World Cup 2026 Group K Predictions: Game 1

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Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo enter the World Cup fray on Wednesday as they face DR Congo in Houston, while Group K rivals Colombia and Uzbekistan clash in Mexico City as Elliott Bretland previews the action.

Luis Diaz was on target 26 times for Bayern Munich in the 2025-26 season

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to feature at his sixth World Cup for Portugal
Debutants Uzbekistan are managed by Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro
Colombia and DR Congo completed the line-up in Group K

Portugal kick off their World Cup campaign in Group K and face DR Congo in Houston at 6pm (BST) on Wednesday evening.

Colombia then take on Uzbekistan in Mexico City in the early hours of Thursday morning (3am BST).

Here we pick out the best Group K bets for the first games with Portugal and Colombia the favourites to earn maximum points.

Follow every World Cup 2026 score with LiveScore including Portugal vs DR Congo and Uzbekistan vs Colombia.

Best Bets:

Portugal vs DR Congo (Wednesday, 6pm)

Portugal begin their tournament in Houston but shouldn’t have a problem getting the better of DR Congo in their opening group game.

This will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last finals appearance and so of course the narrative centres around whether the 40-year-old can finally join Lionel Messi, Pele and Zinedine Zidane in the list of greats to have lifted the World Cup.

Fans and pundits alike wonder whether Ronaldo starting could have a negative impact on a fine Portugal side who function excellently as a team but, should Roberto Martinez use the iconic forward smartly, there is no doubting he can have a big influence on the campaign.

Portugal have lost just once since March 2025, winning their last three friendly matches against Nigeria, Chile and the United States.

DR Congo qualified for the World Cup after beating Jamaica 1-0 in the inter-confederation play-offs as Burnley defender Axel Tuanzebe scored an extra-time winner.

However, after a goalless friendly draw with Denmark, the Leopards lost to Chile last week and will likely struggle against Portugal.

Sebasiten Desabre’s side have managed just four goals in five matches against relatively average opposition and so backing Portugal to beat DR Congo to nil could be a smart move.

Martinez’s men have kept two clean sheets in their last four matches, including recording shutouts against World Cup co-hosts Mexico and the United States.

Score Prediction: Portugal 3-0 DR Congo

See the latest Portugal vs DR Congo odds on LiveScore Bet

Uzbekistan vs Colombia (Thursday, 3am)

Colombia will be aiming to get their World Cup 2026 campaign off to a winning start and will be favourites to get the better of debutants Uzbekistan on Thursday.

Luis Diaz scored seven goals in qualifying and will be hoping to continue his impressive form in front of goal against a White Wolves who have conceded four goals in their last two matches.

The winger has impressed with Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga and Champions League in the 2025-26 season, finding the net 26 times in 51 games.

Diaz will be among the top attacking threats at the World Cup and can get his tournament off to the perfect start by getting his name on the scoresheet against Uzbekistan.

Fabio Cannavaro’s White Wolves will set up defensively and look to frustrate but Colombia’s attack, which includes Luis Suarez of Sporting Lisbon and James Rodriguez, who won the Golden Boot back in 2014, should be too strong.

Backing Luis Diaz to score for Colombia in a game they should dominate looks the best play.