Sports · World Cup 2026 · Group K
Colombiavs
Congo DR
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 · 10:00 p.m. ET · Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron), Zapopan (Guadalajara)
Watch: FS1 · Telemundo
My pick: Colombia win · locked 2026-06-22 13:45 UTCPrediction
Colombia to win. Néstor Lorenzo's side opened with a clinical 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan and can take a decisive step toward the round of 32 here, while Congo DR earned a battling 1-1 draw with Portugal and arrive full of belief. Colombia's edge is obvious in the final third — James Rodríguez pulling the strings, Luis Díaz running in behind and Luis Suárez leading the line. Congo DR are physical and dangerous on the break through Yoane Wissa, so the Cafeteros must be patient, but their quality should tell in Guadalajara. 2-0 Colombia.
The case for Colombia
58% to winColombia look the class of Group K: James Rodríguez orchestrating, Luis Díaz a constant menace and a settled, well-coached side that dispatched Uzbekistan with ease. A win all but seals qualification, and against a Congo DR side that will sit deep, the Cafeteros' movement and creativity should manufacture the openings to control the group.
The case for Congo DR
17% to winCongo DR showed real steel in holding Portugal, defending in a disciplined block and carrying genuine counter-attacking threat in Yoane Wissa and Cédric Bakambu. Sébastien Desabre's side are physical, organised and fearless; frustrate Colombia, stay compact past the hour and strike on the break, and they can leapfrog the South Americans into top spot.
Both cases written 2026-06-22, before kickoff — they freeze into the record exactly as written, however the match goes. The percentages are mine, quoted to a decimal because false precision is funnier — the unclaimed 25% belongs to the draw.
Colombia 4-3-35-3-2 Congo DRThe briefing
Storylines
- Colombia can move to the brink of the round of 32 with a win; Congo DR can go top of Group K with one of their own.
- Colombia opened with a clinical 3-1 win over Uzbekistan; Congo DR fought back for a 1-1 draw with Portugal.
- James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz lead a Colombia attack that looked the group's most dangerous on matchday one.
- Played in the open air at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, where the rainy season could be a factor for the late kickoff.
The coaches
Néstor Lorenzo Colombia
The Argentine has Colombia organised and dangerous, building around the creativity of James Rodríguez and the threat of Luis Díaz.
Sébastien Desabre Congo DR
The French coach has Congo DR set up to defend deep in a back five and counter at pace through Wissa and Bakambu.
Availability
| Squad | No fresh injuries reported after the Uzbekistan win; Lorenzo expected to name a settled side | ESPN / Goal preview · 2026-06-22 |
| Squad | No injuries or suspensions listed; Desabre yet to confirm whether he rotates after the Portugal draw | Goal / RotoWire preview · 2026-06-22 |
Availability drifts hourly in tournament week — every row carries its source and date for exactly that reason.
Watch: FS1 in English (stream on Fox One with a TV provider) and Telemundo in Spanish (stream on Peacock); the free Tubi simulcast carries Telemundo's Spanish feed. (NBC News / FOX Sports World Cup TV schedule, as of 2026-06-22)
Weather: Open-air at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara for a night kickoff — mild highland-evening temperatures with a rainy-season chance of a thunderstorm. (SMN-Conagua seasonal climatology (specific forecast not yet cleanly available), as of 2026-06-22)
Venue: Guadalajara Stadium (Estadio Akron), Zapopan (Guadalajara), Mexico — FIFA strips sponsor names for the tournament; the everyday name is in parentheses.