Who will Portugal play at World Cup 2026? Dates, kick-off times and full schedule revealed

Portugal will seek a historic FIFA World Cup triumph for Cristiano Ronaldo as they kick off their 2026 campaign against Uzbekistan, Colombia and one other team.

The 'Lusos' are in Group K for the tournament held across the United States, Canada and Mexico, with Roberto Martínez chasing some success ten years after Euro 2016.

For Ronaldo, it surely is the last chance to echo rival Lionel Messi and lock off the biggest missing honour of his career, against a tournament debutant and old dark horse.

The 2026 edition of the FIFA World Cup sees more history made, with a record 48 nations competing across three host nations in the USA, Canada and Mexico, at 60 venues.

It means for the first time, there will be a Round of 32 introduced at a World Cup. 

(Getty Images)

Portugal's World Cup 26 Group: Who will Portugal play?

In the expanded World Cup, there are now 12 Groups of four teams.

Each nation plays each other once, with the top two automatically qualifying for the knockout stages. Then the eight best third-place sides from the 12 Groups also go through.

Portugal are in Group K and will face the Inter-confederation Play-offs 1 winner, Uzbekistan and Colombia.

Group K

Portugal World Cup 26 fixtures: Dates, kick-off times, venue

Portugal will play their first game against the IC Play-offs 1 winner on Wednesday, June 17 before they face Uzbekistan four days later on Tuesday, June 23.

They then conclude their campaign with a clash against Colombia on Saturday, June 27.

Portugal Fixtures

• Wednesday, June 17: Portugal vs IC Play-offs 1 winner - NRG Stadium, Houston
• Tuesday, June 23: Portugal vs Uzbekistan - NRG Stadium, Houston
• Saturday, June 27: Colombia vs Portugal - Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens

Who could Portugal play in the knockout stages?

The top two in each group qualify for the World Cup knockout stages, with the eight best third-placed also progressing. That means for the first time in World Cup history, a Round of 32 will be played

With Portugal in Group K, it means if they top the Group, they will face the third-place team in either Group D/E/I/J/L. If they finish second, they will face the runners-up of Group L, who could be England

If they finish as one of the best third-place nations, they will face the Group L victors - which, again, could be England.

If Portugal progress from that first knockout match, they then face a Round of 16 game, followed by a quarter-final, semi-final in order to potentially reach the final on July 19, 2026.

When is the FIFA World Cup 26?

The tournament kicks off June 11, 2026,  with host nation Mexico taking on South Africa at the famed Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

Nearly six weeks later, the last of the 104 games - the World Cup 26 Final - will be played at MetLife Stadium just outside of New York City on July 19, 2026.

World Cup 2026 format and schedule

With 48 nations involved at this World Cup, there will be 12 Groups of four teams each.

The top two in each group qualify for the knockout stages, with the eight best third-place teams also progressing. That means for the first time in World Cup history, a Round of 32 will be played.

World Cup schedule and key dates:

• Group stages: June 11-27
• Round of 32: June 28-July 3
• Round of 16: July 4-7
• Quarter-finals: July 9-11
• Semi-finals: July 14-15
• Bronze final: July 19
• Final: July 19

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