Portugal’s group to lose?
Onto Group K starring Portugal, DR Congo, newcomers Uzbekistan, and Colombia.
Portugal
The manager
Roberto Martinez. He’ll be leaving at the end of the tournament and he’s had a fantastic tenure, winning the Nations League in 2024/25. Despite that success, World Cup glory has alluded him with Portugal and he’s arguably caught Cristiano Ronaldo at the “wrong” end of his career to drive them past the quarter finals of tournaments.
Last World Cup
2022. Things were looking bright until they faced Morocco and found themselves on the end of a 1–0 defeat, shocking everyone.
Who’s getting the goals
Plenty of names to choose from: Bruno Fernandes, João Neves, Gonçalo Ramos, João Félix, Rafael Leão, Francisco Conceição. Oh, and Cristiano Ronaldo. But he needs the ball exactly where he wants it and maybe a few attempts at goal. He’s getting on a bit.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Katamari Damacy. A prince rolls a ball around collecting objects in a bid to rebuild something out of this world? Who does that sound like?
DR Congo
The manager
Sébastien Desabre. The Frenchman has been hopping around North Africa and the Middle East via Uganda before landing the DR Congo job in 2022. From there, he beat the likes of Cameroon and Nigeria in qualifying before facing Jamaica in the play-offs and beating them 1–0 in extra time to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1974 (back when they were known as Zaire).
Last World Cup
1974. They were remembered for all the wrong reasons (and all media-driven and stereotyping) with the infamous free kick moment against Brazil when Mewpu Ilunga kicked the ball away before a free kick was taken in an attempt to get a red card. He spoke with ESPN to explain the reasoning behind it all and it had nothing to do with a lack of knowledge. I wish they hadn’t beaten Jamaica to get here (my maternal family is Jamaican) but I’m glad they have another chance at this level.
Who’s getting the goals
Newcastle’s Yoane Wissa has scored at least once every year for DR Congo since 2020 (except 2021 when he didn’t play any games) and he managed to get another one this year against Portugal (again, writing this after matches have already taken place in the group because I’m slow). Meschak Elia, Cédric Bakambu, and Théo Bongonda may also pop up should they get the chance.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Relooted. It’s all about reclamation. And it’s African. Maybe a little on the nose but it seems appropriate.
Uzbekistan
The manager
Fabio Cannavaro. Yes, that Fabio Cannavaro. The Italian legend and World Cup winner in 2006 is now an international manager and he’s at Uzbekistan. The thing is, he wasn’t the one who got them to the World Cup; that was Timur Kapadze. Instead, the federation wanted someone experienced and felt Cannavaro was the man for them. Apparently his time 39 games with China, Benevento, Udinese, and Dinamo Zagreb since 2019 was enough to persuade them. Or maybe it was his time at Guangzhou Evergrande when he won a league title.
Last World Cup
First-timers!
Who’s getting the goals
Goals may not be that likely but captain and caps leader Eldor Shomurodov will probably be the guy who gets them. If not, then Igor Sergeev, Oston Urunov, or perhaps Abbosbek Fayzullaev.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Soviet Strike. Okay, this one is too on the nose but also it fits so well that I don’t care.
Colombia
The manager
Néstor Lorenzo. Another Argentinian coach in the World Cup, Lorenzo played 13 times for his country including at Italia 90 so he knows the terrain so to speak. He spent 7 years as Colombia’s assistant manager for a season with Melgar in Peru and then back to Colombia but in the boss’s chair this time. He’s been back since 2022 and his biggest highlight was finishing as Copa América runner-up in 2024, losing to Argentina.
Last World Cup
2018. They qualified top of their group and reached the round of 16 where they lost to England on penalties, which was a big deal from an England perspectives because… you know… penalties.
Who’s getting the goals
Luis Suárez has had a monster season for Sporting in the wake of Gyokeres going to Arsenal so he’ll certainly be scoring given half a chance. Luis Díaz is much the same. James Rodríguez is still around and captain and you can’t count him out.
If they were a video game, they would be…
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. Known for controversies in the past (particularly around violence), there’s a helluva lot of flair going around and the nostalgia and excitement will be enough to carry you along in support.