Portugal faces Uzbekistan as England and others battle in 2026 World Cup group stage

Portugal’s national team will meet Uzbekistan in the second round of Group K at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. After a goalless draw in their opening match, the side, led by coach Roberto Martinez, has faced criticism centred on star Cristiano Ronaldo. The team’s only goal so far was scored by João Neves, prompting Martinez to call for a more ruthless approach against the debutant Uzbeks.

In Group L, England defeated Ghana 4‑2, with Marcus Rashford highlighting the need for relentless play. England’s victory sets up a clash with Croatia, while Ghana secured a 1‑0 extra‑time win over Panama. The matches are scheduled for Tuesday at 19:00 local time for Portugal‑Uzbekistan and later in the day for the other fixtures.