Uzbekistan versus Colombia
- Kick-off:
- Stadium: Estadio Azteca · Mexico City, Mexico
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan make their tournament debut, an extraordinary first for a Central Asian nation that has spent two decades knocking on the door. Srečko Katanec, the legendary Slovenian coach who took over in 2024, has built a tactical, defensively-disciplined side. Eldor Shomurodov (Roma), Igor Sergeyev and Otabek Shukurov form the attack; Abbosbek Fayzullaev (CSKA Moscow) is the rising creative star; Khusniddin Aliquliev anchors the back. The White Wolves qualified directly from AFC for the first time after expanding to 8.5 Asian places — the format change finally rewarded long-built Uzbek football infrastructure. Group K with Portugal, DR Congo and Colombia is brutal but Uzbekistan are organised enough to compete. A point would be a national triumph; advancing would rewrite Central Asian footballing history.
Colombia
Colombia arrive at their seventh tournament — first in two cycles after missing 2022 — and as 2024 Copa América runners-up, the nearest miss in their continental history. Néstor Lorenzo, the Argentine coach who took over in 2022, runs a 4-2-3-1 with elite fluidity. James Rodríguez (León) was reborn at the Copa América as the team's creative engine; Luis Díaz (Liverpool) is the wing star; Jhon Durán (Aston Villa) and Rafael Santos Borré provide goalmouth threat; Davinson Sánchez and Jhon Lucumí (Bologna) lead the back. Colombia went 28 matches unbeaten before the 2024 Copa América final loss to Argentina — a streak signalling genuine elite status. Group K with Portugal, DR Congo and Uzbekistan is winnable for second; the quarter-final is the realistic target with semi-final upside.
Estadio Azteca
Estadio Azteca hosts five matches in 2026, including the tournament's opening match on June 11 — making it the only stadium in history to host the opening of three editions (1970, 1986, 2026). Located in southern Mexico City at 2,200 metres above sea level, the venue opened in 1966 and seats approximately 87,500 — the largest capacity in the tournament. The altitude gives Mexican opponents a built-in physiological advantage that visiting teams must respect. Capacity has been adjusted modestly for safety standards while preserving the iconic two-tier bowl. The Azteca is the spiritual heart of football in the host countries — site of the 1970 final between Brazil and Italy and the 1986 Maradona quarter-final and final. No venue carries deeper footballing weight on this continent.