Portugal vs Croatia FIFA WC 2026: Kick-off time, live streaming, squads
Synopsis
Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric — six-time Champions League winners as Real Madrid teammates — could face each other in a World Cup knockout for the first and last time on 4 July in Toronto. Portugal and Croatia have never met at a World Cup before, making this Round of 32 tie a landmark fixture wrapped in the shadow of two legends' farewell.
Key Takeaways
Portugal face Croatia in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 at Toronto Stadium on 4 July 2026 , kick-off 4:30 AM IST .
Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric could be playing their final World Cup match — and facing each other for the first time at the tournament.
Portugal finished second in Group K ; Croatia recovered from an opening loss to England to advance from Group L .
Ronaldo scored twice against Uzbekistan; Modric registered an assist in his 201st cap against Ghana.
Live streaming available on ZEE5 (subscription required); live telecast on Unite8 Sports 1, 1 HD, 2, and 2 HD .
Referee: Espen Eskas .
Portugal face Croatia in a FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 clash at Toronto Stadium, Toronto on Friday, 4 July 2026, with kick-off scheduled at 4:30 AM IST. The match carries the weight of a potential farewell for two of football's most decorated veterans — Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric — who could be stepping onto the World Cup stage for the last time.
Road to the Round of 32
Portugal advanced from Group K as runners-up, drawing against Congo DR and Colombia either side of a commanding 5-0 win over Uzbekistan — a game in which Ronaldo netted twice. Croatia, the 2018 FIFA World Cup runners-up, had a more turbulent group stage, recovering from an opening defeat to England before securing wins over Panama and Ghana to progress from Group L. Modric marked his 201st international cap for Croatia with a vital assist in the Ghana victory.
The Ronaldo-Modric Subplot
Beyond the national jerseys, this fixture carries a deeply personal dimension. Ronaldo and Modric spent six seasons together at Real Madrid, winning four UEFA Champions League titles. Both men remain their teams' captains and central figures, making this a rare occasion where former club teammates could face each other in a World Cup knockout tie.
Notably, the two nations have never previously met at a FIFA World Cup. Their most memorable meeting came at UEFA EURO 2016, where Ricardo Quaresma's extra-time goal sent Portugal through in the Round of 16, with both Ronaldo and Modric on the pitch. Before that, Luis Figo scored as Portugal beat Croatia 3-0 in the UEFA EURO 1996 group stage.
How to Watch Live in India
Indian viewers can catch the match via live streaming on ZEE5 (platform and app), with a subscription required. Live telecast will be available on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD television channels.
Key Match Details
Date and kick-off: Friday, 4 July 2026, 4:30 AM IST
Venue: Toronto Stadium, Toronto
Referee: Espen Eskas
Full Squads
Portugal
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rui Silva
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Matheus Nunes, Nelson Semedo, João Cancelo, Nuno Mendes, Gonçalo Inácio, Renato Veiga, Rúben Dias, Tomás Araújo
Midfielders: Ruben Neves, Samuel Costa, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva
Forwards: João Félix, Francisco Trincão, Francisco Conceição, Pedro Neto, Rafael Leão, Gonçalo Guedes, Gonçalo Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo
Croatia
Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Ivor Pandur, Dominik Kotarski
Defenders: Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongracic, Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo, Luka Vuskovic, Martin Erlic
Midfielders: Nikola Moro, Mateo Kovacic, Luka Modric, Nikola Vlasic, Mario Pasalic, Martin Baturina, Petar Sucic, Kristijan Jakic, Toni Fruk, Luka Sucic
Forwards: Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir, Ivan Perisic, Igor Matanovic, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa
With two legends potentially playing their final World Cup game, and a historic first meeting between these nations at the tournament, the tie is set to deliver one of the most emotionally charged nights of the 2026 edition.
Point of View
But Portugal's real test is structural: they drew two of three group games and face a Croatia side that, even when struggling, has the defensive steel and midfield nous to grind out results. The emotional narrative around two ageing captains risks obscuring a tactical contest that Croatia — with Gvardiol, Kovacic, and a deep forward bench — are well-equipped to win. Portugal's over-reliance on Ronaldo in the final third, despite a rich forward pool, is the contradiction that could define this tie.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Portugal vs Croatia at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Portugal vs Croatia takes place on Friday, 4 July 2026, with kick-off at 4:30 AM IST at Toronto Stadium in Toronto.
Where can I watch Portugal vs Croatia live in India?
The match is available for live streaming on the ZEE5 platform and app in India, with a subscription required. Live telecast is on Unite8 Sports 1, Unite8 Sports 1 HD, Unite8 Sports 2, and Unite8 Sports 2 HD.
Have Portugal and Croatia ever met at the FIFA World Cup before?
No — this is the first time Portugal and Croatia have faced each other at a FIFA World Cup. They have met at the UEFA European Championship, most notably at EURO 2016, where Ricardo Quaresma's extra-time goal sent Portugal through in the Round of 16.
Why is this match considered a potential farewell for Ronaldo and Modric?
Both Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric are veterans widely expected to be playing their final FIFA World Cup. The two captains previously spent six seasons as Real Madrid teammates, winning four UEFA Champions League titles together, adding a unique personal dimension to the knockout clash.
How did Portugal and Croatia qualify for the Round of 32?
Portugal finished second in Group K after drawing with Congo DR and Colombia and beating Uzbekistan 5-0. Croatia advanced from Group L, recovering from an opening defeat to England with wins over Panama and Ghana.
