World Cup 2026 Group K: Teams, Qualification & Fixtures

Portugal and Colombia are the heavyweights. DR Congo return for the first time since 1974, when they competed as Zaire. Uzbekistan are the first Central Asian nation ever to qualify.

The four teams

Colombia

CONMEBOL

Qualification: Qualified directly through the South American qualifying league.
Appearances: 7th appearance, 1st since 2018
Best result: Quarter-finals (2014)

DR Congo

CAF

Qualification: Qualified via the inter-confederation play-offs in March 2026.
Appearances: 3rd appearance, 1st since 1974 (as Zaire)
Best result: Group stage (1974 as Zaire)

Returns after 52 years away — first World Cup since the country was known as Zaire.

Portugal

UEFA

Qualification: Qualified directly by winning their European qualifying group.
Appearances: 9th appearance, 7th consecutive
Best result: Third place (1966)

Uzbekistan

AFC

Qualification: Qualified via the AFC third round, finishing in the top two of their group.
Appearances: Debut appearance
Best result: —

First Central Asian nation to qualify for a men's World Cup. Won the AFC U-17 (2025) and U-20 (2023) titles in the build-up.

Group K fixtures

#	Date	Local	Match	Venue
21	Wed 17 Jun	12:00	Portugal v DR Congo	NRG Stadium, Houston
24	Wed 17 Jun	20:00	Uzbekistan v Colombia	Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
45	Tue 23 Jun	12:00	Portugal v Uzbekistan	NRG Stadium, Houston
48	Tue 23 Jun	20:00	Colombia v DR Congo	Estadio Akron, Guadalajara
69	Sat 27 Jun	19:30	Colombia v Portugal	Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
70	Sat 27 Jun	19:30	DR Congo v Uzbekistan	Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Times shown are stadium-local. View all kick-off times in your local timezone ›