Portugal vs. Croatia: Everything you need to know ahead of Thursday’s FIFA World Cup Round of 32 showdown
One of the marquee matches of the FIFA World Cup Round of 32 arrives Thursday night as Portugal and Croatia meet in a battle featuring two of international soccer’s greatest players.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić could be making their final FIFA World Cup appearances, with only one legend guaranteed another match after the final whistle in Toronto.
Match information
Match: Portugal vs. Croatia
Tournament: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 32
Date: Thursday, July 2
Kickoff: 7 p.m. EDT
Venue: BMO Field (Toronto Stadium), Toronto, Ontario
TV (United States): FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish)
Streaming: FOX Sports App, FOX One, Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV and Peacock (Spanish)
Radio: FOX Sports Radio affiliates, iHeartRadio and Fútbol de Primera Radio
Weather
Expect a hot evening in Toronto, with temperatures around 90 degrees and humid conditions making it feel even warmer. There is also a chance of scattered thunderstorms later in the evening, making hydration and player fitness an important storyline.
Stadium information
Venue: BMO Field (Toronto Stadium)
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Capacity: 43,036
The renovated venue is the smallest stadium hosting matches during the 2026 FIFA World Cup and has produced a sellout atmosphere throughout the tournament.
Official FIFA World Rankings
- Portugal: No. 6
- Croatia: No. 11
Betting odds
- Portugal: -120
- Draw: +230
- Croatia: +350
- Over/Under: 2.5 goals
(Odds vary by sportsbook.)
How they got here
Portugal finished second in Group K after defeating Uzbekistan while drawing DR Congo and Colombia. Despite advancing comfortably, Roberto Martínez’s squad has yet to consistently resemble one of the tournament favorites.
Croatia recovered from an opening loss to England by defeating Panama and Ghana to finish second in Group L and reach the knockout stage with momentum.
Players to watch
Portugal
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Bruno Fernandes
- Rafael Leão
- Bernardo Silva
- João Félix
Croatia
- Luka Modrić
- Joško Gvardiol
- Mateo Kovačić
- Ivan Perišić
- Andrej Kramarić
Series history
This marks the first-ever FIFA World Cup meeting between Portugal and Croatia.
Key storyline
Portugal possesses one of the world’s deepest attacking squads, but it has struggled to consistently create scoring chances through three matches. Croatia, meanwhile, remains one of international soccer’s toughest knockout opponents thanks to its experienced midfield and composure under pressure.
Interesting facts
- Ronaldo and Modrić are two of the oldest players remaining in the tournament and could be making their final World Cup appearances.
- BMO Field is hosting its final World Cup match of the tournament.
- The winner advances to face Spain in the Round of 16.
- Croatia has earned a reputation as one of international soccer’s most dangerous knockout teams, particularly in penalty shootouts.
What’s at stake?
The winner advances to Monday’s Round of 16 against Spain.
The loser is eliminated.
Prediction
Portugal enters as the higher-ranked side, but Roberto Martínez’s squad has been underwhelming through the group stage, drawing two of its three matches and struggling to consistently create quality chances. While Cristiano Ronaldo is always capable of producing a magical moment, Portugal may need Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leão, Bernardo Silva or another attacking star to shoulder more of the scoring load if it hopes to advance.
Croatia’s defense has looked a bit shaky at times this tournament, but its experienced midfield continues to dictate matches, and few nations are more comfortable playing under knockout pressure. Expect another tense, tactical battle between two European powers.
Prediction: Portugal and Croatia are level 1-1 after 90 minutes before each side scores once in extra time. Croatia outlasts Portugal in a dramatic penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw, punching its ticket to the Round of 16 to face Spain.
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