Group K features two perennial powerhouses and two general newcomers — embodying the dichotomy of this new 48-team field.
At the top, Cristiano Ronaldo and a loaded Portugal side lead the way as a side that should like their chances at making a run toward a first-ever World Cup title. But then there is the exciting Colombia, which is no stranger to Cinderella runs on this stage.
While Uzbekistan is deemed the weakest of the group, they are led by a legendary figure: former Italian defender and World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro, who has done his best to instill the defensive structure that made his Azzuri so formidable at the turn of the century.
Portugal
- Region: UEFA
- Qualification: UEFA Group F winners
- Manager: Roberto Martinez
- World Cup appearances: 9
- Best finish: 3rd Place (1966)
It is customary that an entire generation (or two) of soccer fans believes Portugal’s national team is synonymous with Cristiano Ronaldo. In many ways, it is, but this squad is so much more.
With former West Brom and Belgium manager Roberto Martinez at the helm, Portugal is an attacking machine teeming with impactful, game-changing talent that can go far in the United States, even without their captain, Ronaldo, who will be appearing in his sixth World Cup at 41.
Still, how poetic would it be that four years after Messi finally got his hands on the World Cup Trophy, Ronaldo follows suit? The 2016 European champions should feel confident, regardless, as a quarterfinal appearance in Qatar four years ago should be the bare minimum this time around.
One Player To Watch: Bruno Fernandes
Having been under Ronaldo’s shadow for so long, this is the time for Fernandes to take over the Portuguese soccer landscape and make it his own.
Success has come few and far between with Manchester United, but the 31-year-old will be keen on proving that he is one of the best playmaking midfielders on the planet, and he could reach a completely different echelon if he can lead Portugal to a strong showing.
26-man roster
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton), Rui Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Ricardo Velho (Gençlerbirliği)
Defenders: Rúben Dias (Manchester City), João Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Nélson Semedo (Fenerbahçe), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting Lisbon), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomás Araújo (Benfica)
Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Vitinha (PSG), João Neves (PSG), Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Samú Costa (Mallorca)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), João Félix (Al Nassr), Gonçalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Francisco Trincão (Sporting Lisbon)
Colombia
- Region: CONMEBOL
- Qualification: CONMEBOL 3rd place
- Manager: Nestor Lorenzo
- World Cup appearances: 7
- Best finish: Quarterfinals (2014)
After missing out on the 2022 World Cup, Colombia is back as one of the more attractive attacking sides in the competition. They scored 28 goals in qualifying, led by the veteran attacking midfielder James Rodriguez, who dazzled 12 years ago in Los Cafeteros’ Cinderella run to the quarterfinals in Brazil.
They are comfortable in controlled chaos, specifically in the attack, as they rely on explosive wing play to keep the opposition on its toes.
One Player To Watch: Luis Diaz
Diaz is Colombia’s most explosive winger and one of the world’s top talents at the position. He is a force with Bayern Munich, the German powerhouse. He scored 15 goals with 14 assists in his first season in the Bundesliga, leading the famed side to yet another league title. It is the latest piece of silverware in his expanding trophy cabinet, which includes league titles in Portugal and England.
26-man roster
Goalkeepers: David Ospina (Atlético Nacional), Álvaro Montero (Vélez Sarsfield), Camilo Vargas (Atlas)
Defenders: Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace), Jhon Lucumí (Bologna), Santiago Arias (Independiente), Davinson Sánchez (Galatasaray), Johan Mojica (Mallorca), Yerry Mina (Cagliari), Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul), Deiver Machado (Nantes)
Midfielders: Jorge Carrascal (Flamengo), Kevin Castaño (River Plate), Gustavo Puerta (Racing Santander), Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate), Juan Portilla (Athletico Paranaense), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Richard Ríos (Benfica), Jhon Arias (Palmeiras), James Rodríguez (Minnesota United), Jaminton Campaz (Rosario Central)
Forwards: Luis Díaz (Bayern Munich), Jhon Córdoba (Krasnodar), Luis Suárez (Sporting CP), Andrés Gómez (Vasco da Gama), Cucho Hernández (Real Betis)
Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Region: CAF
- Qualification: Inter-Confederation Pathway 1 play-off winner
- Manager: Sebastien Desabre
- World Cup appearances: 2
- Best finish: Group Stage (1974)
The hurdles have been aplenty for DR Congo, who not only had to get through FIFA’s inter-confederation play-off to book a second-ever World Cup appearance, but they also had to be cleared to play after an Ebola outbreak that infected over 1,000 citizens and killed over 200.
The Leopards do not play the most attractive brand of soccer under Frenchman Sebastien Desabre, but it is effective. They are compact and force the opposition out wide, creating favorable matchups for their fullbacks, who can then spark play the other way down the wings.
One Player To Watch: Aaron Wan-Bissaka
A Premier League veteran who has played for Crystal Palace, Manchester United, and currently West Ham, Wan-Bissaka is one of those all-important fullbacks who are paramount to DR Congo’s success.
His presence alone was a huge coup for the country, as the 28-year-old initially stated his intentions to represent England at the senior level, but ultimately switched to his ancestral nation, making his debut last year.
26-man roster
Goalkeepers: Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre), Timothy Fayulu (FC Noah), Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege)
Defenders: Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Arthur Masuaku (Lens), Gedeon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Joris Kayembe (Genk), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham), Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Łódź), Dylan Batubinsika (AEL)
Midfielders: Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille), Nathanaël Mbuku (Montpellier), Meschak Elia (Alanyaspor), Brian Cipenga (Castellón), Gaël Kakuta (AEL), Théo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow)
Forwards: Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids FC), Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis)
Uzbekistan
- Region: AFC
- Qualification: AFC 3rd round Group A winners
- Manager: Fabio Cannavaro
- World Cup appearances: 1
- Best finish: N/A
After near misses, Uzbekistan is finally playing in a World Cup, with a legendary name leading the charge. Former defender, Ballon d’Or winner, and captain of Italy’s 2006 World Cup winner, Fabio Cannavaro, has worked his way back to soccer’s biggest stage as a manager, brought on after Uzbekistan qualified as an experienced force to guide the first-timers.
As expected, Uzbekistan will lean heavily on a compact, well-organized defense, though it will face its toughest tests yet in a group that features Portugal and Colombia. Not only will they rely on the counter-attack, but set pieces are a strength given the White Wolves’ physicality and size advantages.
Fabio Cannavaro: Uzbekistan ‘here to learn’ in 1st-ever World Cup | EXCLUSIVE
One Player To Watch: Abdukodir Khusanov
At just 22 years old, the central defender has already made history by becoming the first Uzbek to play in England’s famed Premier League — and he is doing so with powerhouses Manchester City. He starred at Lens in France’s Ligue 1, quickly developing into an all-around stalwart. He is a force in the air, and his recovery speed is more than above average.
26-man roster
Goalkeepers: Utkir Yusupov (Navbahor), Botirali Ergashev (AGMK), Abduvokhid Nematov (Nasaf)
Defenders: Avazbek Ulmasaliev (AGMK), Jakhongir Urozov (Dinamo Samarqand), Rustamjon Ashurmatov (Esteghlal), Umarbek Eshmurodov (Nasaf), Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City), Abdulla Abdullaev (Dibba Al Fujairah), Farrukh Sayfiev (Neftchi), Khojiakbar Alijonov (Pakhtakor), Sherzod Nasrullaev (Nasaf), Behruz Karimov (Surkhon)
Midfielders: Sherzod Esanov (Buxoro), Umarali Rakhmonaliev (Sabah), Akmal Mozgovoy (Pakhtakor), Otabek Shukurov (Baniyas), Jamshid Iskanderov (Neftchi), Azizjon Ganiev (Al Bataeh), Abbosek Fayzullaev (Istanbul Basaksehir), Jaloliddin Masharipov (Esteghlal), Dostonbek Khamdamov (Pakhtakor), Oston Urunov (Persepolis)
Forwards: Azizbek Amonov (Buxoro), Igor Sergeev (Persepolis), Eldor Shomurodov (Istanbul Basaksehir)
Group K schedule
- Wednesday, June 17: Portugal vs. DR Congo, 1 p.m. ET (Houston)
- Wednesday, June 17: Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, 10 p.m. (Mexico City)
- Tuesday, June 23: Portugal vs. Uzbekistan, 1 p.m. (Houston)
- Tuesday, June 23: Colombia vs. DR Congo, 10 p.m. (Zapopan)
- Saturday, June 27: Colombia vs. Portugal, 7:30 p.m. (Miami)
- Saturday, June 27: DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan, 7:30 p.m. (Kansas City)
For more like this World Cup Group K preview, visit AMNY.com
