A group that will be all about an ageing star looking to eke out one more memorable World Cup, surrounded by younger players who deserve a larger share of the limelight.
But enough about James Rodriguez, the breakthrough of 2014 who continues to knit things together for a lop-sided Colombia side.
How much of an impact will Cristiano Ronaldo be able to have for a Portugal team packed with talent? And what would it take for Roberto Martinez to ditch him in favour of Goncalo Ramos?
DR Congo could easily grind their way into the round of 32, too, while Uzbekistan possess so many unknowns for the average viewer that they will offer intrigue if not quite a guarantee of much excitement.
Group K fixtures
(all times BST)
Wednesday 17 June, 18:00: Portugal v DR Congo – Houston
Thursday 18 June, 03:00: Uzbekistan v Colombia – Mexico City
Tuesday 23 June, 18:00: Portugal v Uzbekistan – Houston
Wednesday 24 June 03:00: Colombia v DR Congo – Guadalajara
Sunday 28 June 00:30: Colombia v Portugal – Miami
Sunday 28 June 00:30: DR Congo v Uzbekistan – Atlanta
Portugal
While those fixated upon superstardom rather than this being a team sport will be salivating at the prospect of Ronaldo facing Lionel Messi in the quarter-finals for the first time at a World Cup – should they both reach that stage as group winners – this is another tournament in which how Portugal’s biggest name is managed will be decisive.
If Roberto Martinez can involve him sufficiently to ensure minimal histrionics without compromising their ability to win matches, there is little reason why a squad so packed with talent cannot reach the latter stages. Yet if Martinez is to persist with Ronaldo it is easy to see them exiting with a whimper.
Goncalo Ramos may have been used sparingly by Paris Saint-Germain this season but he appears a much better fit up top – regardless of personality and status. Few squads have such an impressive midfield unit, while there is plenty of strength at the back.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Silva (Sporting)
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villareal), Tomas Araujo (Benfica)
Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain)
Coach: Roberto Martinez
Star player – Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United: The assist machine who was voted by experts and his peers as Premier League player of the season instead of several Arsenal players is the creative king for his country too, despite their envious selection of playmakers. If he can get on the same wavelength as Ronaldo, or whoever plays up top, early on then they may well thrive.
Breakout talent – Joao Neves, Paris Saint-Germain: This squad is so jam packed with household names that it is impossible to name a breakout in the truest sense. But the PSG midfielder appears the most probable to reach a new level of global appreciation following a stunning campaign. At 21, he is set to elevate his status from one of the world’s best young midfielders to one of the top central players full stop.
Fifa ranking: 5.
Odds to win the World Cup: 9/1, latest odds at The Independent via Oddsjam.
DR Congo
When The Leopards made their only previous World Cup appearance, in 1974 as Zaire, they were Africa’s sole representative. This time they are one of 10 and seem a dead cert to acquit themselves more positively.
That would not take much considering the side 52 years ago failed to score and conceded 14 in their three group games, including nine to Yugoslavia, but Sebastien Desabre will also bring a team that should be imbued with enough confidence to make the knockouts if they can defeat Uzbekistan.
Axel Tuanzebe was the hero of an elongated qualifying campaign, scoring the extra-time winner in their intercontinental play-off against Jamaica, and he is one of several familiar to fans of English club football.
Noah Sadiki, fresh off an impressive campaign at Sunderland, is vital in midfield while Yoane Wissa, the undisputed star, carries the pressure of finding some magic in open play for a team that is organised and difficult to break down.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre)
Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa), Gedeon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Racing Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham)
Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Elia Meshack (Alanyaspor), Gael Kakuta (Larissa), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngalayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock)
Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle)
Coach: Sebastien Desabre
Star player – Yoane Wissa, Newcastle United: The forward arrives in the US following a campaign of frustration at St James’ Park, where the 29-year-old failed to kick on following a big money move because of a nagging knee injury. Fit now, if he can shine like he did during a final campaign at Brentford their chances of making it out of the group grow immeasurably.
Breakout talent – Ngal’ayel Mukau, Lille: One of several players born in Belgium who instead chose to represent the nation of their elders, the tidy midfielder stood out for Lille this season by delivering a series of all-action box-to-box performances. At 21 he appears a player capable of doing everything well, if not yet dazzling in one specific area.
Fifa ranking: 45.
Odds to win the World Cup: 1000/1.
Uzbekistan
A squad short of recognisable names to fans focused on Europe, with the exception of Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, must hope for the better teams in this group to trip over themselves.
Yet is reaching a first World Cup enough cause for celebration following a series of near misses?
With Fabio Cannavaro, Italy’s captain in 2006, now shaping a side that kept clean sheets in 10 of 16 qualifiers under his predecessor, Timur Kapadze, and their star player being a centre back, it is easy to conclude that keeping things tight is their biggest asset.
Fourteen of the squad play in the domestic league, which did not begin until late February, while five others are in the Iranian top tier, which has been suspended since the war, meaning Cannavaro will at least have a host of players not carrying the fatigue of their European counterparts.
Any advantage, no matter how minimal, must be sought – although the former Ballon d’Or winner has previously been critical of the lower intensity in the Uzbekistan Super League.
“It will be very difficult but what I have said to my players is we have nothing to lose,” Cannavaro said of his team’s ambitions. “I just told them to enjoy. To have this opportunity is not normal. We just need to think about enjoying it.”
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Utkir Yusupov (Navbahor), Abduvohid Nematov (Nasaf), Botirali Ergashev (Neftchi)
Defenders: Rustam Ashurmatov (Esteghlal), Farrukh Sayfiev (Neftchi), Khojiakbar Alijonov (Pakhtakor), Sherzod Nasrullaev (Nasaf), Umar Eshmurodov (Nasaf), Abdukodir Khusanov (Manchester City), Abdulla Abdullaev (Dibba), Bekhruz Karimov (Surkhon), Jakhongir Urozov (Dinamo Samarqand), Avazbek Ulmasaliev (AGMK)
Midfielders: Otabek Shukurov (Baniyas), Jaloliddin Masharipov (Esteghlal), Odiljon Hamrobekov (Tractor), Oston Urunov (Persepolis), Jamshid Iskanderov (Neftchi), Dostonbek Khamdamov (Pakhtakor), Abbosbek Fayzullaev (Istanbul Basaksehir), Akmal Mozgovoy (Pakhtakor), Azizjon Ganiev (Al Bataeh), Sherzod Esanov (Bukhara)
Forwards: Eldor Shomurodov (Istanbul Basaksehir), Igor Sergeev (Persepolis), Azizbek Amonov (Bukhara)
Coach: Fabio Cannavaro
Star player – Abdukodir Khusanov, Manchester City: Settled in to life at City following a difficult initial outing, he is the poster boy of Cannavaro’s squad. The 22-year-old must be in top form against a trio of tricky attacks.Khusanov will likely be partnered with the experienced Rustam Ashurmatov, one of those based in Iran who has been favoured by Cannavaro in recent friendlies despite a lack of club football, but there is no doubting who the main man is.
Breakout talent – Abbosbek Fayzullaev, Istanbul Basaksehir: In a squad otherwise lacking in creativity, the young winger could capture some attention off the back of a solid campaign with Istanbul Basaksehir. His link-up with clubmate, national team captain and record goalscorer Eldo Shomurodov will be critical if they are to cause a surprise. Shomurodov, 30, scored 22 times in the Turkish SuperLig but Fayzullaev will be the one looking to set him up.
Fifa ranking: 50.
Odds to win the World Cup: 2000/1.
Colombia
Having beaten both Argentina and Brazil in qualifying, Los Cafeteros return to a first World Cup since 2018 with high expectations.
James, who missed the Russia campaign having taken centre stage in Brazil, continues to be a key player, pulling the strings for a side in which Luis Diaz has become the headline grabber. At the back there is the potential for solidity without much stardust. Jefferson Lerma sits at the base of midfield with Crystal Palace team-mate Daniel Munoz part of a defence still featuring former Tottenham Hotspur centre-back Davinson Sanchez.
Experience is one of their biggest tools – just two of the 26-man squad is under the age of 25, a dozen are north of 30 – and they are unlikely to be fazed by any of the more glamorous sides.
A friendly against France in March tempered expectations though. They were completely outclassed, three goals down before pulling one back late on against an experimental opposition XI that held Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, Michael Olise and others in reserve. The defence must be tighter if they are to reach another quarter-final.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Camilo Vargas (Atlas), Alvaro Montero (Velez Sarsfield), David Ospina (Atletico Nacional)
Defenders: Davinson Sanchez (Galatasaray), Jhon Lucumi (Bologna), Yerry Mina (Cagliari), Willer Ditta (Cruz Azul), Daniel Munoz (Crystal Palace), Santiago Arias (Independiente), Johan Mojica (Mallorca), Deiver Machado (Nantes)
Midfielders: Richard Rios (Benfica), Jefferson Lerma (Crystal Palace), Kevin Castano (River Plate), Juan Camilo Portilla (Athletico Paranaense), Gustavo Puerta (Racing de Santander), Jhon Arias (Palmeiras), Jorge Carrascal (Flamengo), Juan Fernando Quintero (River Plate), James Rodriguez (Minnesota United), Jaminton Campaz (Rosario Central)
Forwards: Juan Camilo Hernandez (Real Betis), Luis Diaz (Bayern Munich), Luis Suarez (Sporting), Carlos Andres Gomez (Vasco da Gama), Jhon Cordoba (Krasnodar)
Coach: Nestor Lorenzo
Star player – Luis Diaz, Bayern Munich: Since leaving Liverpool for Bayern Munich, the forward has taken another leap into the top tier of superstardom. In qualifying he operated in a hybrid role that was part centre forward, part left winger and contributed seven goals and it does not feel a stretch to say there is a chance he ends this tournament as South America’s best player.
Breakout talent – Luis Suarez, Sporting CP: A late bloomer who did a more than adequate job in filling the gap vacated by Viktor Gyokeres in Lisbon. Internationally he is being hailed as the long-awaited replacement for record scorer Radamel Falcao and having Diaz and Rodriguez creating behind him could mean a profitable tournament.
Fifa ranking: 13.
Odds to win the World Cup: 40/1.
Prediction
Advancement should be straightforward for Portugal but if Martinez sticks with Ronaldo throughout this appears destined to be another tournament in which they fall short of their maximum level. If the head coach finds a way to use Ronaldo sparingly, without puncturing his ego and risking disharmony, they have the potential to go all the way. And yet few believe that is going to happen. As with many of these groups, the battle for second place is more difficult to predict before a ball is kicked. Colombia are good enough to reach the last-16 – second in this group face the runners-up in England’s pool – but DR Congo’s tricky attack equally seem capable of capturing the minds of neutrals.
