Colombia face Congo DR on Tuesday, June 23 at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara (Zapopan), Mexico, a Group K, kick-off time, team news showdown that could settle who controls the race for the knockout rounds.
There is no previous meeting between these two nations at any Football tournament, so this is genuinely new ground for both camps. In this blog, you will find everything you need to know about how to watch and stream Colombia vs Congo DR online, along with fresh team news, full squad lists, kick off details, broadcast options, and a tactical breakdown of the match.
Key Details
- Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 8 p.m. CDT (10 p.m. EDT / 3 a.m. BST Wednesday / 7.30 a.m. IST Wednesday / 12 p.m. AEST Wednesday)
- Venue: Estadio Akron, Guadalajara (Zapopan), Mexico
- Where to Watch: Fox Sports (USA) | ITV1 and BBC (UK) | SBS (Australia) | Zee5 (India) | CTV, TSN, RDS (Canada)
Where to Watch Colombia vs Congo DR Football World Cup Match?
Fox Sports carries the match in the United States, while ITV and the BBC share UK coverage, SBS covers Australia, Zee5 covers India, and Bell Media’s CTV, TSN and RDS networks carry the game in Canada.
Most of these options are free to air. Fox is available over the air in the US, BBC and ITV are free in the UK through iPlayer and ITVX, and SBS is completely free in Australia through SBS On Demand.
How to watch Colombia vs Congo DR with a VPN
If the match is unavailable in your region, a VPN unlocks free access to ITVX, the UK broadcaster showing every Group K fixture live.
ITVX is geoblocked to the UK, so a VPN that assigns you a British IP address is needed to get past the regional restriction and stream the match for free.
Follow these steps to get set up before kick off.
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app.
- Connect to a UK server to get a British IP address.
- Visit ITVX and sign in, or create a free account.
- Search for the Colombia vs Congo DR match and start streaming live.
Colombia Vs Congo DR Football World Cup in 2026 Team News
Colombia Team News
Nestor Lorenzo has led Colombia back to the World Cup after their painful absence from Qatar 2022, guiding the team to a commanding third place finish in CONMEBOL qualifying.
The Argentine coach’s side scored 28 goals through 18 qualifying matches, including historic home wins over Brazil and Argentina, and a record breaking 6 3 away win over Venezuela in September 2025.
Colombia opened the tournament with a 3 1 win over Uzbekistan in Mexico City, with Luis Diaz, Daniel Munoz and Jaminton Campaz all scoring in a controlled performance.
Their warm up form leading into the tournament was mixed but instructive. Colombia beat Costa Rica 3 1 and Jordan 2 0 in their final two friendlies, having lost narrowly to France and Croatia earlier in their preparation camp.
James Rodriguez captains the side and remains Colombia’s all time leading scorer at the Football World Cup, having won the Golden Boot at Brazil 2014. Now 34 and playing for Minnesota United after a short term MLS move, he continues to orchestrate Colombia’s attack from a deeper role.
Luis Diaz is the squad’s headline act after a sensational season at Bayern Munich, and he scored in the Uzbekistan win to confirm his importance to this group. David Ospina remains the most experienced player in the squad with 129 caps, while Richard Rios arrives in form after a strong campaign at Benfica.
No major injury concerns or selection surprises have emerged for Colombia heading into this fixture, with Lorenzo expected to make at most minor adjustments to the side that started against Uzbekistan.
Lorenzo’s Colombia plays a fluid, transition based system built around quick combinations through midfield and pace in the wide areas. The system leans on Diaz and Jhon Arias to stretch defenses, with James Rodriguez dictating tempo from a central position behind the front line.
Congo DR Team News
Sebastien Desabre has overseen one of the stories of the tournament, leading Congo DR back to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when the nation competed as Zaire.
The French coach, who has never played the game professionally, built his reputation across eight African countries before taking the Congo DR job in 2022, and he guided the team to the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations semifinals before sealing qualification this year.
Congo DR’s route to North America ran through a dramatic CAF playoff phase. They beat Cameroon, then edged Nigeria 4 3 on penalties after a 1 1 draw, before beating Bermuda 2 0 and then defeating Jamaica through Axel Tuanzebe’s 100th minute winner in the intercontinental playoff final.
Their warm up form before the tournament showed defensive resilience without consistent firepower. Congo DR drew Denmark 0 0 in Liege and then lost 2 1 to Chile in their final send off match.
Congo DR opened their World Cup campaign with a 1 1 draw against Portugal in Houston, a result built on a compact defensive setup that produced more shots and a higher xG than Cristiano Ronaldo’s side despite holding only a quarter of possession.
Captain Chancel Mbemba is the squad’s defensive cornerstone, holding the national record with 107 caps and scoring the decisive penalty in the playoff win over Nigeria. Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa is Congo DR’s most dangerous attacking outlet, and his equalizer against Portugal was the country’s first ever World Cup goal.
Veteran striker Cedric Bakambu sits on 21 international goals, one short of the country’s all time scoring record, and his experience and aerial presence give Desabre a different attacking option from the bench or in a front two.
No fresh injury news has emerged from the Congo DR camp ahead of this fixture, with Desabre expected to select from the same group that started against Portugal, though he may adjust the system after using a back five in the opener.
Desabre’s side is built on defensive structure and fast vertical transitions, typically lining up in a 3 5 2 or a more conservative 5 3 2 against stronger opposition. Against Colombia, reports suggest he could shift to a four man backline and bring Noah Sadiki back into a more progressive midfield role to support quicker breaks through Wissa and Bakambu.
Colombia World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers: David Ospina, Camilo Vargas, Alvaro Montero
- Defenders: Daniel Munoz, Santiago Arias, Davinson Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi, Yerry Mina, Willer Ditta, Deiver Machado, Johan Mojica
- Midfielders: Gustavo Puerta, James Rodriguez, Jefferson Lerma, Jhon Arias, Jorge Carrascal, Juan Fernando Quintero, Richard Rios, Kevin Castano, Jaminton Campaz, Juan Portilla
- Attackers: Luis Diaz, Luis Suarez, Jhon Cordoba, Carlos Gomez, Juan Camilo Hernandez
Congo DR World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers: Lionel Mpasi, Timothy Fayulu, Matthieu Epolo
- Defenders: Chancel Mbemba, Aaron Wan Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Gedeon Kalulu, Joris Kayembe, Dylan Batubinsika, Steve Kapuadi, Aaron Tshibola
- Midfielders: Meschak Elia, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, Charles Pickel, Gael Kakuta, Noah Sadiki, Nathanael Mbuku, Ngal’ayel Mukau, Brian Cipenga
- Attackers: Cedric Bakambu, Theo Bongonda, Fiston Mayele, Yoane Wissa, Simon Banza
Colombia VS Congo DR Match Preview
Colombia and Congo DR meet on June 23 at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, a venue better known as the Zapopan stadium and one suited to a South American side accustomed to altitude and heat. There is no head to head history between the nations, so the contest is shaped entirely by current form rather than any past meeting on the world stage.
Colombia arrive having topped Group K after their opening win, returning to the tournament with the same swagger that carried them through a difficult CONMEBOL qualifying campaign. Congo DR arrive as the romantic story of the group, back at the World Cup for the first time in 52 years and already with a famous point against one of the tournament favorites.
The stakes are significant for both sides. Colombia can all but secure a place in the round of 32 with a win, leaving only a dead rubber against Portugal to navigate on the final matchday. Congo DR cannot afford a second straight draw if Portugal beat Uzbekistan elsewhere, so Desabre may be forced into a more attacking approach than the one that worked in Houston.
Tactical Outlook
Colombia are expected to press higher and look to overload the flanks early, using Diaz’s pace and Arias’s movement to drag Congo DR’s back line out of position.
Congo DR are likely to sit in a compact mid block and look to break quickly through Wissa and Bakambu, the same approach that frustrated Portugal for long spells in their opener.
The key individual matchup pits Luis Diaz against right back Aaron Wan Bissaka, whose one on one defending from his Premier League career will be tested repeatedly by Colombia’s most direct outlet.
Colombia need an early goal to force Congo DR out of their shape, while Congo DR need defensive discipline through the first half hour to keep the contest within reach into the closing stages.
Football World Cup in 2026 Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Kick off |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 21 | Spain vs Saudi Arabia | Atlanta | 20:00 |
| June 21 | Belgium vs IR Iran | Los Angeles | 23:00 |
| June 21 | Uruguay vs Cabo Verde | Miami | 21:00 |
| June 22 | New Zealand vs Egypt | Vancouver | 01:00 (June 23) |
| June 22 | Argentina vs Austria | Dallas | 21:00 |
| June 22 | France vs Iraq | Philadelphia | 20:00 |
| June 23 | Norway vs Senegal | New York/NJ | 23:00 |
| June 23 | Jordan vs Algeria | San Francisco | 01:00 (June 24) |
| June 23 | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | Houston | 22:00 |
| June 23 | England vs Ghana | Boston | 19:00 |
| June 23 | Panama vs Croatia | Toronto | 22:00 |
| June 24 | Colombia vs Congo DR | Guadalajara | 01:00 (June 25 GMT) / 8 p.m. local June 23 |
| June 24 | Switzerland vs Canada | Vancouver | 01:00 (June 25) |
| June 24 | Bosnia Herzegovina vs Qatar | Seattle | 01:00 (June 25) |
| June 24 | Scotland vs Brazil | Miami | 21:00 |
| June 24 | Morocco vs Haiti | Atlanta | 21:00 |
2026 Football World Cup Preview
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
2026 Football World Cup Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, this World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in 2026 Football World Cup
There will be 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where these games will take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match is especially historic. The tournament kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the event.
The Stars to Watch in 2026 Football World Cup
The 2026 Football World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
2026 Football World Cup Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Prize Money and Commercial Scale for 2026 Football World Cup
The prize money for this World Cup was confirmed at a official meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended World Cup with 3.6 million fans. But that record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
2026 Football World Cup official broadcasters
Here’s a list of the official broadcasters for the 2026 Football World Cup Qatar in different countries across the world.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 Football World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is more than a football tournament; it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
The match kicks off on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 8 p.m. local time at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara (Zapopan), Mexico.
Both teams play in Group K alongside Portugal and Uzbekistan, with the group’s two final matchdays deciding who advances to the round of 32.
Colombia opened the tournament with a 3 1 win over Uzbekistan, following a strong run of warm up form that included wins over Costa Rica and Jordan.
Yoane Wissa is Congo DR’s most dangerous attacker, having scored the country’s first ever World Cup goal in their 1 1 draw with Portugal, while veteran Cedric Bakambu sits one goal short of the national scoring record.
Using a VPN is legal in most countries, though streaming through a broadcaster’s app while connected may breach that broadcaster’s terms of service, so check local regulations and the relevant terms before streaming.
Chancel Mbemba holds the Congo DR national record with 107 caps, making him the most experienced player in the squad heading into the tournament.
