Heading Cristiano Ronaldo To wade World Cup The sixth record in his career, supported by a huge group of talented teammates, while targeting Portugal Winning the world title for the first time in its history.
Spanish coach Roberto Martinez’s team is considered the most prominent candidate to reach the next round from Group Eleven, where it faces the Republic of… Democratic Republic of the Congo The Uzbekistan national team is participating for the first time, before the most difficult test in front of… Colombia.
It is expected that Ronaldo and his historical rival will write Lionel Messi A new chapter in history, when they will participate in six editions of the World Cup.
But since Portugal finished fourth in the 2006 edition, which was Ronaldo’s first appearance, the team has rarely posed a real threat to the title, despite being the team’s all-time top scorer with 143 goals.
The presence of Ronaldo, who has reached the age of 41, has become seen as a key factor that prevented Portugal from exploiting its full potential in recent tournaments.
No attacker was registered Saudi victory No goal in the last nine matches he played in the World CupEuropean Cup Combined.
In fact, Ronaldo was even removed from the starting lineup by coach Fernando Santosh during the match World Cup 2022, in favor of Gonzalo Ramos.
However, Martinez has shown absolute loyalty to Ronaldo, and he has justification for that.
He scored in the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final when Portugal beat Spain On penalties to win the European Nations League title last year.
Ronaldo also scored five goals in five qualifying matches, before being sent off against the Republic of Ireland.
He was lucky not to be suspended for more than one match.
Martinez’s insistence on relying on Ronaldo also reveals the lack of other reliable attacking options.
Portugal’s real strength lies in having arguably the best midfield in the World Cup.
This line includes binary Paris Saint-Germain The Frenchman, Vitinha and Joao Neves, along with the best player in the English Premier League, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.
Diaz is Colombia’s new star
Colombia is led by veteran star James Rodriguez, 12 years after the tournament that made him a global star.
Despite his itinerant and largely ineffective career at the club level in recent years, James (34 years old) is still a key element in a team that reached the Copa America final two years ago, and finished the South American qualifiers in third place.
And Pat Luis Diaz The most prominent star of Los Cafeteros, he reaches the World Cup after the best season of his career at club level Bayern Munich German.
Tickets for Colombia’s matches were among the most sought after in the tournament, and the team is sure to enjoy great public support from fans coming from abroad and resident communities.
This makes the task of Uzbekistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo more difficult in trying to upset the expectations of the group’s two major candidates.
He is a defender Manchester City Abdulkader Khosanov is the most prominent name in Uzbekistan’s squad, which mostly relies on locally active players.
However, the Uzbek bench includes unique World Cup experience with the presence of Fabio Cannavaro, captain Italy Crowned World Cup champion in 2006.
As for the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it brings back memories of its only participation in the World Cup 52 years ago, when it was known as Zaire, and left Germany without a single point or goal scored.
A team that includes names such as Newcastle winger Yoan Wesa, Sunderland midfielder Noah Siddiqui, and West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka will aspire to achieve its first victory in the history of its World Cup participation.
The team of French coach Sebastien Dusaber had booked its ticket to the finals after defeating Cameroon and Nigeria in the playoff matches.
In this report, we highlight the features of the competition and the teams that make up Group 11 and their early struggle for qualification tickets, which includes: Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
World Cup 2026. (AFP)
Portugal
Portugal is competing in Group Eleven of the 2026 World Cup in soccer.
Achievements:
. Best participation in the World Cup: third place in 1966
. European Cup Champion 2016
. European Nations League champion in 2019 and 2025
Last participation in the World Cup: 2022 (Quarterfinals)
classification FIFA: Fifth
Nickname: “Seleção”
Most prominent clubs: Benfica, Porto, Sporting
Qualification: After being closely pursued by Ireland, the Portuguese clinched their qualification to the 2026 World Cup in the final round of qualifiers thanks to a sweeping victory over Armenia (9-1), particularly marked by a hat-trick by midfielder Joao Neves.
Coach: The Spaniard Roberto Martinez previously coached the Wales national team and then the Everton and Wigan clubs in England, but he mainly shined as coach of the Belgium national team (2016-2022), which he led to the semi-finals of the World Cup in Russia. Since assuming leadership of Portugal in 2023, the “Seleção” was eliminated from the quarter-finals of the 2024 European Cup after losing to France on penalties, but was crowned champion of the 2025 UEFA Nations League after defeating Germany in the semi-finals and Spain in the final.
The Star: The Portuguese national team includes a group of talents, including an exceptional midfield consisting of Paris Saint-Germain, the European champions, Vitinha and Joao Neves, and Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, who was chosen as player of the year in the English Premier League. But all eyes remain on the legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who is 41 years old and is heading to his record sixth World Cup. Although he is no longer with the same previous vitality, the star, who has been playing with Al-Nassr Saudi Arabia since 2023, regained his starting place in the national team after sitting on the bench in the eighth and quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar, and he aspires to win the only major title that he lacks.
Ambitions: Despite winning the European Cup in 2016, Portugal often disappointed in the World Cup, as its best achievement dates back to 1966, in its first participation, when it finished third under the leadership of the legend Eusebio and his teammates. After its victory over Spain in the European Nations League final last year, and thanks to its solidity at all levels, Portugal is expected to go far, even if Roberto Martinez prefers to talk about the status of “a candidate, but not the most prominent candidate” for the world title.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is competing in Group XI of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Achievements:
. Best participation in the Asian Cup: semi-finals in 2011
. First participation in the World Cup
FIFA rating: 50
Nickname: “White Wolves”
Most prominent clubs: Pakhtakor Tashkent, Neftchi Ferghana
Qualification: With only one loss in ten matches (against Qatar), Uzbekistan made a strong showing in the Asian qualifiers, and finished its journey in second place behind Iran to reserve its first place in the World Cup. In particular, the Uzbeks achieved two draws against the Iranian team, which is the most experienced on the international scene.
Coach: Despite Uzbekistan’s historic qualification, Timur Kabadze’s rank was demoted in October 2025, after the local federation announced his appointment as assistant to the new coach, Italian Fabio Cannavaro. Kabadze then submitted his resignation, and the 2006 world champion took over the leadership of the Uzbek national team, after his previous coaching experience, especially in China.
The Star: Central defender Abdulkadir Khosanov is the only player in the Uzbek squad who has succeeded in imposing himself in one of the major European leagues, while the rest of the players are active in the local league or in Iran, Iraq and Turkey… After his start in Belarus, the Tashkent native spent two seasons with French club Lens, where his speed and defensive ferocity allowed him to impose himself with “Blood and Gold”. Then he moved to Manchester City, where this season, despite the intensity of competition and his young age (22 years old), he played 21 matches in the English Premier League and six matches in the Champions League.
Aspirations: The World Cup represents a completely new experience for Uzbekistan, and it is logically difficult for it to aspire to go beyond the group stage in a group in which Portugal leads the nominations. Colombia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo also appear to be ahead of it in terms of chances.
Colombia
Colombia is competing in Group XI of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Achievements:
. Best participation in the World Cup: quarter-finals in 2014
. Copa America champion in 2001
Last participation in the World Cup: 2018 (final 16)
FIFA rating: 13
Nickname: “Cafeteros”
Most prominent clubs: Atletico Nacional, Millionarios, Independiente Santa Fe, Atletico Junior
Qualification: After failing to reach the 2022 World Cup, Colombia regained its balance in the 2026 edition qualifiers, finishing third in the South American qualifiers (CONMEBOL), equal on points with four other teams, and ten points behind Argentina, who led the group. However, the Colombians remained undefeated against the “Albiceleste” (a win and a draw), and they also succeeded in inflicting a loss on Brazil.
Coach: Argentine Nestor Lourenco has a limited coaching history, but he knows the Colombian national team well, as he served as assistant coach between 2012 and 2019, and participated in two World Cups. After his appointment as first coach in 2022, he revived the career of James Rodriguez, despite his fluctuating levels with clubs, and gave him the leadership badge. Under his leadership, Colombia reached the final of the 2024 Copa America, which Argentina won.
The Star: One of the stars of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, striker James Rodriguez then signed with Real Madrid, before his career declined due to injuries and fluctuations in level. He later moved between several clubs (Germany’s Bayern Munich, England’s Everton, Greek Olympiacos…). Today, he plays in the American League with Minnesota United, but he regained his brilliance, especially with the national team under the supervision of Nestor Lourenço, where he was chosen as the best player in the 2024 Copa America. Before he turns thirty-five, James will play in his third World Cup, alongside the dangerous winger of Bayern Munich, Luis Dias, and former Marseille player Luis Soares, the top scorer in the Portuguese league with Sporting (28 goals).
Aspirations: In a group that seems within reach, where Portugal is the most prominent candidate, Colombia aspires to pass the group stage at the expense of Uzbekistan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which had to go through the playoffs to qualify. Despite having clear attacking power, Colombia has not historically surpassed the quarter-final barrier, and it also suffered a clear loss to France in March (1-3).
Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of Congo is competing in Group Eleven of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Achievements:
. Champion of the African Cup of Nations in 1968 and 1974
. Best World Cup participation: First round (1974)
Last participation in the World Cup: 1974 (first round)
FIFA rating: 46
Nickname: “Panthers”
Most prominent clubs: TP Mazembe, Vita Club
Qualification: After finishing second in its group in the African qualifiers behind Senegal, the Republic of the Congo was forced to enter the playoffs in order to reserve a ticket to the World Cup. After overtaking Cameroon and Nigeria in the African playoff, it narrowly won the joint continental playoff over Jamaica 1-0 after extra time.
Coach: Since taking over the leadership of the Democratic Republic of the Congo national team in 2022, Sebastien Dusaber has achieved a remarkable career in the 2023 African Cup of Nations (semi-final), before exiting in the 2025 edition. The 49-year-old French coach, who did not have a professional career as a player, supervised the training of many clubs, especially in Africa, from Ivory Coast (Asec Mimosas) and Cameroon (Coton Sport) to Tunisia (Esperance Athletic Club), passing through Egypt. (Ismaily and Pyramids) and Morocco (Wydad Casablanca). He also led the Ugandan national team between 2017 and 2019.
The Star: At the age of 21, Sunderland midfielder Noah Siddiqui is one of the most prominent discoveries of the season in the English Premier League, as he participated in 33 matches. The player was born in Belgium, and previously played for Union Saint-Gilloise, and contributed under the supervision of French coach Regis Le Pre in the distinguished season of the emerging team, which finished the tournament in seventh place.
Aspirations: Behind Portugal, the Democratic Republic of the Congo can logically aspire to progress beyond the group stage, whether by finishing second or as best third. But the “Panthers” remain outside the nominations circle compared to Colombia, with the need to also be wary of Uzbekistan.
