Colombia vs DR Congo | FIFA World Cup 2026 — Group Stage | Preview and Prediction

A confident and swaggering Colombia team face the DR Congo knowing that victory will be enough to secure their spot in the round of 32, though they will be wary of the threat and quality that their opponents possess, making them a tricky opposition to navigate in this crucial Group K fixture at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

For the game, here we present our preview and prediction.

FIFA WC26 | Group K: COL vs COD | 07:30 IST, 24 June, 2026

Colombia surged to a 3–1 victory over World Cup debutants Uzbekistan last time out, but not before they were given an almighty push and shove by the Central Asian nation.

However, despite the hard work and the intensity shown by the Uzbeks, La Tricolor had enough quality and flair in their ranks, coupled with an indefatigable desire to keep running, as they eventually got the better of their opponents.

While Daniel Muñoz and talisman Luis Díaz rightly stood out, as they got on the scoresheet with well-taken goals, it was Crystal Palace’s other Colombian star, Jefferson Lerma, who proved to be the man of the moment with his shift and hard graft, doing the dirty work in the middle of the park that kept the Colombians ticking in attack for the majority of the contest.

Colombia, though, did let the game get too passive for their liking in the early exchanges of the first half, which allowed Uzbekistan to grow in stature as the game progressed. It took some Díaz magic to raise the team up from their slumber, and they eventually began to take control of proceedings.

While the win was all well and good, this game against the DR Congo will be a much sterner test for a side harbouring aspirations for a deep run in the World Cup.

The DR Congo faced Portugal in their campaign opener and emerged with a very creditable 1–1 draw, which does their reputation absolutely no harm. It was their first-ever point in a World Cup finals, and getting it against Portugal was a massive feather in the cap of a side who have been on the ascendancy for quite a while now.

The point feels more deserved given the adversities they faced before the World Cup: a three-week quarantine in Belgium due to an Ebola outbreak might have worsened the odds, but not their resolve. Forwards Cédric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa put almighty shifts in up top with their relentless running and hold-up play, with Wissa rising tallest to nod in his side’s equaliser from the corner.

The Congolese midfield was hardworking and industrious, led by the tireless Samuel Moutoussamy, while the defence was all hands on deck and held its own against the illustrious Portuguese attack.

This is bound to be a clash between two sides who will be relying on their attackers to deliver the goods. While Colombia will be reliant on Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez, the Congo will once again look to Bakambu and Wissa to do the heavy lifting. We believe that this game will end in a draw, but if we had to pick a narrow favourite, we would give the edge to Colombia.

Score Prediction: Colombia 1–1 Democratic Republic of the Congo
Venue: Estadio Guadalajara, Zapopan, Mexico