Uzbekistan face Colombia in their World Cup opener, with the South Americans looking to make an early statement in Group F.
Uzbekistan vs Colombia Match Summary
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Competition |
World Cup 2026 |
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Match Date |
Thursday 18 June 2026 |
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Match Time |
03:00 UK time |
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Venue (City, Stadium) |
Mexico City, Mexico City Stadium |
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Broadcast (TV / Streaming / Radio / Bookmaker Streaming) |
BBC 1, RTE 2 |
Uzbekistan and Colombia open their World Cup 2026 Group K campaigns at Mexico City Stadium on Thursday, in a fixture that pits tournament debutants against seasoned South American pedigree.
Uzbekistan make history as the first Central Asian nation to reach the World Cup, having kept seven clean sheets in their final qualifying round.
Colombia return to the tournament after missing the 2022 edition, finishing third in CONMEBOL qualifying with 28 points from 18 matches.
This is the first senior international meeting between these two nations, with both sides sharing a group alongside Portugal and DR Congo.
Uzbekistan vs Colombia Form
Uzbekistan's qualifying campaign was built on defensive solidity, conceding just 11 goals across 16 matches and finishing their final round with seven clean sheets in ten games. Eldor Shomurodov, Uzbekistan's all-time top scorer with 44 international goals, is expected to carry their attacking threat up front.
Colombia qualified in third place in CONMEBOL, recording seven wins, seven draws and four losses from 18 matches. Luis Diaz led the qualifying goal charts with seven strikes, and James Rodriguez topped the assist charts across the South American campaign.
Uzbekistan vs Colombia Lineups & Team News
Injuries & Suspensions
Uzbekistan: No injury concerns reported.
Colombia: No injury concerns reported.
Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan should have a fully fit squad available. Eldor Shomurodov, who boasts 44 international goals, is expected to lead the line in the centre-forward role for their historic World Cup debut.
Colombia
Colombia are not expected to have any significant injury worries. James Rodriguez is set to partner Jefferson Lerma and Richard Rios in the engine room as Colombia look to stamp their authority on Group K.
Hot Streak
Uzbekistan vs Colombia Predicted Lineup
Uzbekistan
Formation: 3-4-2-1
Predicted Starting Lineup: U. Yusupov; U. Eshmurodov, A. Khusanov, R. Ashurmatov; S. Nasrullaev, O. Shukurov, O. Khamrobekov, K. Alijonov; O. Urunov, A. G'aniev; E. Shomurodov
Colombia
Formation: 4-3-3
Predicted Starting Lineup: D. Ospina; J. Mojica, D. Sanchez, J. Lucumi, D. Munoz; J. Lerma, R. Rios, J. Rodriguez; L. Diaz, J. Cordoba, J. Arias
Uzbekistan vs Colombia Key Stats & Match Facts
- This is the first senior international meeting between Uzbekistan and Colombia in either competitive or friendly football.
- Uzbekistan kept seven clean sheets across ten games in their final round of World Cup qualifying.
- Colombia won only three of their last ten matches across all competitions, drawing four and losing three.
- Colombia controlled an average of 56.8% possession during CONMEBOL qualifying, the second-highest in South America.
- Luis Diaz was Colombia's top scorer during qualifying with seven goals, while James Rodriguez topped the assists chart.
Uzbekistan vs Colombia Prediction & Best Bets
Our prediction: Uzbekistan 0-2 Colombia. The South Americans have far too much quality across the pitch for a side making their World Cup bow. Colombia's attacking firepower should prove decisive against a team stepping up to the biggest stage for the first time.
Best Bets
Under 2.5 Goals at 19/20 (AK Bets). Colombia are the clear favourites but their recent record shows they do not always run up the score. With the predicted scoreline sitting at 0-2, this line offers strong value in what could be a controlled, professional performance.
Colombia to win at 2/5 (AK Bets). The South Americans carry far superior quality across the pitch and arrive ranked first in the group for both standing and form. With Uzbekistan facing their first World Cup fixture, Colombia's experience and attacking depth should prove the difference.
Uzbekistan vs Colombia Bet Builder
Our three-leg bet builder combines Columbia's ability to keep a clean sheet and Luis Suarez to score his maiden World Cup goal and leader Luis Diaz to Score Or Assist.
Both Teams To Score - No appeals given Colombia's defensive solidity and their ability to control matches against lower-ranked opposition. Uzbekistan are likely to adopt a cautious approach, while Colombia have regularly restricted opponents to few clear-cut chances.
Luis Suárez - Anytime Goalscorer is backed by the striker's enduring eye for goal. Having scored 36 goals in 49 games for Sporting, Suárez remains a clinical finisher and only needs one opportunity inside the box to make the difference.
Luis Díaz - To Score Or Assist looks a strong selection given his importance to Colombia's attack. Díaz has scored or assisted in three of his last five appearances and is capable of influencing matches both as a goalscorer and creator. His pace and direct running should cause Uzbekistan problems throughout the contest.
At the time of writing, this bet builder pays a best price of 8/1 and is as short as 4/1 elsewhere. That's a difference in potential winnings of £40 from best to worst price.
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