Group K World Cup 2026: Portugal the clear favourite, but DR Congo's defensive record demands attention
41 FIFA ranking places separate Portugal from DR Congo in Group K of the 2026 World Cup — yet Footlab's Elo engine rates the Leopards at 1,503, only 210 points below the Portuguese. That gap matters, but it also means DR Congo are not the walkover their billing suggests. Group K brings together four distinct profiles: a genuine title contender, a resurgent South American side, an African team built on defensive solidity, and a Central Asian debutant stepping onto the world stage for the first time. Footlab's proprietary model quantifies what bookmaker odds frequently understate.
Group K squads: Footlab Elo and FIFA rankings at a glance
| Team | Footlab Elo | FIFA Rank | Elo Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 1701 | #7 | 2.81 |
| Colombia | 1640 | #11 | 4.07 |
| DR Congo | 1527 | #41 | -6.70 |
| Uzbekistan | 1518 | #60 | -5.31 |
Portugal sit at an Elo of 1,713 with a positive trend of +2.81 — a side building momentum heading into the tournament. Colombia (Elo 1,636, +4.07) is the second-strongest force in the group by Footlab's measure, and their delta is the highest of any of the four teams, reflecting recent results well above expectation. DR Congo (Elo 1,503, -6.70) carry a negative recent delta, but their qualifying record — 2 wins, 3 draws, 0 defeats — tells a different story about their defensive organisation. Uzbekistan (Elo 1,533, -5.31) arrive on the back of a slight dip in form ahead of their World Cup debut.