Colombia vs DR Congo Prediction 24.06.2026 | World Cup

Colombia travel to Guadalajara riding a wave of confidence after launching their tournament campaign with a highly professional 3-1 victory over debutants Uzbekistan in Mexico City, a result that immediately propelled Los Cafeteros to the summit of Group K.

Having painfully missed out on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Colombia have made an emphatic return to football's grandest stage, and another victory here would be enough to secure their place in the round of 16 with a game to spare, allowing them to approach their final group encounter against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal with considerably less pressure.

Goals from three different scorers, including talismanic winger Luis Diaz, not only justified the 2024 Copa America runners-up's reputation as one of the tournament's dark horses, but also highlighted the clinical edge and attacking quality required to mount a deep run on North American soil.

Head coach Nestor Lorenzo has no fresh injury concerns to contend with following the opening round, and he could opt to name an unchanged starting lineup as Colombia seek to collect another valuable three points and seal their passage to the knockout stages.

Making their first World Cup appearance after a 52-year absence — having last competed as Zaire in 1974 — DR Congo have already gone a long way towards exorcising the ghosts of the past and erasing the memories of their infamous group-stage exit, where they suffered three defeats and conceded 14 unanswered goals more than half a century ago.

Indeed, Sebastien Desabre's men produced one of the most disciplined and courageous displays of the opening round, frustrating European heavyweights Portugal in Houston and battling back from behind to secure a heroic 1-1 draw, with Yoane Wissa emerging as the saviour with a crucial equaliser.

That impressive result not only delivered the Leopards their first-ever point in World Cup history, but also reinforced the belief that their eye-catching qualification victories over African powerhouses Cameroon and Nigeria were far from a coincidence, instead serving as a clear statement that Desabre's side possess the organisation, resilience and quality to trouble even the strongest opponents.

Desabre is expected to name an almost unchanged starting XI following his side's spirited and resilient opening performance, while much of the attacking responsibility will once again fall upon Cédric Bakambu, who stands just one goal away from becoming his country's all-time leading scorer.