Colombia vs DR Congo Picks, Predictions & Betting Odds: World Cup 2026 Preview
Colombia vs DR Congo meet at Estadio Akron on June 23 with Colombia one win from the knockouts. Our pick: Colombia to win and under 2.5 goals.
Daniele Quaranta
Updated on 20 June 2026
| Match | Date | Kickoff | Venue | Stage | TV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia vs DR Congo | June 23, 2026 | 8:00 PM (UTC-6) | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara (Zapopan), Mexico | Group K, Matchday 2 | Fox Sports |
| Team | Played | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| DR Congo | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Portugal | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Uzbekistan | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Why This Game Matters
A win for Colombia on Matchday 2 would put them within touching distance of the knockout rounds with a game to spare, making this one of Group K’s most decisive early fixtures. DR Congo, meanwhile, arrived at their first World Cup in 52 years with a creditable draw against Portugal and know that a defeat here almost certainly ends their last-16 ambitions before a ball is kicked against Uzbekistan. The stakes could hardly be clearer: Colombia are building toward a deep run, and DR Congo are fighting to stay alive in the most consequential tournament of their modern era.
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Our Pick
Colombia to win and under 2.5 goals is the call here, with the Colombians backed to grind out a controlled victory at Estadio Akron rather than blow the Congolese away. At -192 with BetOnline, the Colombia win price reflects the quality gap, but the goals market at -143 for under 2.5 represents real value given both sides’ tendency toward defensive organization in high-stakes fixtures.
Colombia vs DR Congo: Preview, Picks & Betting Odds
This Colombia vs DR Congo betting odds breakdown starts with a simple premise: one team belongs to the upper tier of this group, and the other is an underdog that has already demonstrated it will not roll over quietly. Colombia’s 3-1 opening victory over Uzbekistan was authoritative without being flawless, and coach Nestor Lorenzo will demand more defensive solidity after conceding. The presence of Luis Diaz, James Rodriguez, and a forward line packed with European-based talent makes Colombia legitimately dangerous at this level.
DR Congo’s draw against Portugal was a genuine statement. Holding one of the tournament favorites to 1-1 showed tactical discipline and physical intensity that Colombia cannot dismiss. Coach Sebastien Desabre has built a pragmatic, hard-to-beat side, and the Leopards will arrive in Guadalajara with nothing to lose and everything to prove. Yoane Wissa, who scored against Portugal, gives them a genuine threat on the counter.
The key question for Colombia vs DR Congo picks and predictions is whether Colombia’s creative superiority translates into a decisive advantage against a side willing to defend deep. The South Americans have the quality to break compact blocks, but DR Congo’s resilience will demand patience. Expect a measured, professional Colombia performance rather than a goal feast.
Recent Form & Trends
Colombia
- Uzbekistan (N): Won 3-1 (World Cup)
- Jordan (N): Won 2-0 (Friendly)
- Costa Rica (H): Won 3-1 (Friendly)
- France (N): Lost 1-3 (Friendly)
- Croatia (N): Lost 1-2 (Friendly)
Colombia arrive in form that inspires confidence at competitive level. Three wins from three since those pre-tournament friendly losses to France and Croatia suggest Lorenzo had a plan for the tournament proper that he was not fully revealing in warm-up games. The 3-1 win over Uzbekistan on Matchday 1 had goals from Luis Diaz, Daniel Munoz, and Jaminton Campaz, a spread of scorers that signals attacking depth rather than dependence on a single striker.
DR Congo
- Portugal (A): Drew 1-1 (World Cup)
- Chile (N): Lost 1-2 (Friendly)
- Denmark (N): Drew 0-0 (Friendly)
- Jamaica (N): Won 1-0 (World Cup Qualification)
- Bermuda (N): Won 2-0 (Friendly)
DR Congo’s result against Portugal is the single most important data point heading into this fixture. Sébastien Desabre’s side did not simply survive; they equalized and competed for the full 90 minutes. Their pre-tournament friendly defeat to Chile and the goalless draw against Denmark suggested an organized but limited attack, yet Matchday 1 revealed a team capable of punishing anyone on the counter. Yoane Wissa’s goal against Portugal will have lifted the dressing room enormously.
Injuries, Suspensions & Roster News
Colombia head into this fixture without any reported suspensions from Matchday 1, and Lorenzo has a near-fully fit squad to choose from. The depth at his disposal is striking: James Rodriguez (126 caps, 31 international goals) provides veteran creative leadership, Luis Diaz brings pace and directness from the left, and the midfield trio of Jefferson Lerma, Richard Rios, and Jhon Arias gives the side structure and box-to-box energy. Goalkeeper David Ospina (130 caps) and veteran center-back Davinson Sanchez (79 caps) anchor the defensive unit. There are no indications of enforced changes ahead of kickoff.
For DR Congo, the squad emerged from the Portugal draw with their confidence intact and, crucially, no suspensions or serious injuries reported. Chancel Mbemba (109 caps) remains the defensive cornerstone, bringing Ligue 1 experience from Lille, while Yoane Wissa’s early tournament goal will see him start again up front. The midfield of Samuel Moutoussamy, Charles Pickel, and Edo Kayembe provides the engine for Desabre’s disciplined system. Cedric Bakambu (70 caps, 21 international goals) remains the most experienced attacking option off the bench.
Neither side reports notable absentees. Colombia’s squad depth is simply a level above most Group K opponents, which makes the under 2.5 goals market more compelling than the Colombia win price at -192, where the value has already been compressed by the market.
Expected Lineups
Colombia (4-2-3-1): Ospina; Munoz, Sanchez, Jhon Lucumi, Johan Mojica; Lerma, Rios; Arias, James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz; Luis Suarez.
DR Congo (4-3-3): Lionel Mpasi; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Dylan Batubinsika, Arthur Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Pickel, Edo Kayembe; Meshack Elia, Wissa, Theo Bongonda.
Predicted lineups – squads to be confirmed ahead of kickoff.
Key Matchup to Watch
The duel between Luis Diaz and Aaron Wan-Bissaka is where this game could be decided. Diaz has established himself as one of Colombia’s most decisive attacking weapons, scoring at this tournament against Uzbekistan and carrying seven goals across recent international appearances. Wan-Bissaka is an elite one-on-one defender, but he has spent the majority of his career at right back in the Premier League rather than against this level of wide attacker at a World Cup. If Diaz can get in behind or drive at Wan-Bissaka on the half-turn, Colombia will create the high-quality chances their forward line demands. DR Congo’s discipline is strong enough to contain Colombia in central areas, so the wide zone on Colombia’s left is where the game’s defining moments are most likely to arrive.
Best Bets & Expert Picks
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Main Pick: Colombia to Win (-192, BetOnline)
This Colombia vs DR Congo prediction lands on a Colombia win, but the price requires context. At -192, you are paying heavily for the favorite, but the quality gap is real: Colombia have won three straight at competitive level, opened with a three-goal performance, and carry a squad whose depth and European-club pedigree exceeds DR Congo’s by a meaningful margin. The value here is not in the headline price, but in combining the win with the goals market to boost the overall return.
Goals Market: Under 2.5 Goals (-143, BetOnline)
This is the sharpest play on the board. DR Congo held Portugal to a 1-1 draw, kept Denmark scoreless in a friendly, and conceded just five goals in nine qualifying matches. Colombia’s Matchday 1 score of 3-1 flatters the total somewhat; Uzbekistan were poor. Expect Colombia to control the tempo and win narrowly rather than flood the net. The best available price of -143 reflects the market’s genuine split on this fixture.
Scorer Market: Luis Diaz Anytime Scorer
Diaz has scored in this tournament already and leads Colombia’s recent scoring charts across international appearances. He occupies the left wing in a system that feeds him regularly, and DR Congo’s right side will be tested repeatedly throughout the 90 minutes. His pace on the counter and movement in the final third make him the obvious first call in anytime scorer markets for this fixture.
Best Bet Summary: Colombia Win + Under 2.5 Goals
Colombia win the game, it stays tight. A 1-0 or 2-0 final score is the most likely outcome based on DR Congo’s defensive record and Colombia’s controlled, professional approach to Group K.
Betting Odds & Lines
Here is a full breakdown of the current Colombia vs DR Congo betting odds across the three approved operators for this fixture.
| Outcome | BetOnline | Lucky Rebel | BetNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia Win | -192 | -192 | -197 |
| Draw | +327 | +327 | +315 |
| DR Congo Win | +600 | +600 | +575 |
| Market | BetOnline | Lucky Rebel | BetNow |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 2.5 Goals | +130 | +128 | +128 |
| Under 2.5 Goals | -150 | -145 | -145 |
The best available Colombia win price is -192 at BetOnline and Lucky Rebel. The best under 2.5 goals price is -143 across leading operators, with BetNow and Lucky Rebel both offering -145. DR Congo at +650 best price represents a long-shot return for the genuinely adventurous.
How to Watch & Where to Bet
How to Watch
Colombia vs DR Congo kicks off at 8:00 PM local time (UTC-6) on June 23, 2026 at Estadio Akron in Guadalajara (Zapopan), Mexico. In the United States, the match is available live on Fox Sports and Telemundo. Canadian viewers can find coverage on CTV, TSN, and RDS. UK viewers can watch on ITV or BBC, while Australian audiences are served by SBS and Optus Sport. Broadcast details for other markets are listed by their respective national rights holders including TF1 and beIN Sports in France, ARD/ZDF in Germany, and Globo/SporTV in Brazil.
How to Bet
New to betting on this World Cup fixture? Here is how to place your wager on Colombia vs DR Congo in eight straightforward steps.
- Choose a licensed sportsbook from the approved list: BetOnline, Lucky Rebel, or BetNow.
- Create your account and verify your identity as required.
- Navigate to the World Cup 2026 section or search “Colombia vs DR Congo.”
- Review the available markets: match result, total goals, first goalscorer, and more.
- Select your preferred market and note the current odds before confirming.
- Enter your stake in the bet slip. Review the potential return displayed.
- Confirm the bet and retain your receipt or booking reference.
- Watch the match live on Fox Sports and monitor your bet in real time.
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Daniele Quaranta
Daniele Quaranta grew up in Bergamo watching Atalanta from the curva nord with his father, and that upbringing gave him a deep appreciation for the tactical and emotional layers that Italian football carries unlike any other league in the world. He has spent years studying the game through a decidedly Italian lens, paying close attention to how formations evolve across seasons, how managers adapt under pressure, and what historical patterns reveal about the modern game.
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