FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K Preview: Ronaldo's Punt, Colombian Warcry, Congolese DReam, And Cannavaro's Uzbeki Unit

Published 10 June 2026 · sports

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K Preview: Ronaldo's Punt, Colombian Warcry, Congolese DReam, And Cannavaro's Uzbeki Unit Published By, Last Updated: June 10, 2026, 13:00

FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K Preview: Ronaldo's Punt, Colombian Warcry, Congolese DReam, And Cannavaro's Uzbeki Unit Published By, Last Updated: June 10, 2026, 13:00 IST Ronaldo will have one final shot at the illustrious prize as Selecao das Quinas begin their campaign with group assignments against Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Group K. Portugal coach Roberto Martinez instructs his players during an international friendly soccer match between Portugal and Chile in Oeiras, outside Lisbon, Saturday, June 6, 2026. (AP Photo/Armando Franca) Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo will have one final shot at the most illustrious prize in world football as Selecao das Quinas begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with group assignments against Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan in Group K. South American powerhouse Colombia will look to thrill the world again with their unique brand of football, while DR Congo will end a five-dacade wait to feature in the spectacle. Uzbekistan are under the aegis of Italian icon Fabio Cannavaro, and would look to give a positive account of themselves. Portugal Portuguese talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has one final shot at redemption, and to go down in the history of the sport, as the Navigators look to surpass expectations at the quadrennial showpiece and bring the nation’s it first ever World Cup title. Ronaldo’s deepest finish at the showpiece is a fourth-place finish as he helped Portugal to the semi-final finish of the 2006 edition, before they were ousted by France in the final-four and went on to succumb to hosts Germany in the third-place playoff.

Portugal have a loaded squad featuring some top-quality names, including Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Rafael Leao, and would look to surpass their predecessors, who secured a third place finish for the nation in 1966. Full Squad Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rui Silva, Ricardo Velho, Rúben Dias, João Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Nuno Mendes, Nélson Semedo, Matheus Nunes, Gonçalo Inacio, Renato Veiga, Tomás Araújo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, João Neves, Rúben Neves, Samú Costa, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leão, João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos, Pedro Neto, Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Guedes, Francisco Trincão. Manager: Roberto Martinez Colombia The South American nation, which stunned the world with their run to the quarter-final of the 2014 edition in Brazil, riding on James Rodrigues’ astronomical showings, would look to better themselves in what could be the icon’s last outing for the Cafeteros. James wouldn’t have to shoulder all the responsibility for La Tricolour this time around though as Bayern Munich star Luis Diaz and Sporting CP sensation Luis Suarez lead the lines for the nation with a proud football landscape. Full Squad David Ospina, Álvaro Montero, Camilo Vargas, Daniel Muñoz, Jhon Lucumí, Santiago Arias, Davinson Sánchez, Johan Mojica, Yerry Mina, Willer Ditta, Deiver Machado, Jorge Carrascal, Kevin Castaño, Gustavo Puerta, Juan Fernando Quintero, Juan Portilla, Jefferson Lerma, Richard Ríos, Jhon Arias, James Rodríguez, Jaminton Campaz, Luis Díaz, Jhon Córdoba, Luis Suárez, Andrés Gómez, Cucho Hernández Manager: Nestor Lorenzo DR Congo DR Congo, who made the FIFA World Cup cut after a 52-year-wait, will look to bring their famous energy to North America when Les Leopards take to the field in the USA.