Portugal will face Croatia in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on July 3 in Toronto, with both European sides seeking a place in the last 16 after finishing as runners-up in their groups.
The winner of the tie will advance to the Round of 16 and continue their pursuit of a spot in the final on July 19.
The match, set to kick off at 2 am, brings together two nations with a long history.
Portugal has dominated the tie over the years, winning seven of the 10 previous meetings between the two teams, while Croatia has won once and two matches have ended in draws.
Road to Round of 32
Portugal reached the knockout stage after finishing second in Group K with five points from three matches.
Their campaign began with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, followed by a convincing 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan.
They then played out a goalless draw against Colombia in their final group match.
Croatia also finished second in their group after collecting six points.
They opened the tournament with a 4-2 defeat to England but recovered impressively with a 1-0 victory over Panama before defeating Ghana 2-1 in their final group match.
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The recovery highlighted Croatia’s resilience, a trait that has defined many of their recent tournament performances.
How to Watch
The match will be broadcast live on official FIFA World Cup broadcast partners across Africa, Europe and the Americas.
In Kenya and much of Sub-Saharan Africa, SuperSport (available on DStv and GOtv) remains the primary broadcaster of the tournament.
SuperSport has confirmed it will air all 104 matches live, alongside highlights, analysis, and repeat broadcasts on the football channels.
In addition to satellite broadcasts, subscribers will also be able to stream matches via DStv Stream and the SuperSport digital app.
The Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) will air the 2026 FIFA World Cup live and free to millions of Kenyans after the government approved funding to secure the broadcast rights.
Likely Line-ups, Matchday Tactics and Players to Watch
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez is expected to rely on his blend of experienced stars and emerging talent.
The team remains built around possession football, technical quality in midfield and quick transitions in attack.
Much attention will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to provide leadership and goals despite being in the latter stages of his international career.
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Midfielder Bruno Fernandes is expected to play a key role in creating chances, while Bernardo Silva provides creativity and control between the lines.
Portugal’s biggest strength remains their attacking talent, having scored six goals in the group stage, the joint-highest among several knockout-stage teams.
Croatia, meanwhile, continue to rely on organization, tactical discipline and midfield control.
Veteran captain Luka Modric remains central to their play, while defenders Josko Gvardiol and Josip Sutalo are expected to anchor the backline.
The Croatians are expected to stay organized and look for counterattack opportunities.
Their capacity to compete with stronger teams has been a key trait in past tournaments and may be vital against Portugal.
Likely Line-ups
Portugal (4-3-3)
Diogo Costa;
Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio, Nuno Mendes;
Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Bernardo Silva;
Rafael Leao, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro Neto.
Croatia (4-3-3)
Livakovic;
Stanisic, Sutalo, Gvardiol, Sosa;
Modric, Kovacic, Sucic;
Pasalic, Kramaric, Perisic.
With Portugal holding a strong historical advantage but Croatia arriving with renewed confidence after recovering from their opening defeat, the clash is expected to be one of the most closely contested matches of the Round of 32.
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