World Cup preview: Group K – Can Ronaldo win a World Cup? | OneFootball

The World Cup is almost upon us. From June 11 til July 19, 48 countries will fight to become World Champions in the tournament held in the USA, Mexico and Canada.

The teams in the tournament have already been drawn into 12 separate groups. Group K contains Portugal, Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan.

Here’s a preview of the teams hoping to make it out of the group:

Portugal

Can Cristiano Ronaldo get his fairytale ending? When he was filmed leaving the pitch in tears as Portugal were beaten by Morocco in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup, almost everyone thought that would be it for the legendary figure.

But four years later, at the age of 41, he is remarkably back again. This will surely be his last chance though. And Portugal definitely do have a strong chance.

They arguably have their best ever squad with world-class talent littered all over the pitch. Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and so many more stars.

They will be confident of winning the competition, and are in a relatively weak group.

Player to watch: Joao Neves. This midfield maestro is a magician with the ball at his feet and put in a man-of-the-match display as PSG pipped Arsenal to the Champions League trophy. His partner Vitinha isn’t too bad either…

Stage of elimination prediction: Final

Colombia

The quarter-finals in 2014 is the furthest Colombia have ever advanced in a FIFA World Cup, and they missed out on 2022 altogether.

During that memorable tournament in Brazil, Los Cafeteros won all three of their group games before defeating Uruguay 2–0 in the Round of 16. Their historic run was eventually ended by the host nation, Brazil, who beat them 2–1 in a tense quarter-final clash.

The squad is led by Bayern Munich star Luis Diaz, who enjoyed a stellar season, and James Rodriguez, the team captain and Colombia’s all-time leading scorer at the World Cup.

Rodriguez prepared for the global showpiece with a short-term move to MLS team Minnesota United.

Player to watch: Luis Diaz. This is Diaz’s team, and he will want to make his mark. Colombia missed out in 2022 but during these last two years Diaz has reached his absolute peak.

Stage of elimination prediction: Last 16

DR Congo

DR Congo have only ever been at one World Cup in their history, in 1974. They couldn’t get out of the group stage that year, and it has been an extraordinary 52-year wait since then.

Generations of Congo fans have never seen their country on the global stage, and they have reason to be excited with players such as Yoane Wissa and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Player to watch: Yoanne Wissa. He had a very disappointing first season at Newcastle after a move from Brentford, but he is a Premier League proven striker and will have to be firing.

Stage of elimination prediction: Group stage

Uzbekistan

The 2026 World Cup marks Uzbekistan’s tournament debut. By qualifying for this edition, the White Wolves made history as the first-ever Central Asian nation to reach a senior men’s World Cup.

Managed for the tournament by 2006 Italian World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro, the history-makers have striker Eldor Shomurodov and elite teenage Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov in their ranks.

Player to watch: Khusanov. The centre-back has quickly become one of the very best centre-backs in the Premier League since joining City. With rapid pace, excellent reading of the game and the ability to calmly play out from the back, he will be vital for his country.

Stage of elimination prediction: Group stage