The Colombia vs DR Congo World Cup clash kicks off on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Estadio Akron in Zapopan with a 10:00 p.m. ET kickoff. This Group K matchday 2 fixture sees the South American favourites looking to extend their winning start, while the African side aim to build on their historic draw against Portugal.
Key Takeaways
- The Colombia vs DR Congo World Cup Group K fixture is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, at Estadio Akron in Zapopan.
- Colombia are clear favourites after beating Uzbekistan 3-1 in their opener to top the group.
- DR Congo earned a credible 1-1 draw against Portugal on matchday one and will hope to replicate that resilience here.
- Sportsbooks price Colombia around -192, implying a roughly 63 percent chance of victory for the South American side.
- The kickoff falls after midnight in the UK and DR Congo, meaning it is the early hours of Wednesday, June 24 there.
The narrative surrounding this Group K encounter is defined by the contrast between Colombia’s star-studded attack and DR Congo’s resilient, counter-attacking threat. While Colombia is expected to win comfortably and all but secure their place in the Round of 32 with a victory, DR Congo has already proven they can frustrate bigger names by holding Portugal to a draw.
When is the Colombia vs DR Congo World Cup match?
Colombia vs DR Congo kicks off at 10:00 PM Eastern Time on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 (8:00 PM local time in Guadalajara). Because of the late start, it falls after midnight—in the early hours of Wednesday, June 24—in the UK and DR Congo. Here is the kickoff time across major time zones.
| Time Zone | Local Time |
|---|---|
| Mexico (Guadalajara, local) | 8:00 PM, Tuesday June 23 |
| Eastern Time (ET) | 10:00 PM, Tuesday June 23 |
| Pacific Time (PT) | 7:00 PM, Tuesday June 23 |
| Colombia (COT) | 9:00 PM, Tuesday June 23 |
| UK (BST) | 3:00 AM, Wednesday June 24 |
| DR Congo (Kinshasa, WAT) | 3:00 AM, Wednesday June 24 |
Where is the Colombia vs DR Congo World Cup match being played?
The Colombia vs DR Congo fixture will be held at Estadio Akron, a modern stadium located in Zapopan in the Guadalajara metropolitan area of Mexico. Neither team is playing on home soil since the 2026 World Cup is co-hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Venue Details and FIFA Branding
While locally known as Estadio Akron because it is the home stadium of the Liga MX club Guadalajara (Chivas), the venue operates under a different name for FIFA tournament branding. Throughout the World Cup, the stadium will be officially referred to as Estadio Guadalajara.
This designation distinguishes it from other venues in North America and ensures clear geographic identification across global broadcasting platforms. The stadium opened in 2010 and is well-equipped for international fixtures, though the late kickoff will likely mean a smaller away support presence compared to daytime matches.
Why does this match matter for Group K?
The significance of this matchup lies in the contrasting trajectories of both sides. Colombia are clear favourites and will expect to win comfortably, while DR Congo aim to prove they can frustrate bigger names by replicating their draw against Portugal.
What Each Side Is Playing For
A win would all but book Colombia’s place in the knockout stage with a game to spare, giving them immense momentum heading into their final group match against Portugal. DR Congo, on 1 point and tied on goal difference with Portugal, needs a positive result to stay in contention for a top-two finish.
Betting Markets and Implied Probabilities
The nature of this match is reflected in the betting markets. According to odds from sportsbooks, Colombia are clear favourites at around -192 on the moneyline (about 8/15).
These odds imply a win probability of roughly 63 percent for Colombia and only about 13 percent for DR Congo, with the remainder for the draw. The gulf between the sides shows that bookmakers see this as far from an even contest.
| Metric | Colombia | DR Congo |
|---|---|---|
| Win Probability (Implied) | ~63% | ~13% |
| Moneyline Odds | -192 | Outsider |
| Most Likely Scoreline | Colombia 2-0 / 2-1 | — |
How did the two sides qualify for the World Cup?
The contrasting journeys of Colombia and DR Congo to the 2026 FIFA World Cup add another layer of intrigue to this Group K clash. Both teams earned their spots through hard-fought continental qualifying campaigns.
Colombia’s Return After Missing the 2022 Tournament
Colombia qualifies as a South American side (CONMEBOL) after missing the 2022 tournament. Their best World Cup result was reaching the quarter-finals in 2014, and they are back after their last appearance in 2018.
The Colombian attack proved prolific under coach Nestor Lorenzo, with creative hub James Rodriguez playing his club football for Leon in Mexico. Key players like Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich) and forward Luis Suarez will look to lead the line against DR Congo.
DR Congo’s Historic Second-Ever World Cup Appearance
DR Congo qualifies as an African side (CAF) in their second-ever World Cup and their first appearance since 1974, when they competed under the name Zaire. Their path through the African qualifying rounds was notably resilient.
The Leopards secured their place by earning a crucial draw against Portugal in their opener, with Yoane Wissa scoring the equaliser to secure DR Congo’s first World Cup point in 52 years. Coach Sebastien Desabre has a squad featuring pace on the counter-attack through Wissa and Cedric Bakambu, alongside defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Axel Tuanzebe.
What other Group K matches should fans watch for?
Group K is shaping up to be one of the most compelling groups in the tournament. Alongside Colombia vs DR Congo, there are several other fixtures that will determine the group dynamics.
- Portugal vs Uzbekistan: Scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, at NRG Stadium (branded as Houston Stadium) in Houston. This match will be crucial for both teams’ knockout hopes as they seek to build momentum.
The Group K group-stage matches conclude on Saturday, June 27, 2026, when Colombia face Portugal at Hard Rock Stadium (FIFA name “Miami Stadium”) and DR Congo take on Uzbekistan at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (FIFA name “Atlanta Stadium”). Because all four teams play each other once, every result carries weight in the race for the top two qualifying places.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colombia vs DR Congo a one-sided mismatch?
No, it is widely viewed as a comfortable win for Colombia, with models predicting around a 63% chance of victory for the South American side. However, DR Congo has already proven they can frustrate bigger names by holding Portugal to a draw.
When does the tournament open, and where will it be played?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup opens on Monday, June 11. Colombia vs DR Congo follows twelve days later as a Group K matchday 2 fixture.
Will James Rodriguez play for Colombia against DR Congo?
Yes, despite his age and playing in Mexico for Leon, the Colombian captain is expected to be fit and available as the creative hub of the squad.
Can DR Congo upset Colombia on Tuesday night?
While a win is unlikely given the implied 13% probability, DR Congo has shown they can be dangerous on the counter-attack. A draw remains a realistic outcome for the Leopards.
