Portugal and Croatia meet today in one of the most eye-catching fixtures of the FIFA World Cup 2026 knockout stage, with both nations fighting for a place in the last 16. The Round of 32 match takes place on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Toronto Stadium in Toronto, Canada, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET / 23:00 GMT.
This is not just another knockout match. It is a meeting between two experienced European sides, two proud football nations and two of the most respected players of the modern era: Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modrić. For many fans, the emotional storyline is simple. One legend will move one step closer to another World Cup run, while the other could be playing his final match on football’s biggest stage.
How to Watch Portugal vs Croatia Today
Fans in the United States can watch Portugal vs Croatia live on FOX, with streaming options listed through FOX One, FOX Sports and the FOX Sports app. Spanish-language coverage is also available through Telemundo, the Telemundo app and Peacock.
In the United Kingdom, the match is listed for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, while viewers in Portugal can follow the game on RTP1 and Sport TV 5. In Croatia, HRT is listed as the local broadcaster. Because broadcast rights vary by country, fans should check FIFA’s official TV listings or their local licensed sports broadcaster before kickoff.
Supporters should avoid unofficial streams. Illegal streaming sites can be unreliable, unsafe and may violate broadcasting rights. The safest way to watch the match is through official TV channels, verified streaming apps or licensed local broadcasters.
Match Preview: Why This Game Matters
Portugal reached the knockout stage as Group K runner-up after a mixed group campaign. Roberto Martínez’s side drew against DR Congo, beat Uzbekistan 5-0 and then played out a goalless draw with Colombia. That form has created some debate around Portugal: they have attacking quality, but they have not always looked fluent.
Croatia also progressed as runners-up, finishing second in Group L. Their tournament started badly with defeat to England, but they recovered with wins over Panama and Ghana. That resilience is exactly what makes Croatia dangerous in knockout football. This is a team that has built a reputation for surviving difficult moments and finding ways to compete deep into major tournaments.
The winner of Portugal vs Croatia will face either Spain or Austria in the next round, making this match a major turning point in the knockout bracket.
Ronaldo vs Modrić: The Biggest Storyline
Much of the attention will naturally be on Ronaldo and Modrić. Ronaldo, now 41, remains Portugal’s most talked-about player, while 40-year-old Modrić continues to lead Croatia with the intelligence, calmness and technical control that have defined his career. Reuters reported that Martínez described both players as icons and said discussions about age miss the point, adding that “age is just a number.”
This match also carries emotional weight for Portugal. Reuters reported that the fixture comes close to the anniversary of former Portugal forward Diogo Jota’s death, with midfielder Vitinha saying the team has extra motivation to win for Jota, their families and the country.
For Croatia, Modrić’s leadership remains central. Even as questions continue about whether Croatia are entering a new era, their midfield experience and tournament mentality still make them a difficult opponent for any team.
Head-to-Head Record
Historically, Portugal have had the stronger record in this fixture. The two nations have met 10 times, with Portugal winning seven, Croatia winning once and two matches ending in draws. Croatia’s only win over Portugal came in June 2024, but Portugal still hold the overall head-to-head advantage.
That record gives Portugal confidence, but knockout football rarely follows history perfectly. Croatia’s recent World Cup record proves they are comfortable in high-pressure matches, and their ability to stay compact, slow games down and wait for key moments could frustrate Portugal.
Team News and Possible Lineups
Portugal are expected to rely on a strong core that includes Diogo Costa, Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and Ronaldo. RotoWire’s preview listed a possible Portugal setup in a 4-2-3-1, with Ronaldo leading the attack and Bruno Fernandes supporting behind him.
Croatia’s possible lineup is expected to feature Dominik Livaković in goal, Joško Gvardiol in defence, Modrić and Mateo Kovačić in midfield, and Ante Budimir in attack. RotoWire also noted that lineups were still projected and would update closer to kickoff.
The key battle may come in midfield. If Portugal can move the ball quickly through Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes, they can stretch Croatia’s defensive block. If Croatia can slow the tempo and let Modrić dictate possession, the match could become tense and low-scoring.
Portugal vs Croatia Prediction
Portugal enter as favourites, but not overwhelming favourites. FOX listed Portugal at -130 on the moneyline, with Croatia at +400 and the draw at +250 as of July 2. FOX Sports Research also leaned toward Portugal, arguing that Croatia’s underlying numbers have looked less explosive than in past tournaments.
Opta’s supercomputer also favours Portugal, with Al Jazeera reporting a 54.5% chance of Portugal winning in regulation time, compared with 20.4% for Croatia and 25.1% for the match to reach at least extra time.
Our prediction: Portugal 2-1 Croatia.
Portugal have more attacking variety and greater squad depth, but Croatia’s experience should keep the match close. Expect Croatia to compete well, especially in midfield, but Portugal’s individual quality in the final third could decide the game. A narrow Portugal win looks like the most likely outcome, although extra time would not be a surprise if Croatia manage to slow the rhythm.
What People Are Saying
The biggest talking point around the match is whether Ronaldo and Modrić can still influence knockout football at this level. Some analysts believe Portugal have enough quality to win if they play with more speed and control than they showed in the group stage. Others warn that Croatia’s experience makes them a dangerous underdog, especially if the match remains level late into the second half.
Portugal coach Roberto Martínez called the knockout stage a “second World Cup,” showing that Portugal see this as a reset after an uneven group phase. He also acknowledged Croatia’s pedigree, pointing to their runner-up finish in 2018 and third-place finish in 2022.
Fans are also focused on the emotional side of the match. Reuters reported that ticket prices surged for this fixture in Toronto, with demand rising sharply after the matchup was confirmed. That shows how much attention this game is attracting, not only from Portuguese and Croatian supporters, but from neutral fans who want to see Ronaldo and Modrić share the World Cup stage again.
Final Thoughts
Portugal vs Croatia has everything a knockout match needs: star power, tactical tension, history, pressure and emotion. Portugal look slightly stronger on paper, but Croatia have built their modern identity on proving people wrong in major tournaments.
For viewers, this is one of the must-watch matches of the Round of 32. Watch through official broadcasters, check your local kickoff time, and expect a tight contest where one moment from Ronaldo, Modrić, Bruno Fernandes, Gvardiol or another big player could decide the night.