Colombia vs DR Congo Prediction June 24, 2026: Lineup, Score & Group K
Colombia vs DR Congo prediction, lineup analysis, and score forecast for the June 24, 2026 World Cup Group K clash.
JAKARTA — Colombia can seal a place in the 2026 World Cup round of 16 when they face DR Congo in Group K on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 09.00 WIB at Estadio Akron in Zapopan, Guadalajara, Mexico. One win changes everything for Los Cafeteros.
DR Congo arrive with the same urgency. Sebastian Desabre’s team need points to keep their knockout hopes alive, and a defeat would leave them hanging by a thread after only two group games.
Colombia vs DR Congo Prediction June 24, 2026: Lineup, Score & Group K
Colombia opened the group with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, built on goals from Daniel Munoz, Luis Diaz and Jaminton Campaz. That result put Nestor Lorenzo’s side top of Group K on three points with a +2 goal difference. Clean, efficient, and already in control.
DR Congo earned a far more dramatic point. They held Portugal to a 1-1 draw despite seeing only 25 percent of the ball. Yoane Wissa scored the country’s first-ever World Cup goal. One point. Zero goal-difference damage.
The table is simple enough. If Colombia win, they qualify. If DR Congo win, Group K opens wide again. If they draw, the final round becomes a real test for both sides.
Colombia lean on quality in the final third
Lorenzo is expected to keep Colombia in a 4-2-3-1 that can shift into a 4-3-3 when James Rodriguez drops deeper. The shape gives Luis Diaz room to attack from the left and lets the full-backs push high. James stays the main creative hub.
Luis Suarez leads the line. He scored 28 goals in the Portuguese league last season, a reminder that Colombia have a forward who can punish small mistakes. He did not score against Uzbekistan. That will not matter if he gets one clean chance in Guadalajara.
Still, Colombia are not airtight at the back. They have kept only one clean sheet in their last five matches, and Uzbekistan managed to level before losing. That is the opening DR Congo will study all night.
Short lapse. Huge cost.
DR Congo trust structure and counters
Desabre usually sets DR Congo up in a 5-3-2 that can quickly become a 4-4-2 when they spring forward. It is a compact, disciplined team built to absorb pressure and break fast. Against Portugal, they produced eight shots and posted a better expected-goals return despite spending long stretches without the ball.
Wissa and Cedric Bakambu carry the danger in transition. Chancel Mbemba and Axel Tuanzebe anchor the defence, while the rest of the side stays narrow and organized. DR Congo have lost only once in their last 10 matches, conceding an average of 0.4 goals per game over that run.
The warning sign sits in yellow. Mbemba was booked against Portugal and will have to watch his timing. Another card, and DR Congo’s defensive spine takes a hit.
Predicted lineups and the key duels
Colombia are expected to have a full squad available, with no injuries reported in the projected XI: Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Lerma, Puerta; Arias, James Rodriguez, Diaz; Suarez.
DR Congo are likely to miss Theo Bongonda through injury. Their probable lineup: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kapuadi, Masuaku; Sadiki, Moutoussamy, Kayembe; Bakambu, Wissa.
The biggest battle comes on the flanks, where Diaz will try to pull Aaron Wan-Bissaka out of shape. James Rodriguez against Moutoussamy is another one to watch. If DR Congo cut off James’ passing lanes, Colombia lose a lot of their bite.
Set pieces may matter too. Mbemba and Tuanzebe will have plenty to do against Sanchez and Suarez in the air.
Guadalajara altitude could shape the second half
Estadio Akron sits at 1,566 meters above sea level. That matters. The air feels thinner, recovery gets harder, and the ball moves quicker than players expect.
South American teams usually adjust faster than visiting African sides. Colombia may be better equipped for the conditions, while DR Congo could feel the strain late if they spend too much time chasing the ball after the interval.
That is where the match could swing. A tight first hour would favour Colombia’s technical edge, but a slow tempo and a few long pauses could play into DR Congo’s defensive plan.
Score predictions and what the numbers say
Opta’s supercomputer gives Colombia a 58 percent chance of winning, with draws and DR Congo wins each sitting at 21 percent. DraftKings prices Colombia at -200, the draw at +310 and DR Congo at +600.
| Outlet | Score Prediction |
|---|---|
| Sporting News | Colombia 2-1 |
| TalkSport | 1-1 |
| USA Today | Colombia 2-0 |
JournalArta backs Colombia to win 2-1. Diaz and James give them the sharper edge in open play, but DR Congo have already shown they can frustrate a heavyweight and strike from very little. Wissa’s first World Cup goal came from exactly that kind of moment.
Colombia have three points. DR Congo have one. And Mbemba is one yellow card away from a suspension that could reshape Group K.
