The Colombian men’s national football team beat DR Congo 1-0 on Tuesday to secure its spot in the 2026 World Cup knockout stages. 

The Cafeteros became the third Latin American squad to qualify, after Argentina and Mexico, but the changing nature of the group stage makes it hard to say which team anyone will face next.

Colombia

The team led by Bayern Munich’s Luis Díaz may have already booked its ticket for the next phase, but who they’ll face turns around the one game they’re yet to play: against Portugal on Saturday.

A win — or a draw — secures top spot, and a match-up with a 3rd-place team emerging from Groups D, E, I, J, or L, likely Paraguay, Senegal, Algeria or Croatia.

A loss, however, means it’ll go through as the second-qualified, setting up a face-off with the runner-up of Group L. The last results suggest it’s likely to be the winner of the duel between Croatia and Ghana, although a last-game nightmare for England could see them fall to second.

Argentina

Wins over Algeria and Austria mean that even in the catastrophic case of a defeat against Jordan, Argentina has secured the top spot in its group and will go up against the second-placed team in Group H.

Who that will be is perhaps the most open question in the World Cup. Three ties across four games means everyone has a chance to go through, and most can also be eliminated.

On Friday, Spain will go up against Uruguay, while surprise-of-the-tournament Cape Verde will face off against Saudi Arabia.

A win for the Spanish — or a tie — means the winner of the other game will clash with Argentina. If Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde tie, the latter goes through.

A win for the Uruguayans sets up a nightmare-scenario clash between the Albiceleste and Spain in the case of a tie or a Saudi Arabia win in the other game, or with Cape Verde if they win.

An all-around tie means it’ll be either Uruguay or Cape Verde, depending on the most goals scored. 

Mexico

Like Colombia, Mexico will have to determine whether it moves through as the top seed or the runner-up when it clashes with Czechia on Wednesday.

A win or a tie will secure the top spot for the Tri, and a third-place qualified team from Groups C, E, F, H, or I, most likely one of Scotland, Japan, Sweden, Uruguay or Senegal.

A loss to Czechia will see Mexico slide into the runner-up slot, and a clash against the runner-up of Group B. It will likely come down to the game between Canada and Switzerland, as the other matchup between Qatar and Bosnia would require the Qataris to overturn a seven-goal differential with the Swiss.

Cover image: Selección Colombiana Twitter