Colombia vs DR Congo Prediction: World Cup 2026 Preview & Best Bets
Colombia vs DR Congo | Group K, Matchday 2 | Tuesday 23 June 2026, 20:00 local (02:00 BST Wednesday) | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara (Zapopan), Mexico | TV: ITV / ITVX (UK)
Colombia sit top of Group K with three points after beating Uzbekistan 3-1. DR Congo have one point following a 1-1 draw with Portugal.
| Position | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colombia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
| 2 | DR Congo | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 3 | Portugal | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 4 | Uzbekistan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
What’s At Stake
A Colombia win here would move them to six points and put qualification from Group K almost beyond doubt ahead of their final game against Portugal. DR Congo, on one point and with Portugal also on one, know that a victory would give them a genuine shot at the last 16 in only their second World Cup appearance, while a defeat could effectively end their campaign with a game to spare.
Verdict
Colombia are worthy favourites at 8/15 and showed enough attacking quality against Uzbekistan to warrant confidence here. A Colombia win to nil looks the standout call given the gap in experience and the defensive solidity Colombia demonstrated in their opening group fixture.
Colombia vs DR Congo Match Preview
Colombia return to the World Cup having missed Qatar 2022, and Nestor Lorenzo’s side have carried momentum from a strong qualifying run into the tournament. Their 3-1 win over Uzbekistan was authoritative: Luis Diaz, Daniel Munoz and Jaminton Campaz all got on the scoresheet, and the team’s attacking structure looked coherent from the outset.
DR Congo are writing history with every match. Yoane Wissa’s goal against Portugal was the country’s first ever at a World Cup, and the 1-1 draw brought their first World Cup point. Sebastien Desabre’s side showed resilience against a strong Portugal outfit, but Colombia represent a different type of challenge: a team with World Cup pedigree, a settled spine, and genuine star quality in midfield and attack.
The gap in tournament experience is significant. Colombia have appeared at six previous World Cups, reaching the quarter-finals in 2014. DR Congo’s only prior appearance came as Zaire in 1974, when they exited at the group stage. Every point and goal this time around sets a new national benchmark, but that context cuts both ways: the weight of history may inspire, or it may expose the limits of a squad making its way at this level for only the second time.
Team Form
Colombia Recent Form
- Uzbekistan (N) – World Cup: Won 3-1
- Jordan (N) – Friendly: Won 2-0
- Costa Rica (H) – Friendly: Won 3-1
- France (N) – Friendly: Lost 1-3
- Croatia (N) – Friendly: Won 1-2
Colombia’s last five shows a side that has found their range going forward. Three wins in the last three across all competitions, including the tournament opener, underline the attacking threat. The defeats to France and Croatia came against high-quality European opposition and have no bearing on form here.
DR Congo Recent Form
- Portugal (N) – World Cup: Drew 1-1
- Chile (N) – Friendly: Lost 1-2
- Denmark (N) – Friendly: Drew 0-0
- Jamaica (N) – World Cup Qualifier: Won 1-0
- Bermuda (N) – Friendly: Won 2-0
DR Congo’s preparation was measured rather than free-scoring. The goalless draw with Denmark and narrow win over Jamaica showed a side built on defensive organisation, and the point against Portugal confirmed they can compete. Cedral Bakambu leads the recent scoring charts but chances have been at a premium.
Colombia vs DR Congo Head To Head
There is no recorded senior competitive meeting between Colombia and DR Congo. This World Cup fixture is, by all available evidence, their first senior encounter at a major tournament. No head-to-head pattern can be drawn on, which shifts the entire analytical weight onto current form, squad quality, and group-stage context.
Team News
Colombia have no reported injury concerns of note entering Matchday 2. Lorenzo has a full complement of attacking options available, with Luis Díaz confirmed in the starting XI. James Rodriguez, with 126 caps and 31 international goals, remains the creative engine and is confirmed to start. Jefferson Lerma and Gustavo Puerta provide the midfield cover alongside him.
Chancel Mbemba captains DR Congo and brings 109 caps of experience to the backline. Yoane Wissa, who scored against Portugal, is confirmed to start and remains the primary attacking threat. Desabre has set up in a 5-3-2 shape, with Aaron Wan-Bissaka at right-back, Ngal’ayel Mukau in midfield, and Cédric Bakambu partnering Wissa up front. Steve Kapuadi and Axel Tuanzebe complete the back five alongside Mbemba and Arthur Masuaku.
Confirmed Lineups
Colombia (4-3-3): Camilo Vargas; Daniel Muñoz, Davinson Sánchez, Jhon Lucumí, Johan Mojica; Jefferson Lerma, Gustavo Puerta, Jhon Arias; Luis Suárez, James Rodríguez, Luis Díaz.
DR Congo (5-3-2): Lionel Mpasi; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Steve Kapuadi, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku; Ngal’ayel Mukau, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe; Cédric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa.
Confirmed starting XIs.
Key Tactical Matchup
The central duel to watch is James Rodríguez operating in the space between DR Congo’s midfield and defensive lines. Desabre’s 5-3-2 shape relies on Samuel Moutoussamy and Ngal’ayel Mukau sitting deep to protect the back five, but Rodríguez, with 31 international goals in 126 caps, has the vision and technique to find pockets behind a press. Colombia’s recent scorers list shows Luis Díaz as the primary finisher, but it is Rodríguez who controls the tempo and picks the passes that create the chances. If DR Congo’s midfield three is pulled wide by Jhon Arias and Díaz on the flanks, Rodríguez will have the room to dictate the game’s rhythm from deep.
Best Bets
- Colombia to win @ 8/15: Colombia are three points clear at the top of Group K and showed genuine attacking quality in their 3-1 opening win. DR Congo are capable of holding a lead but creating against a settled Colombian defence is a different test to defending against Portugal.
- Under 2.5 goals @ 4/6: DR Congo’s qualifying campaign produced low-scoring results across the board, including 1-0 wins over South Sudan, Togo, Sudan and Cameroon. The Leopards are set up to be hard to break down, and Colombia, while dangerous, are not a side that overwhelms opponents. The under line at 2.5 is well-supported by the evidence.
- Luis Diaz to score anytime: Díaz opened his World Cup 2026 account against Uzbekistan and leads Colombia’s recent scoring charts. He represents the most consistent goalscoring outlet in this squad and is the obvious candidate for an anytime scorer inclusion in any accumulator or bet builder for this fixture.
- Colombia to win to nil: DR Congo scored in all three of their pre-tournament friendlies but kept clean sheets in five of their nine qualifying matches. Colombia conceded just one in their opener and have the defensive structure to limit a DR Congo attack that has not been prolific at this level. The combination of a Colombia win and a clean sheet offers a more rewarding price than the straight result alone.
Colombia vs DR Congo Betting Odds
Best available prices for the match result market:
| Outcome | Best Price |
|---|---|
| Colombia | 8/15 |
| Draw | 10/3 |
| DR Congo | 13/2 |
Over/Under 2.5 goals: Over 5/4, Under 4/6. Odds sourced from leading operators and subject to change.
How To Watch And How To Bet
How To Watch Colombia vs DR Congo
Colombia vs DR Congo kicks off at 20:00 local time (02:00 BST on Wednesday 24 June) and is live on ITV and ITVX in the United Kingdom. UK viewers can stream the game free via the ITVX app or website. The match is also available in other territories including RTE and Virgin Media in Ireland, TF1 and beIN Sports in France, and Fox and Telemundo in the United States.
How To Bet On Colombia vs DR Congo
- Open an account with a licensed UK operator if you do not already have one.
- Navigate to the World Cup 2026 section of the sportsbook.
- Search for Colombia vs DR Congo under Group K fixtures.
- Select your preferred market: match result, goals total, or anytime scorer.
- Review the best available price before placing, as odds vary across operators.
- For a bet builder or acca, add the Colombia win and Luis Diaz to score selections into a single multi.
- Enter your stake and review the potential returns before confirming.
- Check that the bet has been accepted and appears in your open bets or bet slip history.
Responsible Gambling
Betting should always be approached as entertainment, not as a source of income. Set a budget before placing any bets and stick to it regardless of results. Never chase losses and do not bet with money you cannot afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling habits or those of someone you know, free and confidential support is available from BeGambleAware and GamCare. Both organisations offer helplines, online chat, and resources to help people make informed decisions about their betting.
The National Gambling Helpline is available 24 hours a day on 0808 8020 133. You can also use the self-exclusion tool available through GAMSTOP to restrict your access to licensed UK gambling sites.
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