Portugal face Croatia at Toronto Stadium at midnight on Friday in the World Cup last 32, with a place in the round of 16 against Spain or Austria the reward for the winner.
Roberto Martinez’s side finished Group K as runners-up, two points behind Colombia. Their group stage was inconsistent. The squad is fit, the talent is undeniable, and the knockout stage is where Portugal have consistently performed at their best across the last decade.
Portugal team news
Martinez has no injury concerns to manage and names his strongest available XI. Joao Neves is the key return. The Benfica midfielder was rested for the goalless draw with Colombia after starting the opening two matches, and he comes back into central midfield alongside Vitinha. The pair give Portugal a press-resistant, technically precise engine room capable of controlling the tempo against Modric and Kovacic.
Bruno Fernandes operates in the number ten position behind the front three, his energy and delivery the link between midfield and attack. Pedro Neto starts on the right, Joao Felix on the left. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the line at 40 years old, his sixth World Cup and, by his own admission, likely his last.
He has scored twice at this tournament, both against Uzbekistan, and holds a remarkable record as the first player to score in six consecutive World Cup editions. He has never scored or assisted in the World Cup knockout stage. That record carries more weight with every passing game. Nuno Mendes and Joao Cancelo continue at full-back. Ruben Dias and Renato Veiga anchor the central defensive partnership, with Diogo Costa in goal.
Portugal predicted lineup
Portugal possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Neto, Fernandes, Felix; Ronaldo
When will the match kick off?
The FIFA World Cup last-32 match kicks off at 00:00 BST on Friday, 3 July 2026.
How to watch Portugal vs Croatia?
The match will be broadcast live on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the UK.
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