Colombia v Portugal prediction, lineups & World Cup 2026 tips

Thousands of yellow shirts are expected to pack Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on Sunday morning as Colombia and Portugal meet in the Group K finale of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with first place the prize for whoever comes out on top. Colombia sit top on six points, having won both of their group games, and need only a draw to clinch the group and earn what is expected to be a kinder round of 32 draw. Portugal, on four points, must win.

Nestor Lorenzo's side have been the quiet story of the group stage. A 3-1 win over Uzbekistan in Mexico City was followed by a stubborn 1-0 victory over Congo DR, with Crystal Palace right-back Daniel Munoz scoring in both games. Lorenzo is at his first World Cup as a head coach, and Colombia have not trailed once across their two fixtures. Their only concern heading into Sunday is managing the minutes of James Rodriguez, who was substituted after 58 minutes against Congo DR.

Portugal's campaign has been a different kind of story. A 1-1 draw with Congo DR in the opener raised questions about Cristiano Ronaldo's role in Roberto Martinez's side, but the 41-year-old answered his critics emphatically against Uzbekistan, scoring twice in a 5-0 win to become the first player in history to score at six different World Cup tournaments. The Ronaldo debate has quietened for now, but Martinez knows this is a significantly tougher test.

Martinez acknowledged as much at his press conference on Friday 26 June: "We started preparing for the match against Colombia back in March. We've already had 13 training sessions here in Miami to adapt to the weather." He also admitted that Portugal would be playing in what is effectively a hostile environment. "This is the first match we play away from home, so to speak. There is an enormous number of Colombian fans in Miami, so the great challenge will be to control the game and be ourselves in this environment."

Bruno Fernandes, meanwhile, was candid about what awaits in South Florida. "I think that against Colombia there will be more Colombians than people who want Portugal to win, but that's fine, that's football," the Manchester United captain said.

Lorenzo has not indicated he will rotate heavily despite qualification being secured. Colombia have genuine momentum and the incentive of topping the group is real, first place earns a round of 32 tie against a third-placed side, while second place means facing the Group L runners-up.

Lorenzo is expected to name the same XI that beat Congo DR, with his 4-3-3 shape built around the industry of Gustavo Puerta and Jefferson Lerma in midfield and the direct running of Luis Diaz on the left flank. Martinez has hinted he could make changes, noting that the squad has depth and that some starters from the first two games might not feature, though with top spot on the line, wholesale rotation seems unlikely. Diogo Costa keeps goal; Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga and Nuno Mendes form the back four; with Joao Neves, Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes in midfield. Pedro Neto, Ronaldo and Joao Felix are expected to lead the attack, though Rafael Leao will push for a start.

Colombia: Vargas; Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Puerta, Lerma, Arias; J Rodriguez, L Suarez, Diaz

Portugal: D Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Vitinha, Fernandes, J Neves; Neto, Ronaldo, Felix

Colombia v Portugal kicks off at 00:30 BST on Sunday 28 June at Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens. Live TV coverage in the UK is on BBC One, with free streaming available via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.