World Cup 2026 Group K: Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo, Uzbekistan
GROUP K COMPLETE, 1st: Colombia 7 pts (GD +3), qualified; 2nd: Portugal 5 pts (GD +5), qualified; 3rd: DR Congo 4 pts, advances as best third; 4th: Uzbekistan 0 pts, eliminated. MD1 (17 Jun): Colombia 3-1 Uzbekistan (Fayzullaev, first Uzbek WC goal), Portugal 1-1 DR Congo (Wissa, first Congolese WC goal since 1974). MD2 (23 Jun): Colombia 1-0 DR Congo (Muñoz 76'); Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan (Ronaldo ×2, first player ever to score at six different World Cups). MD3 (27 Jun): Colombia 0-0 Portugal; DR Congo 3-1 Uzbekistan.
The context
Group K at the 2026 World Cup was arguably the most compelling group of the entire tournament. Matchday 1 on June 17 set the tone: Colombia produced a composed 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, with Daniel Muñoz, Luis Díaz, and Jaminton Campaz on the scoresheet, while Abbosbek Fayzullaev wrote history by scoring Uzbekistan’s first-ever World Cup goal. At NRG Stadium in Houston, Portugal were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw by DR Congo: João Neves gave them the lead in the 6th minute, but Yoane Wissa equalised in first-half stoppage time (45+5’), handing the Congolese, absent from World Cups since 1974 as Zaire, one of the most emotionally charged points in African football history. Cristiano Ronaldo cut a frustrated figure, missing multiple chances.
Matchday 2 on June 23 delivered the group’s most memorable moment. Portugal dismantled Uzbekistan 5-0 at NRG Stadium: Ronaldo scored twice, and in doing so became the first player in the history of football to score at six different World Cups. No one had ever achieved the feat across so many editions of the tournament. Nuno Mendes, an own goal, and Rafael Leão completed the rout. Simultaneously, Colombia edged out DR Congo 1-0 at Guadalajara: Daniel Muñoz’s 76th-minute strike separated the sides despite DR Congo goalkeeper Lionel Mpasi making eight saves in a heroic display. Colombia were through; DR Congo needed a result on Matchday 3.
Matchday 3 on June 27 delivered a clean resolution. Colombia and Portugal played out a goalless draw that suited both sides, Colombia confirmed as group winners with 7 points, Portugal second with 5. In the other simultaneous match, DR Congo beat Uzbekistan 3-1 to secure a 4-point total, good enough to advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams across all 12 groups. Uzbekistan, who made their World Cup debut with 0 points and 2 goals across three matches, leave with Fayzullaev’s historic MD1 strike as their defining memory. Colombia enter the Round of 32 as one of the tournament’s most complete sides. Portugal will need a sharper Ronaldo in the knockout rounds.