Colombia and Congo DR will lock horns at Estadio Guadalajara in Group K.
Group K
Tuesday, 24 June | New York New Jersey Stadium
Kick-off time
10:00 (GMT+8)
Colombia possible starting XI
Vargas; Munoz, Davinson Sánchez, Lucumi, Mojica; Lerma, Puerta; Luis Díaz, Arias, James Rodriguez; Luis Suárez
Congo DR possible starting XI
Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kapuadi, Masuaku; Mukau, Moutoussamy, Kayembe; Wissa, Bakambu
What they said…
“We’ve studied Congo. We’ve seen a lot of differences and systems. They play in a 5-3-2 with two very very important strikers. You’ve gotta be careful in the transitions and their counterattacks. In terms of our starting 11, I haven’t informed my decisions to the players yet. We’ll keep to our style.”
“We have very versatile players. We have been able to play against teams with two strikers like Congo. Our wingers can come back and defend as well. Ultimately, we end up making the arrangement and formation with the same players, but with slightly different positions for every match. We have an identity. We have to stick to that. We have to stay true to who we are.”
“Congo are very tactical with five at the back. We have to open our paths through their block. We have to find space between the lines. Hopefully we find some space behind their backline.
“I feel the support of our country. What the guys feel and transmit on the field is something that we feel from our fans. We’re always thankful to those who support our team. We’re excited about the support that we receive and the passion from the fans.” Nestor Lorenzo, Colombia head coach
“We need to remember that we didn’t win the first game against Portugal. It was a draw. We got one point, not three. I told the players that it’s not enough. We will do our best. We’ll do everything we can. That’s the mentality that we have in Congo.”
“We know this stadium. We qualified for the World Cup here in a great atmosphere. I hope it’ll be the same tomorrow. We are looking forward to playing against Colombia, who are of course an excellent team, but we’ve shown that we’re capable of doing excellent things as well.” Sebastien Desabre, Congo DR coach
“It’s been there for everyone to see how well united we are as a team. We’re a team that’s hard to beat. It was evident in our game against Portugal that we’re very aggressive in transition. We’re a very difficult team to beat defensively. We’re a united team and we have players who are capable of making something out of nothing in attack. We’re always dangerous going forward. We’re a well united team and we defend well collectively. We want to make our country proud and go as far as possible. My main objective is to make my nation proud.” Aaron Tshibola, Congo DR player
Guadalajara Stadium
Built on raised ground and with a spherical, coliseum-like design, Guadalajara Stadium is certainly one of the more eye-catching venues set to hold matches at the FIFA World Cup in 2026. Inaugurated in 2010, the stadium is home during the regular season to C.D. Guadalajara, who have enjoyed their fair share of success there. The men’s team secured their historic double title campaign, league and cup of the Clausura 2017 tournament, and the 2018 Concacaf Champions League victory, while the two titles of the women’s team in 2017 and 2022 add to the trophy haul. Guadalajara Stadium was one of the main venues for the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2011 and hosted the Pan-American Games the same year.