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
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, with Suarez set to recover from a shoulder issue.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Puerta, Lerma; Arias, James, Diaz; Suarez
Unavailable:
Questionable: Suarez (Injured)
Portugal team news: Sticking by CR7
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
- This is the first meeting between Colombia and Portugal.
- Colombia have now scored in their last 11 FIFA World Cup encounters – their longest streak in the history of the competition.
- Colombia have never been involved in a goalless draw in their 24 World Cup encounters.
- With ten FIFA World Cup appearances, James Rodríguez has equalled the Colombian record jointly held by Freddy Rincón and Carlos Valderrama. He will move one clear if he features here.
- Daniel Muñoz has scored two goals at FIFA World Cup 2026; James Rodríguez is the only Colombian player to score in all three matches in a group campaign, having done so in 2014.
- Colombia finished top of their group in their last two World Cup participations prior to 2026 (2014 and 2018).
- Portugal have scored in 12 of their last 13 matches at the FIFA World Cup.
- Portugal are unbeaten in 15 World Cup matches when leading at half-time (W12 D3).
- Prior to 2026, Portugal had qualified for the knockout stages in four of the last five editions of the World Cup.
- Cristiano Ronaldo could move joint-second on the FIFA World Cup appearances list, drawing level with Lothar Matthäus on 25 matches, with only Lionel Messi (28) having featured more.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored ten goals and become Portugal’s outright top goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history, surpassing Eusébio, who netted nine.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has now scored against 49 different countries in his international career – Colombia could be the 50th.
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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
