FIFA WC 2026: Colombia vs DR Congo kick-off time, venue, squads
Synopsis
DR Congo arrived at the 2026 World Cup as underdogs and left their opener with a historic point against Portugal. Now they face a Colombia side one win away from the knockout stage — and the Leopards, backed by Yoane Wissa's counter-attacking threat, are not here to make up the numbers.
Key Takeaways
Colombia face DR Congo in FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K on 24 June 2026 at 07:30 AM IST .
Venue: Guadalajara Stadium, Guadalajara ; Referee: Maurizio Mariani .
Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1 in their opener; a win on Wednesday would confirm their Round of 16 place.
DR Congo held Portugal to a 1-1 draw , earning the nation's first-ever FIFA World Cup point ; Yoane Wissa scored the equaliser.
Wednesday's match is the first-ever meeting between the two nations.
Indian viewers can stream live on Zee5 (subscription required) or watch on Unite8 Sports 1/2 TV channels.
Colombia face DR Congo in a pivotal FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K clash at Guadalajara Stadium, Guadalajara on Wednesday, 24 June, with kick-off at 07:30 AM IST. A win would secure Los Cafeteros an early berth in the Round of 16, while the Leopards are riding high after one of the tournament's opening-round shocks.
Colombia's Case for Early Qualification
Coach Néstor Lorenzo's side hit the ground running, defeating tournament debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 in their Group K opener to move top of the table. Three more points on Wednesday would confirm Colombia's passage to the knockout stage ahead of their potentially decisive encounter with Portugal later in the week. The result has reinforced Colombia's standing as a credible dark-horse contender in the competition.
DR Congo's Historic Opening Draw
DR Congo produced arguably the biggest surprise of the opening round by holding Portugal to a 1-1 draw. The Leopards fell behind to an early header from João Neves but held their shape, defended with discipline, and levelled through Yoane Wissa just before half-time. That point was the nation's first-ever at a FIFA World Cup — a landmark moment, given their only prior appearance came as Zaire in 1974, when they failed to score across three group games.
Key Tactical Battle to Watch
Colombia are expected to control possession, but DR Congo's compact defensive block could make life difficult. Wissa's pace and clinical finishing give the African side a credible counter-attacking outlet that Colombia's backline cannot afford to underestimate. Wednesday's fixture also marks the first-ever meeting between the two nations, adding a fresh dimension to what already promises to be a tightly contested Group K encounter.
How to Watch Colombia vs DR Congo Live in India
Indian viewers can catch the match via live streaming on Zee5 (platform and app), with a subscription required. Live telecast will be available on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels.
Match Details and Full Squads
Date and kick-off: Wednesday, 24 June 2026, 07:30 AM IST
Venue: Guadalajara Stadium, Guadalajara
Referee: Maurizio Mariani
Colombia Squad —
Goalkeepers: Camilo Vargas, David Ospina, Álvaro Montero
Defenders: Johan Mojica, Devier Machado, Daniel Muñoz, Santiago Arias, Yerry Mina, Davinson Sánchez, Jhon Lucumí, Willer Ditta
Midfielders: James Rodríguez, Jefferson Lerma, Richard Ríos, Juan Fernando Quintero, Jorge Carrascal, Kevin Castaño, Jaminton Campaz
Forwards: Luis Díaz, Carlos Andrés Gómez, Jhon Córdoba, Juan Camilo Hernández, Jhon Arias
DR Congo Squad —
Goalkeepers: Timothy Fayulu, Lionel Mpasi, Mike Epolo
Defenders: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Gedeon Kalulu, Joris Kayembe, Arthur Masuaku, Steve Kapuadi, Rocky Bushiri, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Dylan Batubinsika
Midfielders: Noah Sadiki, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, Nathan Mukau, Charles Pickel, Ngal'ayel Mukau Mbuku, Brian Cipenga, Theo Bongonda, Gael Kakuta
Forwards: Meschack Elia, Fiston Mayele, Cedric Bakambu, Simon Banza, Yoane Wissa
With qualification within reach for Colombia and momentum firmly behind DR Congo, this Group K showdown could be the match of the round.
Point of View
And it changes the calculus for every team in Group K. Colombia, for all their possession quality and star power in James Rodríguez and Luis Díaz, now face a side that believes. The bigger story here is structural: African nations have repeatedly shown at recent World Cups that compact defending plus a pace threat up front is a viable equaliser against technically superior opponents. If DR Congo can hold Colombia and Portugal stumbles, this group could produce one of the tournament's great upsets.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the Colombia vs DR Congo FIFA World Cup 2026 match?
The match kicks off on Wednesday, 24 June 2026 at 07:30 AM IST at Guadalajara Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico. It is a Group K fixture of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
How can I watch Colombia vs DR Congo live in India?
Indian viewers can stream the match live on the Zee5 platform and app, with a subscription required. Live telecast is available on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD TV channels.
What happened in Colombia's and DR Congo's opening World Cup matches?
Colombia defeated tournament debutants Uzbekistan 3-1 in their Group K opener. DR Congo held Portugal to a 1-1 draw, with Yoane Wissa scoring the equaliser — earning the nation its first-ever FIFA World Cup point.
What is at stake for Colombia in the Group K clash against DR Congo?
A victory would secure Colombia's place in the Round of 16 ahead of their remaining group game against Portugal. It would also cement their status as a dark-horse contender in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Have Colombia and DR Congo met before in international football?
No. Wednesday's Group K encounter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is the first-ever meeting between Colombia and DR Congo in international football.
