Colombia
World Cup 2026 Group K — fixtures, standings, and knockout path
Díaz leads Colombia's new golden generation
Liverpool's Luis Díaz shoulders expectations as Colombia's talisman, supported by James Rodríguez in what may be his last World Cup. Brighton's teenage sensation Jhon Durán and Crystal Palace defender Jefferson Lerma anchor a squad transitioning from the Falcao-Cuadrado era. Coach Néstor Lorenzo must solve their chronic inconsistency — capable of beating Argentina 2-0 then losing to Venezuela weeks later.
Group D's tactical minefield
Brazil's firepower makes them favorites, but Colombia's 1-1 draw against them in 2023 qualifiers showed defensive resilience. Japan's high press will test Colombia's shaky buildup play, while the African opponent (likely Senegal or Morocco) brings physicality they've struggled against historically. Key battle: Colombia's wingers versus Japan's fullbacks in a match that could decide second place.
From Escobar's tragedy to Rodríguez's stardom
Colombia's World Cup history swings between trauma and brilliance. The 1994 Andrés Escobar tragedy preceded their 2014 quarterfinal run with James Rodríguez's Puskás-winning volley. Their 3-0 humiliation by England in 2018 still stings. This tournament marks 30 years since Escobar's death — the squad wears black armbands in June friendlies as tribute.
Knockout route: top two qualify automatically; a third-place finish may still advance as one of the eight best third-placed teams. View Group K hub →
Group standings
| # | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  DR Congo | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Colombia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3 |  Portugal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 |  Uzbekistan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Fixtures & results
| Match | Date | Group | Score | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uzbekistan vs ColombiaEstadio Ciudad de México | Thu, Jun 18, 2026 · 03:00 ET | k | – | Scheduled |
| Colombia vs DR CongoEstadio Guadalajara | Wed, Jun 24, 2026 · 03:00 ET | k | – | Scheduled |
| Colombia vs PortugalEstadio Miami | Sun, Jun 28, 2026 · 00:30 ET | k | – | Scheduled |
Frequently asked questions
Has Colombia ever won the World Cup?+
No. Their best finish was the 2014 quarterfinals, losing 2-1 to Brazil with James Rodríguez winning the Golden Boot (6 goals).
How did Colombia qualify for 2026?+
They secured automatic qualification by finishing in CONMEBOL's top six, despite a rocky campaign that included losses to Uruguay and Argentina.
Where will Colombia play their group matches?+
Two games at Houston's NRG Stadium (vs Japan and African qualifier) and the Brazil clash at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Who is Colombia's all-time top World Cup scorer?+
James Rodríguez with 6 goals (all in 2014). Current squad leader is Luis Díaz with 2 goals across 2022 qualifiers.