Croatia to meet Portugal in World Cup round of 16 in Toronto

Croatia and Portugal will clash in the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on 3 July in Toronto. Croatia finished second in Group L after a 2‑1 win over Ghana, while Portugal secured the runner‑up spot in Group K following a goalless draw with Colombia.

Ticket resale platforms have seen the average price of the cheapest ticket surge to $3,225, the highest for any round‑of‑16 match, according to data from Ticketdata. FIFA has urged fans to use its official resale service.

FIFA announced Norwegian referee Espen Eskås will officiate the match; he previously refereed Croatia’s quarter‑final in the Nations League and a Champions League tie involving AEK Athens.

Portugal’s forward João Félix said the Portuguese side remain confident of beating Croatia, while Croatian coach Zlatko Dalić and local journalists highlighted the tactical matchup, noting that Croatia’s left‑back Joško Gvardiol is still recovering from injury.

The encounter pits Croatia’s seasoned squad, including Luka Modrić, against a Portuguese team led by Cristiano Ronaldo, with both sides seeking their first knockout‑stage victory over the other in a World Cup competition.