Colombia vs Portugal Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
The battle for top spot in Group K is a fierce one and comes down to a decider in Miami as the entertaining Colombians take on one of the pre-tournament favourites, Portugal.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
Colombia preview: Entertaining Colombia
Between 2022 and 2024, Colombia were excellent but Nestor Lorenzo's side had dipped ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026. However, having seemingly rediscovered some form at the right time, they now need just a draw to confirm their status as Group K winners.
The Colombians began with a 3-1 defeat of Uzbekistan in Mexico City before edging past Congo DR by a goal to nil in a hard-fought contest in Guadalajara, with Crystal Palace defender Daniel Munoz scoring the winner - his second of the tournament.
Portugal preview: Bouncing back
Portugal come into this one on the back of thrashing debutant minnows Uzbekistan by five goals to nil in their second game in Houston, with captain Cristiano Ronaldo grabbing a much-needed brace alongside a Nuno Mendes free-kick, an Abduvohid Nematov own goal and a late Rafael Leao strike.
Roberto Martinez came under intense pressure to drop Cristiano Ronaldo after Portugal laboured to a 1-1 draw with Congo DR in their opening game, with the Al Nassr forward criticised for a lack of mobility up-front - something that has been mentioned at both FIFA World Cup 2022 and UEFA EURO 2024.
Colombia team news: Surprise calls to be stuck by
Further news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
Nestor Lorenzo has made some surprise calls in this tournament with Richard Rios and Kevin Castano overlooked in defensive midfield in preference of a Jefferson Lerma-Gustavo Puerta pivot.
Further forward, Sporting CP striker Luis Suarez may now be coming under pressure for his spot from Real Betis' Cucho Hernandez but any changes would appear unlikely.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Puerta, Lerma; Arias, James, Diaz; Suarez
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Portugal team news: Sticking by CR7
Further news will appear here closer to the match after pre-match press conferences…
Cristiano Ronaldo had gone ten major tournament matches without scoring before his brace last week and that should give Martinez license to stick with their captain up-front, albeit scoring against the ilk of Uzbekistan has never really been an issue.
Ruben Dias returned to the eleven against Uzbekistan with Tomas Araujo missing out due to an injury. Rafael Leao may now pinch a spot on the wing that has now been occupied by Bernardo Silva and then Joao Felix from the start.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Fernandes; Neto, Ronaldo, Leao
Unavailable:
Questionable: Araujo (Injured)
Colombia’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Daniel Munoz ($4.6m) – Defender
Luis Diaz ($8.1m) – Midfielder
Luis Suarez ($5.7m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Luis Diaz
Set-piece duty
Penalties: James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz
Free kicks: James Rodriguez
Corners: James Rodriguez, Jhon Arias
Portugal’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Nuno Mendes ($5.8m) – Defender
Bruno Fernandes ($8.5m) – Midfielder
Cristiano Ronaldo ($10.0m) – Forward
Matchday 3 captain pick: Bruno Fernandes
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes
Free kicks: Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes
Corners: Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes
Key stats
- Coming soon
Colombia vs Portugal prediction
Colombia have been entertaining to watch throughout the reign of Nestor Lorenzo and they appear to have rediscovered their more intense approach with James Rodriguez dictating things in midfield and the flanks being dominated by Daniel Munoz on the right and Luis Diaz on the left.
Portugal head down to Mexico knowing that any sort of performance akin to that of what they put in against Congo DR will be punished but they will also believe they can thrive with more space provided to them by the Colombians.
This one could be a real thriller for the neutral with a high-scoring encounter in prospect as Colombia seek to continue their get up and go style against a Portugal style that is stacked in attack.
Colombia vs Portugal betting tip: Over 2.5 goals
