Group K: Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, Colombia. Two attacking heavyweights — Portugal and Colombia — share a group with debutants Uzbekistan and a dangerous DR Congo. This is the most goal-friendly group on paper.

Key stats of each team

Below are numbers from each team's recent matches, computed from the ScanGoal database. Each card ends with auto-insights — what stands out in the data.

Portugal Portugal last 12 months · 11 matches
Goals for/game2.5
Goals against/game0.9
xG for/game2.5
xG against/game0.7
Over 2.5 goals55%
Both teams score55%
Corners/game6.2
Yellow cards/game1.4
Shots on target/game6.5
What the numbers say
  • a strong attack — 2.5 goals per game
  • works the flanks — 6.2 corners per game
  • creates real chances: 2.5 xG per game
Source: ScanGoal database (national-team matches, last 12 months)
DR Congo DR Congo last 12 months · 15 matches
Goals for/game1.2
Goals against/game0.6
xG for/game1.3
xG against/game0.6
Over 2.5 goals27%
Both teams score40%
Corners/game4.4
Yellow cards/game0.8
Shots on target/game3.8
What the numbers say
  • tilts under: under 2.5 goals in 73% of games
  • a tight defence — just 0.6 conceded per game
  • disciplined — only 0.8 yellows per game
Source: ScanGoal database (national-team matches, last 12 months)
Uzbekistan Uzbekistan last 12 months · 13 matches
Goals for/game1.3
Goals against/game0.9
Over 2.5 goals46%
Both teams score46%
Corners/game4.0
Yellow cards/game0.8
Shots on target/game3.2
What the numbers say
  • few corners — 4.0 per game
  • disciplined — only 0.8 yellows per game
Source: ScanGoal database (national-team matches, last 12 months)
Colombia Colombia last 12 months · 12 matches
Goals for/game2.5
Goals against/game0.9
Over 2.5 goals75%
Both teams score50%
Corners/game4.3
Yellow cards/game1.0
Shots on target/game5.6
What the numbers say
  • a high-scoring side: over 2.5 goals in 75% of games
  • a strong attack — 2.5 goals per game
  • disciplined — only 1.0 yellows per game
Source: ScanGoal database (national-team matches, last 12 months)

Form going in

Portugal Portugal — recent form WDWWWD
17.06.26Portugal1:1xG 0.7 : 0.8Congo DRWorld Cup 2026
10.06.26Portugal2:1xG 1.6 : 0.3NigeriaInternational Match
06.06.26Portugal2:1xG 1.5 : 0.6ChileFriendlies
01.04.26USA0:2xG 0.7 : 0.7PortugalFriendlies
29.03.26Mexico0:0PortugalFriendlies
16.11.25Portugal9:1xG 5.2 : 0.8ArmeniaNations League
DR Congo DR Congo — recent form DWD
17.06.26Portugal1:1xG 0.7 : 0.8Congo DRWorld Cup 2026
09.06.26Congo DR1:2xG 0.5 : 0.3ChileInternational Match
03.06.26Congo DR0:0DenmarkInternational Match

Who goes through

Portugal and Colombia are both good enough to qualify and should take the two spots, with Portugal favoured to top it. Uzbekistan's debut is historic but the step up is steep; DR Congo are the most likely to gatecrash.

Dark horse & possible upset

DR Congo are the dark horse: athletic, direct and capable of beating either favourite on the day. The upset scenario is DR Congo edging Colombia for second.

Squads: call-ups & shocks

Portugal's Roberto Martínez named Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, as captain for a record sixth World Cup, in a 27-man group carried with a symbolic “plus one” in memory of the late Diogo Jota. Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leão and Rúben Dias anchor the side; Mateus Fernandes, Ricardo Horta and Pedro Gonçalves were among those left out. Source: Al Jazeera.

Betting angles

Portugal and Colombia both post strong attacking numbers — this group is loaded with overs and BTTS value. Their head-to-head is one of the best 'goals' bets of the group stage.

Remember: totals, corners and cards are markets where our national-team data is most useful. Cross-check live odds and our Value Picks of the day; the handicap mechanics are covered in our Asian handicap guide.

Analysis only. Betting is 18+, please gamble responsibly.