Uzbekistan vs Colombia World Cup Tips, Prediction & Live Stream - Colombia too good for debutants
Colombia are set to face World Cup debutants Uzbekistan in Group K, with the South Americans entering the match as strong favourites. Fresh off a runner-up spot in Copa America and a prolific qualifying run, Colombia's attacking strength should eclipse Uzbekistan’s limited firepower and inexperience. Key players Luis Díaz and Luis Suarez are expected to make a significant impact against a largely home-based Uzbek side. The article recommends backing Colombia for a routine victory, with Suarez as a likely goal scorer. Fans can watch and bet on the match via select live streaming platforms.
- Uzbekistan vs Colombia predictions for Wednesday's World Cup Group K game
- Colombia blessed with plenty of attacking talent, should prove too strong
- Colombia win to nil backed, with striker Suarez getting on the scoresheet
- The game is scheduled for kick off at 12.00pm AEST on Thursday June 18
Uzbekistan v Colombia Live StreamWatch live online at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026. T&Cs apply.
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Uzbekistan vs Colombia World Cup Tips, Prediction & Live Stream
Colombia should be confident of securing all three points when they square off against World Cup debutants Uzbekistan in Group K action at the Estadio Banorte in Mexico City on Wednesday.
I've tipped Colombia as World Cup dark horses for this tournament and I fully expect the South American nation to come away with an opening victory here after a recent runner-up showing at 2024 Copa America and finishing second to only Argentina in qualifying for this tournament
Equipped with incredible attacking talent and depth, Colombia should have far too much firepower for an Uzbekistan side who have scored just once in their last three games, with 16 of their 26-man squad playing their club football locally.
Luis Diaz is the star man, with the winger totalling a whopping 49 goal involvements for Bayern Munich this season (26 goals, 23 assists). However, there's plenty of other talents in this Colombian squad and I'm keen to focus on striker Luis Suarez.
Suarez made a big move from Almeria in La Liga 2 to Portuguese giants Sporting this season and made an immediate impact, scoring 28 goals in 32 games in the league. The 28-year-old is entering his prime and also scored four goals in South American qualifying - he looks good to find the back of the net in a game that Colombia should win with room to spare.
Uzbekistan vs Colombia Stats & Trends
- Colombia have won five of their last six World Cup group games
- Colombia have won seven of their last 10 games
- Seven of Colombia's last eight wins have been by a 2+ margin
- Colombia have recent wins to nil over Asian opposition in Jordan & Australia
- Uzbekistan have managed just one goal in their last three games
- Luis Suarez scored 28 goals in 32 games in the league for Sporting this season & had four goals in qualifying
- Uzbekistan have conceded exactly two goals in their last three defeats
Uzbekistan vs Colombia Head To Head
This will be the first ever meeting between the two nations.
Uzbekistan Form Analysis
Uzbekistan only lost one of their 16 games during Asian qualifying, but that didn't save manager Timur Kapadze from the sack after guiding the country to their first World Cup.
Instead, former Italian world champion defender Fabio Cannavaro has taken charge of the side as they look to spring a surprise in Group K.
However, lead-in form wasn't encouraging - the White Wolves were beaten 2-0 by co-hosts Canada before going down 2-1 to the Netherlands.
Uzbekistan Team News
The majority of the squad play their club football in either Uzbekistan or Iran.
The undisputed star man is Man City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, with the 22-year-old developing into a real weapon of a centre back.
Former Roma forward Eldor Shomurodov has scored a record 44 goals for his country.
Uzbekistan Squad
| Pos. | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Utkir Yusupov | 35 | 40 | 0 | Navbahor Namangan |
| GK | Abduvohid Nematov | 25 | 8 | 0 | Nasaf |
| GK | Botirali Ergashev | 30 | 2 | 0 | Neftchi Fergana |
| DF | Abdukodir Khusanov | 22 | 27 | 0 | Manchester City |
| DF | Khojiakbar Alijonov | 29 | 40 | 2 | Pakhtakor |
| DF | Farrukh Sayfiev | 35 | 46 | 1 | Neftchi Fergana |
| DF | Rustam Ashurmatov | 29 | 49 | 1 | Esteghlal |
| DF | Sherzod Nasrullaev | 27 | 31 | 2 | Pakhtakor |
| DF | Umar Eshmurodov | 33 | 29 | 0 | Nasaf |
| DF | Abdulla Abdullaev | 28 | 17 | 0 | Dibba |
| DF | Bekhruz Karimov | 18 | 2 | 0 | Surkhon Termiz |
| DF | Avazbek Ulmasaliev | 26 | 0 | 0 | AGMK |
| DF | Jakhongir Urozov | 22 | 4 | 0 | Dinamo Samarqand |
| MF | Akmal Mozgovoy | 27 | 25 | 1 | Pakhtakor |
| MF | Otabek Shukurov | 29 | 84 | 9 | Baniyas |
| MF | Jamshid Iskanderov | 32 | 38 | 4 | Neftchi Fergana |
| MF | Odiljon Hamrobekov | 30 | 72 | 1 | Tractor |
| MF | Oston Urunov | 25 | 42 | 10 | Persepolis |
| MF | Dostonbek Khamdamov | 29 | 34 | 5 | Pakhtakor |
| MF | Azizjon Ganiev | 28 | 19 | 0 | Al Bataeh |
| MF | Abbosbek Fayzullaev | 22 | 32 | 8 | İstanbul Başakşehir |
| MF | Sherzod Esanov | 23 | 1 | 0 | Bukhara |
| FW | Ruslanbek Jiyanov | 25 | 5 | 0 | Navbahor Namangan |
| FW | Eldor Shomurodov (c) | 30 | 92 | 44 | İstanbul Başakşehir |
| FW | Azizbek Amonov | 28 | 12 | 2 | Dinamo Samarqand |
| FW | Igor Sergeev | 33 | 83 | 25 | Persepolis |
Colombia Form Analysis
It's been a great last couple of years for Colombia, who are back at the World Cup after good performances in 2014 and 2018, but missed out on Qatar 2022.
Colombia finished runner-up to Argentina at Copa America 2024 and were again only second to the reigning world champions in South American qualifying, where they tallied a whopping 28 goals.
Nestor Lorenzo's side are ranked 13th in FIFA's rankings and come into this tournament following comfortable 3-1 and 2-0 wins over Jordan and Costa Rica - although previous defeats to France and Croatia suggest they still have some work to do in order to compete with the elite nations.
Colombia Team News
James Rodriguez is back at 34 years of age to captain his nation after winning the Golden Ball at the 2014 World Cup.
Suarez should start up front, supported by Diaz on the wing. David Ospina, Davinson Sánchez and Jefferson Lerma hold down the fort in the centre of midfield and defensively.
Colombia Squad
| Pos. | Player | Age | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | David Ospina | 37 | 130 | 0 | Atlético Nacional |
| GK | Camilo Vargas | 37 | 42 | 0 | Atlas |
| GK | Álvaro Montero | 31 | 12 | 0 | Vélez Sarsfield |
| DF | Daniel Muñoz | 30 | 46 | 3 | Crystal Palace |
| DF | Jhon Lucumí | 27 | 37 | 1 | Bologna |
| DF | Santiago Arias | 34 | 68 | 0 | Independiente |
| DF | Yerry Mina | 31 | 54 | 8 | Cagliari |
| DF | Johan Mojica | 33 | 45 | 1 | Mallorca |
| DF | Willer Ditta | 29 | 5 | 0 | Cruz Azul |
| DF | Deiver Machado | 32 | 15 | 0 | Nantes |
| DF | Davinson Sánchez | 30 | 79 | 4 | Galatasaray |
| MF | Kevin Castaño | 25 | 25 | 0 | River Plate |
| MF | Richard Ríos | 26 | 32 | 2 | Benfica |
| MF | Jorge Carrascal | 28 | 24 | 2 | Flamengo |
| MF | James Rodríguez (c) | 34 | 126 | 31 | Minnesota United |
| MF | Jhon Arias | 28 | 38 | 6 | Palmeiras |
| MF | Gustavo Puerta | 22 | 6 | 1 | Racing Santander |
| MF | Juan Portilla | 27 | 10 | 0 | Athletico Paranaense |
| MF | Jefferson Lerma | 31 | 65 | 5 | Crystal Palace |
| MF | Juan Fernando Quintero | 33 | 49 | 6 | River Plate |
| MF | Jaminton Campaz | 26 | 10 | 1 | Rosario Central |
| FW | Luis Díaz | 29 | 74 | 22 | Bayern Munich |
| FW | Jhon Córdoba | 33 | 21 | 6 | Krasnodar |
| FW | Cucho Hernández | 27 | 9 | 2 | Real Betis |
| FW | Luis Suárez | 28 | 12 | 5 | Sporting CP |
| FW | Andrés Gómez | 23 | 8 | 2 | Vasco da Gama |
Uzbekistan vs Colombia Live Stream
Watch and bet on Uzbekistan vs Colombia live football from the World Cup.
You can watch and bet on the match live at bet365 > Soccer > World Cup 2026 with the action available to stream on desktop and mobile.
Geo-restrictions apply, you'll need a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours to gain access.
To use the Live Streaming service you will need to be logged in and have a funded account or to have placed a bet in the last 24 hours. Note, under Australian law, Live Streaming on bet365 is exempt from Parts 3 and 4 of the Broadcasting Services (Online Content Service Provider Rules) 2018.
Verdict
Colombia are tipped for a routine victory, with Suarez finding the back of the net.
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