
Group K heats up on matchday two as Colombia takes on DR Congo in a fixture that could shape the entire World Cup 2026 schedule for both sides. Colombia opened with a confident 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, while DR Congo earned a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Portugal in their first World Cup appearance since 1974. Whoever wins this one takes a big step toward the knockout rounds. Here is everything you need to know about kickoff time, lineups, the venue and how to find a Colombia vs DR Congo live stream free wherever you happen to be.
Match details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Colombia vs DR Congo |
| Tournament | FIFA World Cup 2026 โ Group K |
| Date | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 |
| Venue | Estadio Akron (Estadio Guadalajara), Zapopan, Mexico |
| Kickoff | 10:00 p.m. EDT | 3:00 a.m. BST (June 24) | 9:00 p.m. CDT |
Tournament Context: World Cup Group K
Group K of the 2026 FIFA World Cup consists of Portugal, DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. After matchday one, Colombia sits top of the group on goal difference following their win over Uzbekistan, with Portugal and DR Congo level on a point each after their draw in Houston. That makes this second-round meeting between Colombia and DR Congo a genuine swing match. A Colombia win all but secures their spot in the new Round of 32, while a DR Congo win or draw would keep their first World Cup appearance in five decades firmly alive. The full World Cup Group K schedule:
- June 17: Portugal 1-1 DR Congo โ NRG Stadium, Houston
- June 17: Colombia 3-1 Uzbekistan โ Estadio Azteca, Mexico City
- June 23: Portugal vs Uzbekistan โ NRG Stadium, Houston (1:00 p.m. ET)
- June 23: Colombia vs DR Congo โ Estadio Akron, Zapopan (10:00 p.m. ET)
- June 27: Colombia vs Portugal โ Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens
- June 27: DR Congo vs Uzbekistan โ Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
The top two teams from each of the 12 World Cup groups advance to the new Round of 32, with the eight best third-place finishers also progressing. With only one point separating three of the four teams in Group K, every result from here on matters a great deal.
Colombia vs DR Congo: Predicted Lineups
Colombia Predicted XI
Nestor Lorenzo has stuck largely with the same group that beat Uzbekistan, trusting experience and pace in equal measure. Lorenzo’s main task now is managing fatigue after a draining opener while keeping his attacking trio fresh enough to break down a well-organised Congolese back line.
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Camilo Vargas | Independiente Santa Fe |
| RB | Daniel Munoz | Crystal Palace |
| CB | Davinson Sanchez | Galatasaray |
| CB | Carlos Cuesta | Genk |
| LB | Johan Mojica | Cruz Azul |
| CM | Jefferson Lerma | Crystal Palace |
| CM | Richard Rios | Palmeiras |
| AM | James Rodriguez (c) | Leon |
| RW | Jhon Arias | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| LW | Luis Diaz | Bayern Munich |
| ST | Rafael Santos Borre | Werder Bremen |
DR Congo Predicted XI
Sebastien Desabre will likely make minimal changes after his side’s spirited point against Portugal. The Leopards set up to absorb pressure and break quickly, a plan that worked well in Houston and one Desabre has little reason to abandon against another technically gifted opponent.
| Position | Player | Club |
|---|---|---|
| GK | Lionel Mpasi | Le Havre |
| RB | Joris Kayembe | Cercle Brugge |
| CB | Chancel Mbemba (c) | Marseille |
| CB | Axel Tuanzebe | Burnley |
| LB | Gedeon Kalulu | Lugano |
| CM | Samuel Moutoussamy | Nantes |
| CM | Charles Pickel | Pafos |
| AM | Meschack Elia | Young Boys |
| RW | Yoane Wissa | Newcastle United |
| LW | Silas Katompa Mvumpa | PSV Eindhoven |
| ST | Cedric Bakambu | Sharjah |
Tactical Snapshot: What to Expect
Expect Colombia to dominate possession and try to stretch the pitch with Diaz and Arias running at a deep Congolese defence. DR Congo will likely sit compact in a low block, looking to spring Wissa and Katompa on the counter the way they did against Portugal. Set pieces could prove decisive given Mbemba’s aerial presence at the back and Cuesta’s threat at the other end for Colombia. Late substitutions and squad depth may end up mattering as much as the starting eleven, since both teams are now into their second match in six days.
About the Venue: Estadio Akron
Estadio Akron, officially called Estadio Guadalajara for the tournament under FIFA’s neutral naming rules, sits in Zapopan within the greater Guadalajara metropolitan area. Known locally as the “Volcano Stadium” thanks to its grass-covered, sloped exterior, the venue was designed by Populous together with local studio VFO Arquitectos and opened in 2010. It is the home of Liga MX club CD Guadalajara, known as Chivas, and is the smallest of the three Mexican venues used at this World Cup, with a tournament capacity in the region of 48,000.
Sitting at over 1,500 meters above sea level, altitude is a mild factor for visiting teams, and June afternoons in Guadalajara often bring brief but heavy thunderstorms, though these tend to pass quickly. The stadium previously hosted the 2011 Pan American Games opening ceremony and several international friendlies, and its compact bowl design is known for creating an intense, close up atmosphere, something both Colombia and DR Congo fans will hope to make the most of on matchday.
Where to Watch Colombia vs DR Congo Live Stream
Colombia vs DR Congo airs on FS1 and Telemundo in the United States on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, with kickoff at 10:00 p.m. ET. In Colombia, the match is part of the free-to-air package on Caracol TV and Canal RCN, while DR Congo fans can find national team coverage on RTNC. Coverage worldwide ranges from free terrestrial channels to subscription sports packages, so it pays to check your country’s options before kickoff. Here’s how to watch online in five simple steps:
- Find your country’s official broadcaster using the table below
- Download the broadcaster’s app, such as Caracol Play, RTNC, or FIFA+
- Create a free account if required; most free-to-air apps only need an email address
- Navigate to the World Cup section and find Colombia vs DR Congo
- Log in 15 to 20 minutes before kickoff to avoid technical issues, especially since this is a late night slot in many regions
All major broadcaster apps support iOS, Android, smart TVs, Apple TV, Fire Stick, and desktop browsers.
Best Free Viewing Options: Quick Summary
| Region | Broadcaster | Free? | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK | BBC One | ✅ Free | BBC iPlayer |
| USA | FOX (antenna/cable) | ✅ Free (antenna) | Fox Sports app (needs provider) |
| USA | FOX One | 🆓 7-day free trial | foxone.com |
| USA (Spanish) | Telemundo | ✅ Free (antenna) | Peacock (subscription) |
| Netherlands | NOS | ✅ Free | NOS.nl / NOS app |
| Sweden | SVT / TV4 | ✅ Free (SVT) / 💳 (TV4) | SVT Play / TV4 Play |
| Norway | NRK | ✅ Free | NRK TV app |
| Australia | SBS | ✅ Free | SBS On Demand |
| Ireland | RTร | ✅ Free | RTร Player |
| Germany | ARD / ZDF | ✅ Free | ARD Mediathek / ZDFmediathek |
| France | TF1 / M6 | ✅ Free | TF1+ / 6play |
| Belgium | VRT / RTBF | ✅ Free | VRT MAX / Auvio |
| Canada | TSN | 💳 Subscription | TSN+ / TSN.ca |
| MENA | beIN Sports | 💳 Subscription | beIN CONNECT app |
| India | Zee5 | 💳 Subscription | zee5.com |
| Global fallback | FIFA+ | Varies | plus.fifa.com |
Colombia vs DR Congo is shaping up as one of the more pivotal matches of World Cup Group K, with real Round of 32 implications for both sides. Whether you catch it on free-to-air television at home or stream it through an official broadcaster app, make sure you’re set up well before the 10:00 p.m. ET kickoff so you don’t miss a single moment of this World Cup 2026 group stage clash among FIFA World Cup stadiums.








