JAKARTA, JOURNALARTA.COM – Colombia are one step away from sealing a place in the 2026 World Cup round of 16. Los Cafeteros host DR Congo in Group K matchday two on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 09.00 WIB at Estadio Akron, Zapopan, Guadalajara, Mexico. A win means qualification.
For DR Congo, the stakes are just as high. Sebastian Desabre’s side must take points if they want to keep their hopes alive in the group. A defeat would leave their chances almost gone.
Group K standings: Colombia in control
Matchday one already gave a clear picture. Colombia thrashed Uzbekistan 3-1 through goals from Daniel Munoz, Luis Diaz, and Jaminton Campaz. Three points in the bag, a +2 goal difference, and top spot in Group K.
DR Congo delivered a surprise of their own. They held Portugal to a 1-1 draw despite having just 25 percent possession. Yoane Wissa’s goal made history: DR Congo’s first-ever World Cup goal. One point, goal difference at zero.
The math is simple. Colombia win, and they go through. DR Congo win, and the standings are thrown wide open again.
Style against substance
Nestor Lorenzo is expected to line up Colombia in a 4-2-3-1 shape that can shift into a 4-3-3. The ball moves quickly, short passes connect, and the wings keep pressing forward. James Rodriguez acts as the team’s playmaker in the No. 10 role. Luis Diaz, the main threat from the left flank, brings a mix of dribbling and finishing. Luis Suarez leads the line. Last season he scored 28 goals in the Portuguese league, even though he failed to score against Uzbekistan.
But there is a crack. Colombia’s back four can be vulnerable. Over their last five matches, they kept only one clean sheet. Uzbekistan even equalized at 1-1 before eventually losing.
DR Congo choose a different route. Desabre sets them up in a 5-3-2 that can easily switch into a 4-4-2. Low block, then quick counterattacks. Against Portugal, with very little possession, they still fired eight shots and posted a higher xG. Wissa and Cedric Bakambu are the engines of a dangerous transition game.
Their biggest strength? Discipline. They have lost only once in their last 10 matches, with an average of 0.4 goals conceded per game. Chancel Mbemba and Axel Tuanzebe form the wall at the heart of the defense. The problem is Mbemba picked up a yellow card against Portugal and risks suspension if he gets booked again.
Predicted lineups and key duels
Colombia are expected to be at full strength with no injuries: Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Lerma, Puerta; Arias, James Rodriguez, Diaz; Suarez.
DR Congo are without Theo Bongonda because of injury, with a likely setup of: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kapuadi, Masuaku; Sadiki, Moutoussamy, Kayembe; Bakambu, Wissa.
The main battle is clear. Luis Diaz versus Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the wing. Then James Rodriguez against Moutoussamy. If the Congo midfielder can cut off James’ space, Colombia’s creativity could stall. Set pieces matter too: Sanchez and Suarez will go up against Mbemba in the air.
The X factor: Guadalajara’s altitude
Do not overlook the venue. Estadio Akron sits 1,566 meters above sea level. The ball travels faster, and players run out of breath quicker. Colombia, as a South American side, are more used to those conditions.
DR Congo may struggle here. A high-intensity 90 minutes could leave them drained in the second half. That is before considering the energy they spent against Portugal.
Score prediction and odds
Opta’s supercomputer gives Colombia a 58 percent chance of winning, with a 21 percent chance each for a draw and a DR Congo victory. DraftKings lists Colombia at -200, a 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 operate at a different level in terms of individual quality. But Congo are not the kind of team that gives in easily; Wissa could still nick a goal on the break. This should be an entertaining match with plenty of end-to-end action.
Quick Q&A
What time is Colombia vs DR Congo? Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at 09.00 WIB at Estadio Akron, Guadalajara.
Where can it be watched live in Indonesia? It is available on Vidio, TVRI, and Fola Play.
What is their head-to-head record? They have never met at the World Cup. This is their first meeting in an official tournament. Colombia are ranked 14th by FIFA, while DR Congo are 61st.
Follow the latest World Cup 2026 scores, schedules, and analysis through JournalArta Special Event: https://journalarta.com/piala-dunia-2026/
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