Group K Matchday 3 with the runner-up spot at stake. Colombia need a win to lock second; DR Congo need a win to leapfrog them. Estadio Akron in Guadalajara hosts the late-night Tuesday closer.
Why: Colombia's squad depth is significantly greater. Luis Diaz at Bayern, James captain, Caicedo at Chelsea (defensive midfield), Pacho at PSG. DR Congo are organised but lack the cutting edge. Implied 59%; reality closer to 67%.
Diaz scored 22 Bundesliga goals at Bayern in 2025-26. He leads Colombia's attack with pace and dribbling from the left. DR Congo's right-back Kalulu will struggle. Anytime price 1.70.
Pickel averages a yellow every 4 matches at Serie A pace. Tasked with breaking up Colombia's possession through James-Caicedo-Rios, the foul rate climbs. Anytime Card around 2.40.
The match is at Estadio Akron in Zapopan. Capacity 49,850.
Estadio Akron hosts four matches at the 2026 World Cup including group stage and a Round of 32 fixture.
Colombia missed 2018 and 2022 cycles but return with what is widely called the country's strongest squad of the past decade.
Nestor Lorenzo coach since 2022.
Something cool: Luis Diaz at Bayern Munich has been Colombia's standout, scoring 22 Bundesliga goals in 2025-26 plus 7 in CONMEBOL qualifying.
DR Congo at their first WC since 1974 (52-year gap).
Sebastien Desabre coach since August 2022.
Something cool: DR Congo's dramatic playoff route to qualification (beating Cameroon, Nigeria and Jamaica) demonstrated they can pull off upsets. The Colombia match is the next test.
James captain since 2023.
2014 World Cup Golden Boot. Real Madrid era.
Captaining at his second World Cup.
Mbemba captain since 2018. 107 caps record.
Plays for Lille in Ligue 1.
Captaining at DR Congo's first WC in 52 years.
Colombia beat Uzbekistan 2-0 on matchday 1 and lost matchday 2 to Portugal 1-2.
DR Congo lost matchday 1 to Portugal 0-2 and beat Uzbekistan 2-1 on matchday 2.
Based on each side's most recent friendly. Final XIs confirm one hour before kick-off; this page will update.
| Date | Match | Venue | Preview |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 Jun | Portugal vs DR Congo | Houston | Preview → |
| 17 Jun | Uzbekistan vs Colombia | Mexico City | Preview → |
| 23 Jun | Colombia vs DR Congo | Guadalajara | This page |
| 23 Jun | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | Houston | Preview → |
| 27 Jun | Portugal vs Colombia | Miami | Preview → |
| 27 Jun | Uzbekistan vs DR Congo | Monterrey | Preview → |
All four teams, qualification scenarios and BetBot predictions: See full Group K overview →
Lorenzo's Colombia 4-3-3 with Lerma deep, Rios box-to-box, James ten, Diaz-Suarez-Arias in attack.
Desabre's DR Congo 5-4-1 deep block with Bakambu as lone striker.
Whoever wins takes second place in Group K. The other side faces elimination.
Tuesday 23 June 2026 at 22:00 ET (04:00 CEST Wednesday 24 June). Estadio Akron, Guadalajara.
Attacking midfielder James Rodriguez (Club Leon), captain since 2023.
Centre-back Chancel Mbemba (Lille), 107 caps the national record.
Runner-up spot in Group K. Whoever wins (or in Colombia's case, draws) takes second place. Loser exits via group stage.
Dramatic. Beat Cameroon, Nigeria and Jamaica in successive playoffs. First WC since 1974.
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