Portugal is seen as the leading contender in Group K, but with Cristiano Ronaldo aging, there’s potential for surprises. Could Colombia, Uzbekistan, or the Democratic Republic of the Congo make an impact?
The following is a preview of World Cup Group K.
Teams are arranged by their likely finishing order.
Portugal
Odds of winning the group: -200
Key info: Cristiano Ronaldo remains a focal point for the Portugal squad; however, at 41 years old, it’s uncertain if the team is in peak form. In his last 10 matches leading up to this World Cup, Ronaldo scored only once—and that was a penalty. Interestingly, Portugal seems to play more cohesively without him, but the thought of him being sidelined in a World Cup is hard to imagine.
Playing style: Portugal often toggles between a three- and four-man backline, which allows them to maintain an aggressive press. Full-backs like Nuno Mendes and Diogo Dalot frequently push high up the pitch. While they can thrive without monopolizing possession, midfield talents such as Bruno Fernandes, Joao Neves, and Bernardo Silva bring substantial creativity to the game.
Star players: Even with all eyes on Ronaldo, Manchester United’s Fernandes is arguably the most reliable player for Portugal in recent seasons. Highly creative and constantly engaged, he has emerged as a genuine superstar.
World Cup performance: Historically, Portugal’s World Cup results don’t quite match their high expectations, having reached the semis just twice: 3rd place in 1966 and 4th in 2006. In recent tournaments, their best showing was a quarter-final exit to Morocco four years ago, when Ronaldo didn’t start in the knockout rounds.
Colombia
Odds: +200
Key info: Colombia’s team features remarkable talent, with notable players like Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez. Their attack is impressive, yet their defense raises concerns. Wins against Brazil and Argentina hint at their potential, but inconsistency—a recent surprising loss to Bolivia—poses challenges.
Playing style: Colombia embodies a style filled with joy and flair, deploying quick, dynamic football centered around Rodríguez, Diaz, and others. Under Nestor Lorenzo, they typically set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Star players: Diaz has been pivotal, but Rodriguez’s presence continues to draw attention. Diaz, a speedy winger excelling with Bayern Munich, possesses great skill and creativity, making him a standout for Colombia.
World Cup history: Colombia’s peak came in the memorable 2014 quarter-finals, where Rodriguez scored an iconic goal. They have participated in six World Cups, reaching the knockout stage three times. Surprisingly, they missed qualifying for the 2022 World Cup despite being Copa America runners-up in 2021.
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Odds: 14/1
Key info: After needing victories in playoffs to qualify for their first World Cup since 1974, the DRC defied odds by defeating Cameroon and Nigeria, culminating in a win over Jamaica with a late goal. Their squad features several European-based players, built by director Sebastian Desabre’s efforts to gather talent from the diaspora.
Playing style: Desabre generally prefers a four-man defense. The team can adapt to defend securely or split their setup in midfield, backed by players competing in Europe’s elite leagues.
Star players: Yoan Wissa, fresh off an impressive season with Brentford in the Premier League, is emerging as a crucial figure, despite a dip in form following his transfer to Newcastle.
World Cup history: The DRC’s only prior World Cup appearance was in 1974, back when they were known as Zaire. In that tournament, they lost all three matches without scoring, suffering a historically significant 9-0 defeat against Yugoslavia.
Uzbekistan
Odds: 35/1
Key info: Uzbekistan’s head coach is the legendary Italian defender Fabio Cannavaro, who aims to build on their first World Cup qualification last time around. His approach appears to emphasize a more defensive strategy.
Playing style: Uzbekistan might be seen as a team playing for draws, especially against stronger opponents like Portugal and Colombia, aiming to secure enough points as potential third-place qualifiers.
Star players: Abdukkodir Kusanov stands out as one of the few Uzbek players in Europe’s top leagues and has solidified his position at Manchester City, indicating a bright future ahead.
World Cup history: Uzbekistan has not participated in the World Cup previously, marking this tournament’s qualification as a historic achievement for the nation.
Group K World Cup Schedule
Portugal vs. Democratic Republic of the Congo, Wednesday, June 17, 1:00 p.m., Houston
Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, Wednesday, June 17, 10 p.m., Mexico City
Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, Tuesday, June 23, 1:00 p.m., Houston
Colombia vs. Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tuesday, June 23, 10 p.m., Guadalajara
Colombia vs. Portugal, Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m., Miami
Democratic Republic of the Congo vs. Uzbekistan, Saturday, June 27, 7:30 p.m., Atlanta
