Group K

Group K at the FIFA World Cup 2026 spans 6 timezones, from UTC+5 (Uzbekistan) to UTC-5 (Colombia). The four nations, Portugal, Colombia, Uzbekistan, and DR Congo, cover four continents. Uzbekistan supporters in Tashkent are watching at midnight when matches kick off in the US, while Colombian fans in Bogota follow in near-real-time. All matches are played across Texas, Florida, and Mexico at CDT (UTC-5) and EDT (UTC-4).

The Timezone Picture

Portuguese fans watch in WEST (UTC+1) in summer, five or six hours ahead of the venues. Colombian fans sit at COT (UTC-5), matching CDT exactly. Uzbek supporters are at UZT (UTC+5), ten or eleven hours ahead of US venues. DR Congo fans observe CAT (UTC+2), six or seven hours ahead. The Colombia vs Portugal finale at 7:30 PM EDT in Miami is midnight in Lisbon, 1:30 AM in Kinshasa, and 4:30 AM the next morning in Tashkent.

Full Match Schedule

Who Watches Comfortably?

Colombian fans have the clearest advantage in Group K. COT (UTC-5) matches CDT exactly, meaning every group stage kickoff in central US venues is a simultaneous local event. The Colombia vs Portugal finale at 7:30 PM EDT, on Miami’s Eastern time, still translates to 7:30 PM in Bogota. Colombia watches the entire group in afternoon and evening windows.

Portuguese fans get two accessible kickoffs: Portugal vs DR Congo at 3:00 PM CDT (8:00 PM Lisbon) and Portugal vs Uzbekistan at 12:00 PM CDT (6:00 PM Lisbon, ideal). The group finale at 7:30 PM EDT lands at 11:30 PM in Lisbon, late but watchable for the defining match.

Uzbek fans carry the heaviest load. UZT sits ten to eleven hours ahead of match venues, placing most Group K fixtures between midnight and 5:00 AM Tashkent time. Portugal vs Uzbekistan at 12:00 PM CDT translates to 10:00 PM UZT, the one window where Uzbek fans can watch comfortably.

Venues

Group K matches are spread across NRG Stadium (Houston, CDT/UTC-5), Estadio Azteca (Mexico City, CDT/UTC-5), Estadio Akron (Guadalajara, CDT/UTC-5), Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, EDT/UTC-4), and Hard Rock Stadium (Miami, EDT/UTC-4). The group finale in Miami uses EDT, one hour ahead of the CDT Mexican and Texas venues. Fans converting times need to check whether the match is CDT or EDT to avoid a one-hour error.

Timezone Conflict Index

Uzbekistan faces the most extreme schedule of any team in Group K, with most matches falling in the early hours of the Tashkent morning. The Portugal vs Uzbekistan midday CDT fixture is the standout accessible match for Uzbek fans. The Colombia vs Portugal finale, arguably the group’s biggest match, is the most globally challenging fixture, crossing midnight in Europe and landing in the early hours of the Central Asian morning.

For group analysis and match previews, see whensport.com.