The end of the group stage of the 2026 World Cup will take place on Saturday, June 27, with six games that will determine the last teams classified for the next knockout phase. Big names in football, including Portugal, under the leadership of Cristiano Ronaldo; Lionel Messi’s Argentina; England, which has Harry Kane; and Croatia, with Luka Modric in charge, will take the field.
The schedule for this crucial day features significant duels, such as the clash between Portugal and Colombia, a direct battle for first place in Group K. Also in this group, the Democratic Republic of Congo will duel against Uzbekistan. In Group L, England will play Panama in New Jersey, and Croatia will face Ghana in Philadelphia, both games with the top of the group up for grabs. In Group J, Argentina and Jordan will only complete the table, while Austria and Algeria will fight for the remaining place in the next phase.
See the times and broadcast platforms for the clashes
Below, the detailed list of scheduled games and alternatives for watching the matches this Saturday:
- 6pm – Panama x England
* Where to watch: TV Globo, sportv, getv, Globoplay, ge.globo, SBT, NSports and CazéTV
- 6pm – Croatia x Ghana
* Where to watch: CazéTV
- 8:30 pm – Colombia x Portugal
* Where to watch: CazéTV
- 8:30 pm – DR Congo x Uzbekistan
* Where to watch: CazéTV
- 11pm – Algeria x Austria
* Where to watch: TV Globo, sportv, Globoplay, ge.globo and CazéTV
- 11pm – Jordan x Argentina
* Where to watch: CazéTV
Scenarios and predictions for the outstanding teams
The first matches of the day will take place in Group L, with Panama and England dueling in New Jersey, and Croatia facing Ghana in Philadelphia. England leads the group with four points, the same score as Ghana, but stands out on goal difference. Croatia occupies third place, with three points, while Panama, already out of contention, is at the bottom of the group.
England and Ghana’s rankings are very close, and both teams can move forward even in the event of a setback, either directly or as one of the best third-placed teams. For Croatia, a draw is the minimum to guarantee their continued dependence on their performance. It is crucial to note that the three teams still have the possibility of ending the round as group leaders, a position that, in most cases, guarantees a less complicated selection in the knockout phase, which can be an immense strategic difference.
Fight for first place in Group K intensifies
Later, the most prominent clash will be in Miami, where Colombia and Portugal will face each other in a direct dispute for the leadership of Group K. The Colombians have accumulated six points, the result of victories over Uzbekistan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, needing only a draw to guarantee first place in the group.
Portugal, which overcame internal obstacles before the championship, occupies second place with four points. After drawing with DR Congo, the Portuguese team scored a 5-0 rout over Uzbekistan, with two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo. At this moment, only one victory guarantees the Portuguese the leadership of the group, which would consequently result in a potentially smoother and less exhausting path in the draw for the knockout phase, directly impacting their chances of advancement.
In the other Group K match, DR Congo and Uzbekistan will play in Atlanta. The African team will guarantee at least a place among the best third-placed teams if they win. The Uzbeks, who registered defeats by large scores in the first two rounds, will need a significant victory and a combination of other results to maintain their chance of progressing in the tournament.
Matches with previous definitions in Group J
Closing the day’s agenda, the teams from Group J will take the field. In Dallas, Argentina, which has already secured its classification and the lead in the group, will face Jordan, already eliminated, in a game that will only serve to formalize the completion of the table. For this reason, coach Lionel Scaloni will probably choose to rest some of his main athletes, especially Lionel Messi, who already stands out as the World Cup’s top scorer with five goals scored against Algeria and Austria.
In Kansas City, Algeria and Austria will face each other in a direct confrontation for the second place in the group. The team that wins will guarantee its classification for the next phase. The Austrians have the advantage of being able to play for a draw, while Algeria can still advance with a draw, if they qualify among the best third-placed teams, but will be eliminated in case of defeat.