Colombia vs. DR Congo Picks and Prediction for Tuesday, June 23, 2026
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Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, one of three Mexican venues hosting World Cup 2026 matches, stages Group K's most consequential Matchday 2 fixture as Colombia look to seal their place in the knockout round at 10:00 PM ET. Colombia sit top of the group after a commanding 3-1 opening win over Uzbekistan, with goals from Luis DĂaz, Daniel Muñoz, and Jaminton Campaz announcing their attacking intent to the tournament. DR Congo arrive on one point from a remarkable 1-1 draw with Portugal, Yoane Wissa's goal stunning the European heavyweights and confirming that the Leopards, back at the World Cup for the first time since 1974, will not be passive participants. Three points for Colombia seals their Round of 32 place with a game to spare; a DR Congo win would leapfrog them above Portugal and put their own qualification destiny firmly in their hands. Read on to find out which side comes out on top in our Colombia vs. DR Congo prediction. Don't go down on strikes! Get our top World Cup Predictions and increase your bankroll!
Colombia are the clear favorites at -195, with the draw at +320 and DR Congo available at +600.
Colombia: DĂaz in the Form of His Life, Lorenzo's Machine Rolling
Colombia returned to the World Cup stage after missing Qatar 2022 entirely with a statement, a composed 3-1 victory over Uzbekistan that showcased the full attacking depth NĂ©stor Lorenzo has assembled across his tenure. Luis DĂaz registered 23 goals and 26 assists for Bayern Munich this season and has 23 goals and eight assists at international level, a productivity rate that makes him arguably the most dangerous wide attacker in the entire tournament. His goal against Uzbekistan was the continuation of a form arc that has made him the centerpiece around which Colombia's entire offensive structure is built, driving from the left and cutting inside with pace and directness that no defensive structure has been able to contain consistently.
The duel that will define this match is Luis DĂaz against Aaron Wan-Bissaka on DR Congo's right flank. DĂaz has been Colombia's most direct attacking weapon, scoring in the opener against Uzbekistan and running at defenders with consistent purpose. Wan-Bissaka is comfortable in one-on-one defensive situations from his Premier League experience, but DĂaz will be given support from overloads and combinations with the central midfield. James RodrĂguez, 34, looks set to start in an advanced role alongside Jefferson Lerma, DĂaz, and Jhon Arias, a creative quartet that gives Lorenzo multiple routes to goal against a DR Congo side that will likely sit deep and defend in compact blocks.
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Colombia have won five of their last seven games, and the momentum of a convincing opening win gives Lorenzo's squad the psychological platform to take control of Group K before facing Portugal on Matchday 3. Colombia no significant injury concerns heading into Guadalajara, allowing Lorenzo to name an unchanged XI from the Uzbekistan win, a consistency of selection that reinforces the cohesion this group has built across a remarkable unbeaten run that included historic victories over Spain, Brazil, and Germany.
DR Congo: Desabre's Tactical Masterclass, Wissa and Bakambu the Counter-Attacking Threat
SĂ©bastien Desabre earned plenty of plaudits for his tactical acumen as DR Congo sat back and ceded possession against Portugal, but were efficient in their transitions. Despite having just 25% of the ball, they had more shots than Portugal and generated more xG than Cristiano Ronaldo and company. The draw was an excellent result. The performance raised an immediate question: can Desabre replicate that defensive discipline against a Colombia attack that is more direct, more varied in its threats, and considerably more clinical in front of goal than the Portuguese were in their frustrating Houston opener?
Desabre set up in a 5-3-2 against Portugal, but against Colombia, he might be better off with a four-man backline and bringing Noah Sadiki back into his starting lineup. The tactical flexibility to shift formation between matches reflects a coaching intelligence that has guided DR Congo through a historic qualifying campaign, and the personnel at his disposal give him options. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, and Wissa are all set to start, with CĂ©dric Bakambu providing an experienced partner for Wissa in what is a frontline with legitimate Premier League and La Liga pedigree.
DR Congo's recent form shows a team that concedes sparingly but also finds goals hard to come by. The 0-0 against Denmark and 1-0 over Jamaica are representative of a side that defends first, and the Portugal draw underlined their capacity to stay organised against far more fancied opponents. DR Congo have failed to score in only two of their last 19 outings, meaning Wissa and Bakambu represent a consistent enough goal threat that Colombia's defense, which has occasionally been caught high by pace-heavy counter-attacks, cannot afford to be complacent. Colombia's fluid system leaves gaps in their backline, and in Wissa and Bakambu, Congo have the personnel to hurt them.
Colombia vs. DR Congo Picks
- Match Result Pick: Colombia
A Colombian side in strong scoring form, facing an opponent making just their second-ever World Cup appearance, represents a sound play at a price the market has set fairly. Colombia have the creative depth and attacking quality to eventually break down any defensive block in this tournament, and the motivation of sealing their knockout-round place in Guadalajara gives Lorenzo's side an additional edge. DR Congo's Portugal draw was admirable, but Colombia's pressing intensity and the pace of DĂaz in behind Wan-Bissaka is a different tactical problem from anything Desabre has prepared for. Take Colombia to win.
- Over/Under Pick: Under 2.5 Goals
The Under 2.5 goals is available at 4/6 and represents a reasonable play if DR Congo's defensive structure holds. Desabre's tactical identity is built around keeping things tight and striking on the counter, the Portugal draw produced just one goal across 90 minutes , and Colombia, for all their attacking quality, were beaten by France and Croatia in pre-tournament friendlies, suggesting elite defensive organization can keep their scoring output manageable. With DR Congo's defensive resolve evidenced by five goals conceded across nine qualifying matches and the Portugal clean sheet for 45 minutes, expect a controlled Colombia win in which the goals are hard-earned rather than free-flowing. Take the Under.
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