Colombia vs DR Congo Prediction. Colombia, three points from a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, face DR Congo — who held Portugal 1-1 on Match Day 1 — at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, on Wednesday, 24 June 2026 (02:00 UTC / 05:00 EAT). A Colombia win secures their knockout round place. Our prediction: Colombia to win. Full analysis, team news, line-ups and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Group K, Match Day 2 |
| Date & kick-off | Wednesday, 24 June 2026 at 02:00 UTC / 05:00 EAT |
| Venue | Estadio Akron (Akron Stadium), Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico |
| Group K standings | After Match Day 1: Colombia 3pts, DR Congo 1pt, Portugal 1pt, Uzbekistan 0pts |
| Stakes | Colombia win = Round of 32 qualification secured. DR Congo win = into second place and qualification contention. |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
Colombia’s qualification push vs DR Congo’s shock potential
Colombia’s 3-1 win over Uzbekistan was a controlled and clinical performance. Daniel Muñoz opened the scoring in the 40th minute, finishing a Luis Díaz delivery with a clever flick. Despite Uzbekistan’s brief equalizer, Díaz restored the lead with a composed counter-attack finish in the 65th minute, and substitute Jaminton Campaz sealed it with a header deep into stoppage time from Cucho Hernández’s cross. Under Néstor Lorenzo, Colombia are in excellent form and the same XI is expected here.
James Rodríguez, 34, orchestrates from the number 10 position and remains one of the tournament’s most creative forces. Díaz provides the direct attacking thrust from the left. Lerma and Ríos provide the midfield foundation. Camilo Vargas is in goal. Colombia are ranked 13th in the world, 33 places above DR Congo.
DR Congo’s 1-1 draw against Portugal on Match Day 1 was a landmark moment. Conceding inside six minutes to a João Neves header, they held firm defensively before Yoane Wissa rose to head home an Arthur Masuaku cross in 45+ to secure DR Congo’s first ever World Cup point and their nation’s maiden World Cup goal. The significance of that moment for Congolese football cannot be overstated.
Cédric Bakambu spearheads the attack alongside Wissa. Captain Chancel Mbemba — with over 100 international caps — anchors the defence alongside Axel Tuanzebe and Arthur Masuaku at left-back. Aaron Wan-Bissaka provides quality and width from right-back.
Team news and expected line-ups
Colombia: No injury concerns. Same XI expected. James and Díaz the creative core. Córdoba leads the line.
DR Congo: Fully fit squad. Wissa and Bakambu up front. Mbemba anchors defence. Wan-Bissaka at right-back.
| Colombia (4-3-3) | DR Congo (4-4-2) |
| Vargas (GK) | Mpasi (GK) |
| Muñoz (RB) | Wan-Bissaka (RB) |
| D. Sánchez (CB) | Mbemba (CB) |
| Lucumí (CB) | Tuanzebe (CB) |
| Mojica (LB) | Masuaku (LB) |
| Lerma (DM) | Bongonda (RM) |
| Ríos (DM) | Pickel (CM) |
| Arias (RM) | Moutoussamy (CM) |
| James (AM) | Elia (LM) |
| Díaz (LW) | Bakambu (ST) |
| Córdoba (ST) | Wissa (ST) |
Key stats
- Colombia: beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their Group K opener. Muñoz, Díaz, and Campaz scored.
- Colombia: ranked 13th in the world by FIFA. 3-match winning streak.
- Colombia form (last 5): W W W L L — beat Uzbekistan (W 3-1), Jordan (W 2-0), Costa Rica (W 3-1); lost to France (1-3) and Croatia (1-2) in warm-ups.
- Luis Díaz (Liverpool): scored and assisted vs Uzbekistan. Colombia’s most dangerous attacker.
- James Rodríguez (34): orchestrates Colombia’s attack. One of the tournament’s most creative midfielders.
- DR Congo: drew 1-1 with Portugal in their Group K opener. Wissa scored the equaliser in 45+.
- Yoane Wissa (Brentford): scored DR Congo’s first ever World Cup goal vs Portugal. Starts alongside Bakambu.
- Chancel Mbemba: DR Congo captain. 100+ international caps. Defensive leader.
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham): Premier League right-back providing width and quality.
- DR Congo form (last 5): D L D W W — drew Portugal (1-1), lost Chile (1-2), drew Denmark (0-0), beat Jamaica (1-0), Bermuda (2-0).
- H2H: first ever meeting between Colombia and DR Congo in any fixture.
- Group K standings (after Match Day 1): Colombia 3pts, DR Congo 1pt, Portugal 1pt, Uzbekistan 0pts.
Head-to-head
Colombia and DR Congo have never previously met in any fixture — competitive or friendly. This World Cup Group K match is the first ever encounter between the two nations.
Current form
| Team | Last 5 (inc. WC opener) |
| Colombia | W W W L L — 3-match winning streak into the tournament |
| DR Congo | D L D W W — disciplined defensive record; historic draw vs Portugal |
Our prediction
Colombia are the clear favourites on rankings, squad quality, and current form. Their 3-1 win over Uzbekistan was convincing and their attacking depth through Díaz, James, and Campaz from the bench gives them multiple routes to goal. A win here books their Round of 32 place.
DR Congo, however, has already shown this tournament that rankings do not tell the whole story. Their Portugal draw was built on defensive discipline, a clear game plan under pressure, and the individual quality of Wissa and Bakambu in attack. Mbemba’s leadership gives the defence structure and experience. They are not here to make up the numbers.
Colombia’s quality advantage should ultimately prove decisive, but DR Congo carries a genuine threat and will not be passive. A competitive match with a Colombia win is the most defensible outcome.
Our prediction: Colombia to win.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 0500 hrs UTC on 24/06/2026 and subject to change.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Colombia vs DR Congo event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
What time does Colombia vs DR Congo kick off?
Kick-off is at 02:00 UTC / 05:00 EAT on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
What happened in Colombia’s first match at World Cup 2026?
Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their Group K opener. Daniel Muñoz opened the scoring, Luis Díaz doubled the lead after Uzbekistan equalised, and substitute Jaminton Campaz headed in a third deep into stoppage time.
What happened in DR Congo’s first match at World Cup 2026?
DR Congo drew 1-1 with Portugal in their Group K opener — a famous result in their history. Despite conceding in the sixth minute to João Neves, they held firm and Yoane Wissa equalised with a header from an Arthur Masuaku cross in first-half stoppage time. It was DR Congo’s first ever World Cup point and the nation’s first ever World Cup goal.
Have Colombia and DR Congo ever played before?
No. This World Cup Group K match is the first ever fixture between Colombia and DR Congo in any competition.
What group are Colombia and DR Congo in at World Cup 2026?
Both sides are in Group K alongside Portugal and Uzbekistan. After Match Day 1, Colombia lead with three points, while DR Congo and Portugal are on one point each.
Is DR Congo the same as Congo in Group K?
No. DR Congo (Democratic Republic of Congo) and the Republic of Congo (often referred to simply as ‘Congo’) are two different nations. Both happen to be in Group K at this tournament. DR Congo faced Colombia; the Republic of Congo faced Portugal and Uzbekistan.
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