2026 World Cup: How to Watch England, Portugal, and More Matches

All 48 teams participating in the 2026 World Cup will have played at least one match by the end of Wednesday, according to tournament schedules. This milestone follows an expanded group stage format that required eight teams to wait nearly a week after the tournament began to make their debuts.

Who plays in the Wednesday World Cup matches?

Four matches are scheduled across three countries. Portugal faces the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) at 1 p.m. ET in Houston Stadium. England takes on Croatia at 4 p.m. ET at Dallas Stadium.

Ghana plays Panama at 7 p.m. ET in Toronto Stadium. The day concludes with Uzbekistan facing Colombia at 10 p.m. ET at Mexico City Stadium.

Did You Know? The Democratic Republic of the Congo has not appeared in a World Cup since 1974, when the team competed under the name Zaire.

How do the England and Croatia matchups compare?

England enters the match with a squad described as arguably their strongest ever, though manager Thomas Tuchel omitted Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, and Trent Alexander-Arnold. These omissions could result in a lack of creativity on the ball, according to match analysis.

Croatia relies on a core of experienced players, including Luka Modric. This squad holds a history of beating England in World Cups, specifically in the 2018 semi-final. England may look to Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson to control the center of the pitch against Modric.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that Tuchel’s roster decisions create a high-risk, high-reward scenario. By prioritizing specific profiles over established stars like Foden, England’s success depends entirely on whether the remaining midfield can maintain possession against Croatia’s proven tournament resilience.

What are the stakes for Ghana, Panama, and Uzbekistan?

The match between Ghana and Panama in Group L could effectively end one team’s chances of reaching the knockout rounds due to the strength of the competition. Ghana recently hired Carlos Queiroz to address defensive instability, while Panama has developed technically and physically under manager Thomas Christiansen.

Uzbekistan will make its World Cup debut under coach Fabio Cannavaro. The “White Wolves” kept seven clean sheets in 10 games during the final qualification phase. They face a Colombia side returning after missing the 2022 tournament, led by Bayern Munich winger Luis Díaz, who scored 26 club goals last season.

How can viewers watch the games?

In the United States, matches are broadcast on Fox, FS1, and Telemundo, with streaming available on Fubo. Canadian viewers can watch via TSN streaming.

WATCH LIVE: England vs Croatia | FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L Showdown | Kane Leads England!

UK broadcasts are split between the BBC and ITV, while Australian viewers can access the games through SBS streaming.

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the England v Croatia match?
The match takes place at 4 p.m. ET at Dallas Stadium.

Which player is highlighted as a key threat for Colombia?
Luis Díaz is identified as a primary player for Colombia following a 26-goal season at the club level.

Who is the manager of the Uzbekistan team?
Uzbekistan is coached by World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro.

Which of Wednesday’s matchups do you expect to be the biggest upset?