Portugal vs Croatia: Round of 32 Showdown at FIFA World Cup 2026

Portugal and Croatia are set to face off in a thrilling Round of 32 match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The clash will take place on Thursday, July 2, at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada, kicking off at 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT. Norwegian referee Espen Eskås has been assigned to oversee the match. beIN SPORTS continues its comprehensive coverage of the World Cup, providing broadcasts in France and the MENA region. For those outside these areas, a full list of global official broadcasters is available.

Portugal enters the knockout stage after securing second place in Group K with five points, trailing Colombia. Under the guidance of Roberto Martínez, Portugal started the tournament with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo, followed by a commanding 5-0 win over Uzbekistan, and concluded the group stage with a 0-0 draw against Colombia. Despite not topping their group, the team has displayed moments of brilliance, maintaining their status as one of Europe's formidable squads.

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Meanwhile, Croatia clinched their spot in the Round of 32 by finishing second in Group L with six points, behind England. They began their campaign with a 4-2 loss to England but bounced back with a 1-0 victory over Panama and a 2-1 triumph against Paraguay. Croatia's resilience and competitive edge have once again brought them to a critical stage of the tournament.

Portugal is labeled as a slight favorite, thanks to their depth and experience. However, Croatia thrives under pressure and has a history of surpassing expectations, notably reaching the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final. This match promises to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting encounters of the Round of 32.

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