Portugal’s captain, Cristiano Ronaldo, has started training with the national team in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After recovering from recent physical issues and returning to play with Al-Nassr, Ronaldo has joined Roberto Martinez’s squad as Portugal gears up for another major tournament.
At 41 years old, Ronaldo is heading into his sixth World Cup, still in search of the one trophy that eludes his international career. With Portugal now in camp, the focus shifts to Group K, where the team will compete against Colombia, Uzbekistan, and DR Congo.
Will Portugal or Colombia emerge as the top team?
While Group K may not appear to be the most challenging section of the 2026 World Cup at first glance, it features a significant showdown. Portugal and Colombia are the clear favorites, and their final group match could determine who finishes at the top.
Uzbekistan enters the tournament as a historic debutant, bolstered by structure and belief, while DR Congo brings athleticism, pace, and the freedom of a team that has little to lose.
Portugal is regarded as the favorite due to its squad depth, tournament experience, and attacking prowess. This team is no longer solely centered around Ronaldo, although his presence remains a dominant storyline.
Martinez has elite players across the pitch: Ruben Dias provides authority in defense, Nuno Mendes offers speed and width on the left side, Vitinha controls the rhythm in midfield, Bruno Fernandes contributes creativity in the final third, and Bernardo Silva is one of the smartest possession players in world football.
Portugal’s best strategy in the group is not merely to rely on Ronaldo but to maintain tempo throughout the team. At 41, he can still influence matches within the box, attack crosses, and capitalize on defensive errors, but the team must ensure they operate with sufficient pace. If Portugal becomes too slow or overly sentimental, Colombia may seize the opportunity.
The opening match against DR Congo presents Portugal with a chance to start the tournament strongly. This fixture will require patience, as DR Congo is unlikely to control the ball but has the athletic power to make quick transitions challenging. With Cedric Bakambu’s experience, Yoane Wissa’s directness, and a solid defensive unit, they can pose problems if Portugal becomes careless.
For Martinez’s team, controlling the opening game is essential. Scoring early, managing emotional weight, and avoiding physical confrontations will be key. A victory in this match would allow Portugal to approach the game against Uzbekistan with more freedom before the likely group decider against Colombia.
Colombia is not just aiming for second place
Nestor Lorenzo has instilled belief in a side filled with quality and character. Colombia finished third in South American qualifying behind Argentina and Ecuador, which illustrates their consistency. Luis Diaz provides elite explosiveness from the wings, James Rodriguez offers vision and set-piece expertise, and Jhon Arias brings movement, pressing, and creativity.
The critical factor for Colombia is rhythm.
When they play confidently, they can make games feel dynamic and fast, which could disadvantage Portugal, especially if the European side becomes overly structured or cautious. Their opening match against Uzbekistan is crucial because a win would allow Colombia to approach the remainder of the group play with confidence, while a draw could complicate matters since DR Congo will not be an easy opponent.
The final match against Portugal in Miami promises all the excitement of a true group-stage showdown. It could potentially be Ronaldo’s last World Cup group game, could determine who finishes first, and may also impact the path to the Round of 32.
While Portugal boasts more individual talent, Colombia has enough attacking threat to make the encounter uncomfortable.
Uzbekistan is the wild card in this group. As the country makes its first World Cup appearance, the significance of the tournament is immense. However, Uzbekistan is not just coming for the experience and national pride, because they arrived through Asian qualifying with discipline, defensive organization, and enough attacking talent to compete effectively.
Eldor Shomurodov serves as the clear attacking reference for Uzbekistan, while Abdukodir Khusanov is a high-level defender who can handle pressure effectively. Abbosbek Fayzullaev is also a critical player, as he has the ability to carry the ball and connect the midfield to the attack.
Their challenge will be their speed of adaptation, as debutants in the World Cup have little time to settle in, and facing Colombia on the opening day is a difficult task, but not impossible.
If Uzbekistan can secure a point from that match, the dynamics of the group will shift significantly.
Four points might be enough to advance in the expanded format, and even three points could keep their hopes alive for a third-place finish, depending on goal difference. This makes their match against DR Congo potentially decisive.
So, Congo is expected to be the underdog among the four teams, but they possess a dangerous spoiler profile.
They qualified for the tournament through the inter-confederation playoff route, leaving Nigeria, Togo, and Cameroon behind, and teams that succeed in that manner often arrive with a hardened mentality. The squad features powerful players, direct runners, and enough experience from European leagues to avoid being overwhelmed.
Their best chance lies in turning games into contests of individual duels rather than lengthy tactical battles, and while this may not suffice against Portugal, it could pose problems for Colombia if the South Americans leave space.
When facing Uzbekistan, it may turn into a true knockout-style battle for third place. So, here we go to the predictions: Portugal is likely to win Group K, but it will not be an easy path.
The team is deep, experienced, and technically polished, making them the favorites, but there is a concern that the narrative surrounding Ronaldo could overshadow the football.
If coach Martinez maintains the team’s balance, Portugal has the necessary tools to finish first, with Colombia as the primary challenger for the top spot.
Uzbekistan appears to be the strongest candidate for third place, given its organization, defensive structure, and historic momentum as it makes its first World Cup appearance.
DR Congo has the physicality and directness to make matches uncomfortable, but their lack of control over three games may leave them at the bottom of the group.
Portugal boasts a deeper squad, while Colombia poses a significant upset threat. Ultimately, Group K should belong to Ronaldo’s team, but if they falter, Colombia is more than capable of capitalizing on the opportunity.
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