Group K After June 23: Who Advances — Colombia, Portugal Math
Colombia top World Cup 2026 Group K after a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan; Portugal and DR Congo sit on one point. Here's exactly what each team needs from the June 23 matches and the June 27 deciders, plus the eSIM for North America.
Published June 23, 2026·5 min read
Summary
Colombia top World Cup 2026 Group K with three points after a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, while Portugal and DR Congo sit on one point from their 1-1 draw. The June 23 Matchday 2 games — Portugal vs Uzbekistan and Colombia vs DR Congo — set up the June 27 deciders. Here's exactly what each team needs, plus the one eSIM that keeps you online across every host city.
Group K standings after Matchday 1
Per the group tables, Colombia's opening win gives them a clear edge, but with the new 48-team format rewarding the eight best third-placed teams, no one is mathematically out yet.
| Team | Played | Points | June 23 match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 1 | 3 | vs DR Congo (10 p.m. ET) |
| Portugal | 1 | 1 | vs Uzbekistan (1 p.m. ET) |
| DR Congo | 1 | 1 | vs Colombia (10 p.m. ET) |
| Uzbekistan | 1 | 0 | vs Portugal (1 p.m. ET) |
What each team needs
Colombia control their fate: a win over DR Congo on June 23 would put them on the verge of the Round of 32 with their June 27 game against Portugal to spare. Portugal need to beat Uzbekistan to reclaim momentum after the DR Congo draw. DR Congo stay alive with a result against Colombia. Uzbekistan, the only team without a point, essentially must win out. The cleaner the June 23 results, the simpler the June 27 deciders — track them in our Matchday 3 schedule and full Round of 32 scenarios.
eSIM vs roaming vs pocket Wi-Fi for World Cup travel
| Option | Cost | Setup time | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM | Low | ~5 min (pre-install on Wi-Fi) | Excellent (local carrier) |
| Carrier roaming | High | Instant (already enabled) | Medium (partner-dependent) |
| Pocket Wi-Fi | Medium | Airport pickup / rental | Good (extra device to charge) |
Group K straddles two countries — Houston in the USA and Guadalajara in Mexico — so fans following the group cross a border and a time zone. Checking live tables, booking the next leg, and loading mobile tickets all run on data, and roaming across the border on a home plan adds up fast. A North America eSIM keeps you online on local networks in both countries plus Canada on a single plan, from US$5 with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or card.
FAQ
QWho leads World Cup 2026 Group K after Matchday 1?
AColombia lead with three points after beating Uzbekistan 3-1. Portugal and DR Congo have one point each from their 1-1 draw, and Uzbekistan are bottom with zero.
QWhat do the June 23 Group K matches decide?
AJune 23 is Matchday 2: Portugal vs Uzbekistan (1 p.m. ET, Houston) and Colombia vs DR Congo (10 p.m. ET, Guadalajara). A Colombia win plus a Portugal win would leave both well placed before their June 27 decider.
QCan Uzbekistan still qualify from Group K?
AYes, but only by winning out — beating Portugal on June 23 and DR Congo on June 27. Even then they may need to finish among the eight best third-placed teams to reach the Round of 32.
QWhat eSIM covers Houston and Guadalajara on one plan?
AA North America eSIM covers the USA and Mexico on local networks on a single plan, plus Canada. The same eSIM works in Houston, Guadalajara, and every other host city without swapping SIMs. Plans start around US$5.
Bottom line
Group K is Colombia's to lose after Matchday 1, but the June 23 games against Uzbekistan and DR Congo still shape the June 27 deciders. Follow the full June 23 slate and grab a World Cup 2026 eSIM that covers every host city on one plan.