Group K World Cup 2026: Teams, Schedule, Standings & Venues
Group K of the 2026 FIFA World Cup features four teams competing in a round-robin format during the group stage.
The expanded 48-team tournament, hosted across Canada, Mexico, and the United States, is divided into 12 groups, offering broader global representation and increased competitive diversity.
As the tournament approaches in June 2026, Group K brings together teams from multiple confederations: UEFA’s Portugal, CONMEBOL’s Colombia, AFC’s Uzbekistan, and the winner of the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff Path 1.
Can Portugal, led by veteran Cristiano Ronaldo in his expected final World Cup, dominate the group? Colombia, returning after a brief hiatus, could challenge with their experience and recent form. Uzbekistan’s historic debut brings fresh energy, while the playoff winner adds unpredictability that could reshape the group dynamics.
Below, we break down the teams, fixtures, standings, and venues for Group K at the 2026 World Cup.
Teams in Group K World Cup 2026
Group K of the 2026 FIFA World Cup consists of Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the winner of the inter-confederation playoff Path 1 (one of DR Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia).
Portugal
Portugal enters the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of Europe’s strongest sides, marking their ninth World Cup appearance.
The team qualified as UEFA Group F winners and will rely on their experienced squad, led by legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Widely expected to be his final World Cup, Ronaldo, the all-time leading international goal scorer, will compete at 41 years old in his sixth tournament, adding experience and leadership to Portugal’s campaign.
Portugal will open their 2026 World Cup campaign against the FIFA Playoff 1 Winner in NRG Stadium on June 17, 2026.
Colombia
Colombia returns to the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time since 2018, having finished third in the highly competitive CONMEBOL qualifiers.
This will be their seventh World Cup appearance, with their best performance coming in 2014, when they reached the quarter-finals.
Colombia will begin their 2026 campaign against Uzbekistan at Estadio Azteca on June 17, 2026, in a group-stage opener that could set the tone for their run in Group K.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan made history by qualifying for the FIFA World Cup for the first time, securing their spot as runners-up in their AFC third-round group.
Entering the tournament as debutants, they aim to make a memorable impression on football’s biggest stage.
Uzbekistan will kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign against Colombia at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 17, 2026, marking a historic start to their group-stage journey.
Winner of Inter-confederation Playoff Path 1
The final place in Group K will be decided by the winner of an Intercontinental Playoff in March 2026, featuring DR Congo, Jamaica, and New Caledonia.
The playoff winner will enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a wildcard team, adding intrigue and unpredictability to Group K.
Their tournament campaign will begin against Portugal on June 17, 2026, at NRG Stadium in Houston, marking a challenging debut on football’s biggest stage.
Group K World Cup 2026 Schedule
The Group K schedule spans from June 17 to June 27, 2026, with matches hosted in the United States and Mexico.
Group K Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Local Time / ET |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 17, 2026 | Portugal vs. FIFA Playoff 1 Winner | NRG Stadium | 12:00 p.m. local / 1:00 p.m. ET |
| June 17, 2026 | Uzbekistan vs. Colombia | Estadio Azteca | 8:00 p.m. local / 10:00 p.m. ET |
| June 23, 2026 | Colombia vs. FIFA Playoff 1 Winner | NRG Stadium | 12:00 p.m. local / 1:00 p.m. ET |
| June 23, 2026 | Portugal vs. Uzbekistan | Estadio Akron | 11:00 a.m. local / 1:00 p.m. ET |
| June 27, 2026 | Colombia vs. Portugal | Hard Rock Stadium | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| June 27, 2026 | FIFA Playoff 1 Winner vs. Uzbekistan | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 7:30 p.m. ET |
Group K World Cup 2026 Standings
As the tournament has not begun, the standings table is blank. However, the qualification rules are clear: the top two teams in the group will automatically advance to the Round of 32.
Furthermore, the third-placed team also has a strong chance to progress, as the eight best third-place finishers from all twelve groups will fill out the knockout bracket.
Teams earn 3 points for a win, 1 for a draw, and 0 for a loss.
Current Standings – Group K World Cup 2026
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Colombia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Uzbekistan | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FIFA Playoff 1 Winner | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Standings will be updated after each match.
Knockout Stage Path – Group K World Cup 2026
- Winner of Group K vs. Third-placed team of Group D, Group E, Group I, Group J, or Group L.
- Runner-up of Group K vs. Runner-up of Group L.
- Third-placed team of Group K vs. Winner of Group L (if one of the eight best third-placed teams from the group stage).
Group K World Cup 2026 Venues
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K matches will be held in five venues across the United States and Mexico: NRG Stadium in Houston, Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas)
Located in Houston, Texas, NRG Stadium (Houston Stadium) is a modern, multi-purpose venue with a seating capacity of approximately 72,000 for the World Cup.
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, NRG Stadium will serve as a key tournament hub, hosting multiple matches, including two fixtures from Group K.
The venue will stage Portugal’s opening match against the Intercontinental Playoff Path 1 winner on June 17, followed by Colombia vs. the same playoff winner on June 23, a matchup that could prove decisive in shaping the group standings.
Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, Mexico)
The iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City is one of the most revered venues in football history and among the most famous stadiums in the world.
Originally built for the 1968 Olympic Games and later expanded for the 1970 FIFA World Cup, it holds the unique distinction of being the first stadium to host two World Cup finals (1970 and 1986).
With a seating capacity of approximately 83,000 for the tournament, Estadio Azteca will once again take centre stage at the 2026 World Cup.
For the tournament, the legendary venue will add to its storied legacy by hosting a Group K opening fixture between Uzbekistan and Colombia on June 17, marking the start of another historic World Cup chapter.
Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida, USA)
The Hard Rock Stadium (referred to as Miami Stadium for the tournament) in Miami Gardens, Florida, is a versatile, world-class venue with a seating capacity of approximately 65,000 for the World Cup.
For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the stadium will host a decisive Group K group-stage finale, as Colombia face Portugal on June 27 in a highly anticipated clash that could determine which teams advance to the knockout stage.
Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, México)
Estadio Akron, located in the metropolitan area of Guadalajara, is a modern showcase of Mexican football architecture.
Opened in 2010, the stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 48,000 for the FIFA World Cup.
As one of three Mexican host venues for the 2026 tournament, Estadio Akron will stage a Group K fixture, hosting the intriguing encounter between Portugal and Uzbekistan on June 23.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)
Located in the heart of Atlanta, Georgia, Mercedes-Benz Stadium (referred to as Atlanta Stadium for the tournament) is a state-of-the-art venue, featuring a retractable roof and a massive 360-degree video board.
The stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 75,000 for the World Cup. For the 2026 FIFA World Cup, it will host a Group K group-stage finale on June 27, as the Intercontinental Playoff Path 1 winner faces Uzbekistan, a match that could decide which teams advance to the knockout stage.