Sitting 13th in the FIFA World Rankings, they are led by veteran captain James Rodríguez, who recently moved to MLS side Minnesota United to guarantee peak playing fitness. Rodríguez famously won the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup with 6 goals. With dynamic forward Luis Díaz leading the frontline, Colombia provides the ultimate group-stage test for Portugal.

Uzbekistan: The Historic Debutants

Making their first-ever World Cup appearance as an independent nation, Uzbekistan capitalized perfectly on the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams. While coach Timur Kapadze led them through successful Asian qualifiers, the Uzbekistan Football Association made a blockbuster statement by appointing Italian World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro as manager. Led on the pitch by talismanic captain Eldor Shomurodov, the “White Wolves” are the ultimate wildcards of Group K.

Congo DR: Healing Through Football

Congo DR qualifies for its second World Cup in history—their first appearance coming 52 years ago in 1974 when they competed as Zaire. The Leopards booked their ticket to the 2026 tournament following a dramatic 1-0 extra-time playoff victory against Jamaica in Guadalajara. Managed by Sébastien Desabre, the team aims to bring immense joy to a homeland historically burdened by internal conflict. They rely heavily on the inspirational leadership of Marseille defender Chancel Mbemba and veteran forward Cédric Bakambu.

Group K Match Schedule (Nepali Time)

Portugal vs Congo – 17 June, 10:45 PM – Houston Stadium, Houston
Uzbekistan vs Colombia – 18 June, 7:45 AM – Mexico City (Estadio Azteca)
Portugal vs Uzbekistan – 23 June, 10:45 PM – Houston Stadium, Houston
Colombia vs Congo – 24 June, 7:45 AM – Guadalajara (Estadio Akron)
Colombia vs Portugal – 28 June, 5:15 AM – Miami (Hard Rock Stadium)
Congo vs Uzbekistan – 28 June, 5:15 AM – Atlanta (Mercedes-Benz Stadium)