Preview: Portugal vs Croatia – Latest News, Predicted Lineups, Team News | 2026 World Cup (03/07/2026)

Last update at 2 July, 2026⏲️ Reading time: 5 minutes

Round of 32 clash between Portugal and Croatia.

Portugal and Croatia face off in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32.

Portugal and Croatia will meet in one of the standout fixtures of the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 32. The match will be played at BMO Field in Toronto, Canada.

Fans who do not want to miss a single moment can check out our guide on where to watch Portugal vs Croatia live and follow every moment of the action from anywhere.

One of the tournament favorites, Portugal, take on Croatia, who reached the semi-finals in the last World Cup and the final in the edition before that. It could also be Cristiano Ronaldo's or Luka Modric's final appearance at a FIFA World Cup.

Latest Team News

Portugal, coached by Roberto Martínez, showed some inconsistency during the group stage but also produced flashes of their outstanding quality. Meanwhile, Zlatko Dalić's Croatia once again proved they thrive under pressure and always rise to the occasion on the biggest stage.

Portugal

Portugal began their 2026 World Cup campaign with a disappointing draw against Congo. Despite taking the lead, Roberto Martínez's side delivered a poor performance. They bounced back with a comfortable win over Uzbekistan to secure qualification before finishing second in the group after a hard-fought goalless draw against Colombia. Now comes the moment to prove they are genuine title contenders.

Croatia

Croatia opened the tournament with a defeat against England after being outplayed in their first match. Their second performance lacked fluency, but Budimir's goal and several key saves from Livaković earned three valuable points. Their strongest display came on the final matchday with a victory over Ghana, allowing them to finish second in the group. In a knockout match, Croatia remain one of the most dangerous opponents any team can face.

Portugal vs Croatia: Head-to-Head Record

Portugal and Croatia have faced each other five times over the past six years. Four meetings came in the UEFA Nations League, where Portugal hold the advantage with three wins and one draw. Croatia's only victory came in a friendly before UEFA Euro 2024.

(05/09/2020) Portugal 4-1 Croatia
(17/11/2020) Croatia 2-3 Portugal
(08/06/2024) Portugal 1-2 Croatia
(05/09/2024) Portugal 2-1 Croatia
(18/11/2024) Croatia 1-1 Portugal

Predicted Lineups

No major surprises are expected from Roberto Martínez or Zlatko Dalić for this knockout clash, with both managers having fully fit squads available.

Position	–Portugal	–Croatia
Goalkeeper	Diogo Costa	Livakovic
Defenders	Cancelo Ruben Dias Veiga Nuno Mendes	Stanisic Gvuardiol Sutalo Pongracic
Midfielders	Vitinha Neves Bruno Fernandes Pedro Neto	Modric Kovasic Baturina Perisic Pasalic
Forwards	Cristiano Ronaldo	Musa

Tactical Analysis: A Battle Between Familiar Rivals

Portugal and Croatia know each other extremely well, making it difficult for either side to spring any tactical surprises. They have met numerous times in recent years, and several players have shared dressing rooms at club level. The key battle is expected to take place in midfield, as both teams are at their best when controlling possession and dictating the tempo.

Neither team is expected to abandon its identity. Portugal possess greater attacking talent, while Croatia have yet to find a true successor to Luka Modrić. One of the biggest questions will be how long the former Real Madrid midfielder can stay on the pitch. The longer Modrić remains influential, the greater Croatia's chances of reaching the Round of 16.

Key Players to Watch

Given the expected style of the match, Vitinha will be Portugal's most influential player, while Luka Modrić remains Croatia's driving force.

Vitinha (Portugal)

The PSG midfielder is arguably one of the best playmakers in world football. Both at club and international level, Portugal perform far better when he controls the rhythm of the game. If Vitinha dominates midfield, Portugal's attacking stars will receive quality service and plenty of opportunities to make the difference.

Luka Modrić (Croatia)

Modrić continues to be Croatia's heartbeat. His biggest challenge is his physical condition, as playing ninety minutes has become increasingly demanding after turning 40. Zlatko Dalić understands this, but he also knows Croatia are a far more dangerous team whenever the AC Milan midfielder is on the field. If Modrić can conserve his energy and dictate play, Croatia have every chance of matching Portugal.

Betting Odds and Market Analysis

Portugal enter this knockout tie as favorites, although Croatia reaching this stage is far from being one of the biggest surprises in World Cup history.

Current 2026 World Cup odds strongly favor Portugal, with qualification for the Round of 16 priced between 1.35 and 1.36, while Croatia advancing is available between 2.95 and 3.20. The markets also expect goals, with over 1.5 goals during the ninety minutes typically priced between 1.30 and 1.35.

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Final Prediction

Portugal have the edge thanks to their superior squad depth and overall quality, but Croatia never make things easy. Expect a tight, tense contest, with Portugal narrowly edging the match.

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