The 15

As a public service, over the past few days this site has been providing some information about the nations and teams competing in this year’s FIFA World Cup. We now come to the final installment. We hope you find it useful.

Group K

Colombia

The national team has been a symbol of nationalism, pride and passion for many Colombians worldwide. Colombia is known for having a passionate fan base, and the team’s dances during goal celebrations are also well-known. In a 1962 match vs the Soviet Union midfielder Marcos Coll scored the only direct corner goal in FIFA World Cup history. Colombia is also known for producing stimulants, record clubs and passion.

HC: Néstor Lorenzo

Captain: James Rodriguez

Nicknames: La Tricolor (The Tricolour) La Sele (The Sele) Los Cafeteros (The Lunchladies)

Team Motto: “No, no he conocido a Juan Valdez” (No, I have not met Juan Valdez)

DR Congo (AKA Democratic Republic of the Congo)

DR Congo returns to the FIFA World Cup after a 52-year absence and a name change. They beat Jamaica 1-0 after extra time in the Inter-Confederation Play-offs to make it to the 2026 World Cup. This came after they finished second by two points to Senegal in Group B of CAF Qualification and sensationally beating Cameroon and Nigeria in the CAF Second Round.

HC: Sébastien Desabre (The Florist)

Captain: Chancel Mbemba

Nicknames: Léopards (Leopards) Guerriers de l’Équateur (Warriors of the Equator) La Céleste (The Skyblue)

Superfan who dresses like slain PM Patrice Lumumba and stands statue-still all game: Yes

DR Congo is also the name of a generic Mr. Pibb sold in Arkansas and Missouri.

Portugal

Since 2000s, Portugal started an uninterrupted streak of qualification for every European Championship and World Cup finals, including a runners-up finish at Euro 2004 on home soil. They experienced much of their success in the late 2010s to mid 2020s, during the captaincy of Ballon d’Or* winner Cristiano Ronaldo, where they won their first-ever major trophy Euro 2016.

HC: Roberto Martinez

Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo

Nicknames: Seleção das Quinas (Team of the Quincunxes) Lusos (Lusitanians) Espanhóis anfíbios (Amphibious Spaniards)

Fun Fact: They speak Brazilian in Portugal.

(*Literally: ‘Bobby Orr’s Balloon’)

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the first time, becoming the first Central Asian country and the third post-Soviet state after Russia and Ukraine to qualify for the finals. Their playing style is boisterous yet structured, with an oaky finish.

HC: Fabio Cannavaro

Captain: Eldor Shomurodov

Nicknames: White Wolves, Turanians

Favorite post 2000 American Cable TV Drama Program: “The Shield”

Group L

England

The England men’s national football team is the joint-oldest in the world; it was formed at the same time as Scotland’s. England hosted and won the 1966 World Cup. They were the first European nation to secure qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after winning all six of their qualification matches. This iteration of Team England contains a blend of experienced tournament veterans and emerging talent.

HC: Thomas Tuchel (A German in charge of something English? Strange!)

Captain: Harry Kane

Nicknames: The Three Lions, The Lovely Lads

Ghana

The Ghana national football team is one of Africa’s most successful teams with a rich history in continental and international football. In the 2010 FIFA World Cup Ghana played the United States, winning 2–1 in extra time to become only the third African nation to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, before losing to Uruguay in a penalty shootout.

HC: Carlos Queiroz

Captain: Jordan Ayew

Nicknames: Black Stars

Team Rallying Cry: “We’re Ghana Win This Football Match!” [citation needed]

Grapes in chicken salad: No

Panama

While soccer has historically been less popular than baseball or basketball in Panama, the national team’s achievements have increasingly boosted interest in the sport. A three-time runner-up in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, Panama has qualified for the FIFA World Cup twice, in 2018 they scored their first goal against England. The Panama national football team has established itself as a competitive side in Central America, growing in prominence through World Cup appearances and strong performances in regional competitions, and continues to develop as a representative of Panamanian football on the global stage.

HC: Thomas Christiansen

Captain: Yoel Bárcenas

Nicknames: Los Canaleros (The Canal Men) La Marea Roja (The Red Tide) Hombres fuertes (Strongmen)

Favorite Van Halen song: Ice Cream Man

Croatia

Upon its admission into FIFA in 1994 ranked 125th, they ascended to third place with their debut 1998 World Cup campaign. This marked the fastest, most volatile ascension in FIFA ranking history, making them the youngest team to ever reach a Top 10 place in the World Rankings Croatia is the second-smallest country by population (after Uruguay) and land mass (after the Netherlands) to reach a World Cup Final At the World Cup, Croatia holds records for most penalty shoot-out played (4) and won (4) and most penalties saved in a shoot-out (3), among other team records. This is where the saying, ‘Croatians love a shootout’ probably originates.

HC: Zlatko Dalić

Captain: Luka Modrić

Nicknames: Vatreni (Blazers) Kockasti (Checkered Ones)

Team Motto: “dama, ne šah” (Checkers, not chess)