Colombia vs DR Congo Prediction: World Cup 2026 Preview & Best Bets | OneFootball

Colombia vs DR Congo | Group K, Matchday 2 | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 | 8:00 PM local (UTC-6) | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara (Zapopan), Mexico | Watch live on Fox Sports

Colombia sit top of Group K with three points after their opening win. DR Congo are second on one point following their draw with Portugal. A Colombia win here puts them in a strong position to reach the Round of 16; DR Congo need a result to stay in contention.

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What’s at Stake

Three points separate first from last in Group K after Matchday 1, and this fixture will likely settle the top two. Colombia, already with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan behind them, can secure knockout qualification with a second straight victory. DR Congo, level on points with Portugal after a creditable 1-1 draw, cannot afford another draw if Portugal beat Uzbekistan, making this a game DR Congo need to approach with genuine attacking intent despite facing the group favorites. The winner almost certainly books a Round of 16 berth; the loser faces a nervy final matchday.

Verdict

Colombia are the clear favorites here, and the case for a straightforward home win is backed by their clinical group-stage opener, the quality gap in squad depth, and a DR Congo side that is still finding its feet at a finals for the first time in 52 years. Colombia to win at -192 (best available at BetOnline and Lucky Rebel) reflects their genuine superiority, and backing the under 2.5 goals at -143 adds a sensible insurance layer given DR Congo’s defensive organization against Portugal.

Colombia vs DR Congo Match Preview

Colombia under Nestor Lorenzo have developed into one of CONMEBOL’s most cohesive units, and their 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan on Matchday 1 underlined exactly why. Luis Diaz, Jaminton Campaz, and Daniel Munoz all scored, showcasing the spread of goal threats that makes this Colombia side difficult to contain. Lorenzo’s system channels the ball quickly through midfield, releasing wide attackers in transition, and James Rodriguez continues to orchestrate from deeper positions with 126 caps worth of big-game experience behind him. This is their seventh World Cup appearance, and they arrive with the quarterfinal memory of 2014 driving a desire to go further.

DR Congo’s story is genuinely remarkable. This is only their second World Cup finals appearance ever, and their first under the DR Congo name, with their only previous tournament being the 1974 group stage as Zaire. Their qualifying route was one of the tournament’s more demanding: finishing second behind Senegal in their CAF group, then eliminating Cameroon and Nigeria in the African playoff rounds before a narrow 1-0 extra-time victory over Jamaica secured their place. That resilience is real. But the step up in class from CAF qualifying to facing a CONMEBOL side of Colombia’s quality is substantial.

Yoane Wissa’s 1-1 equalizer against Portugal was a genuine landmark: DR Congo’s first ever World Cup goal. That momentum matters, and the Leopards will not arrive at Estadio Akron in a defensive crouch. But Colombia’s firepower, game management, and tournament experience represent a different challenge entirely. Where the game is won or lost likely comes down to whether DR Congo can neutralize Luis Diaz and James Rodriguez in the first half-hour, or whether Colombia find an early goal that forces the Africans to open up.

Team Form

Colombia Recent Form

Colombia’s form picture is encouraging where it matters most. Their one competitive match at this tournament ended in a controlled 3-1 win. The pre-tournament losses to France and Croatia came against top-tier European opposition and were against the grain of a longer unbeaten run under Lorenzo. The wins over Jordan and Costa Rica in final preparation confirmed the attacking mechanisms were running smoothly before Mexico.

DR Congo Recent Form

DR Congo’s preparatory results signal a defensively compact side capable of absorbing pressure. The 1-1 against Portugal is the standout result and cannot be dismissed: it was earned, not fortunate, with Wissa’s goal demonstrating real attacking threat on the counter. The loss to Chile and the goalless draw with Denmark suggest limited potency against organized defenses, which Colombia are well placed to replicate.

Colombia vs DR Congo Head-to-Head

These two nations have never previously met in international football, so there is no historical head-to-head record to draw upon. With DR Congo making only their second World Cup finals appearance after 1974, and Colombia absent from that tournament, the two nations have simply not crossed paths in competitive or friendly action before. This match will set the record and create its own reference point.

Team News

Colombia’s squad is fully announced and there are no reported injuries or suspensions affecting their first-choice selections. Nestor Lorenzo has the depth to rotate without weakening significantly, though after a winning opening, the incentive to change a settled lineup is limited. Luis Diaz, now at Bayern Munich and arriving at what is widely regarded as the peak of his powers, is central to everything Colombia do going forward. James Rodriguez carries the creative load from midfield and has the tournament experience from 2014 and 2018 to manage big-game moments. The balance between that veteran influence and the directness of younger attackers like Jhon Arias and Cucho Hernandez gives Lorenzo real flexibility.

DR Congo head into this game managed by Sebastien Desabre, who guided them through one of the most arduous qualifying campaigns in this cycle. Captain Chancel Mbemba, with 109 caps, brings genuine leadership in a backline that held Portugal for long stretches. Cedric Bakambu, DR Congo’s top scorer in qualifying with four goals, leads the line and will be the focal point of any counter-attacking threat. Yoane Wissa’s energy from wide positions adds a second dimension. There are no confirmed suspensions from the opening draw, meaning Desabre should have his first-choice selection available.

Predicted Lineups

Colombia (4-2-3-1): Vargas; Munoz, Davinson Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Lerma, Richard Rios; Jhon Arias, James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz; Jhon Cordoba (c)

Predicted XI – squads to be confirmed.

DR Congo (4-3-3): Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba (c), Tuanzebe, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Charles Pickel, Edo Kayembe; Wissa, Bakambu, Meschak Elia

Predicted XI – squads to be confirmed.

Key Tactical Matchup

The contest between Luis Diaz and DR Congo’s right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka is likely to define this match. Diaz scored in the Uzbekistan game and has been Colombia’s most consistent attacking weapon across the recent form stretch. Wan-Bissaka, a disciplined defensive full-back by nature, has the recovery pace to stay with wingers, but Diaz’s ability to cut inside off the left and combine in tight spaces with James Rodriguez represents a different challenge. If Colombia can isolate that corridor in transition, the goals will come from that side of the pitch. DR Congo’s defensive shape held firm against Portugal for long periods, but Portugal did not have a wide threat of Diaz’s caliber operating at this level.

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Main Pick: Colombia to Win (-192, BetOnline / Lucky Rebel)

Colombia opened with a convincing 3-1 victory against Uzbekistan, with three different scorers confirming their attacking variety. DR Congo’s 1-1 draw with Portugal showed spirit but also exposed limitations against creative European pressing. The class differential in this fixture is meaningful. Colombia to win is the Colombia vs DR Congo best bet here.

Goals Market: Under 2.5 Goals (-143, BetOnline)

DR Congo held Portugal to 1-1 in their opener, a result that underlines their defensive discipline under Desabre. Colombia are not a side that concedes carelessly either. The Colombia vs DR Congo odds for under 2.5 at -143 represent fair value given both sides’ recent form profiles, and a 1-0 or 2-0 Colombia result fits the game’s most likely script.

Scorer Market: Luis Diaz Anytime Scorer

Diaz has seven goals in his recent international scoring run and opened his account at this tournament against Uzbekistan. He operates centrally in Colombia’s attack despite his wide starting position and will likely face a Wan-Bissaka matchup that presents opportunities. Among the Colombia vs DR Congo picks, Diaz at anytime scorer is the most evidence-backed individual selection.

Optional: Colombia Win to Nil

DR Congo scored their first ever World Cup goal against Portugal, but their overall attacking output in recent matches has been limited. A clean sheet for Colombia is plausible given Desabre’s side are still adjusting to this level of opposition, and Colombia have conceded just once at the tournament so far. Colombia to win to nil provides a short-priced way to leverage their defensive solidity alongside the main result call.

Colombia vs DR Congo Odds Across Operators

The Colombia vs DR Congo betting odds across the three approved operators are as follows. Colombia are the strong favorites at prices ranging from -192 to -197, reflecting their status as the group leaders and the quality gap between the sides. DR Congo are priced between +575 and +650 to cause an upset, with the draw available at +315 to +327.

For the totals market, over 2.5 goals is available at +130 (BetOnline) with the under at -150 from the same operator. Lucky Rebel and BetNow both offer the over at +128 and the under at -145. The best available over price is +130 at BetOnline; the best under price is -143 on the market overall.

How to Watch + How to Bet

How to Watch

Colombia vs DR Congo kicks off at 8:00 PM local time (UTC-6) on June 23, 2026, at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara (Zapopan), Mexico. US viewers can watch live on Fox Sports. Canadian viewers have access through CTV, TSN, and RDS. UK viewers can watch on ITV or BBC, with Irish viewers covered by RTE and Virgin Media. Spanish viewers are served by RTVE and TVE, while French coverage is available on TF1 and beIN Sports.

How to Bet

Ready to act on these Colombia vs DR Congo picks? Here is a quick eight-step process:

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