2026 World Cup: Portugal, England and Ghana launch their tournament against Congo, Croatia and Panama

The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues with a particularly anticipated group stage day, marked by the debut of the Portugal, England and Ghana teams. These three major nations face respectively the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Croatia and Panama, in decisive meetings for the rest of the competition. With the tournament expanded to 48 teams, each result now counts more towards qualifying for the knockout stage.

The first meeting of the day takes place in Houston, where Portugal faces a formidable Congo team. Portugal, seen as one of the favorites of the tournament, is banking on its talent from the biggest European clubs to dominate possession, build its game with quick combinations and impose its rhythm from the kick-off. Opposite, Congo is ready to complicate the task for the Portuguese thanks to its physical power, its speed and a well-organized defense. Their game plan will favor compactness, a tight central block and quick transitions to take advantage of the spaces when Portugal discovers itself. An early Portuguese goal could shake up the match, but Congo has the qualities to stand up to one of the favorites.

The second major confrontation takes place in Dallas, where England meets Croatia, a now classic rivalry in major international competitions. England arrives with a squad rich in offensive talent, driven by the expectations of its supporters. The Three Lions will look to press high and use the speed of their wings to disrupt the Croatian defense. Quickly creating chances will be crucial against a Croatian team renowned for their calm and mastery of the game under pressure.

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Croatia relies on its technique, experience and tactical discipline. Its midfielder, the cornerstone of its success, will try to control the tempo of the match and cut off the English offensive rhythm. If the Croatians manage to impose their rhythm and contain England's offensive impact, they could offer themselves a valuable result.

Finally, the last match of the day in Toronto pits Ghana against Panama, in a crucial Group L duel. Ghana wants to seize this opportunity to get their tournament off to a good start and gain momentum ahead of more difficult matches. The Black Stars will rely on their athleticism, their offensive width and the liveliness of their midfield to press Panama.

Facing them, Panama has built its reputation on its organization and resilience. The Central African team, often playing the underdog, excels at absorbing pressure to launch quick counterattacks or exploit set-pieces. Ghana will need to demonstrate patience, concentration and defensive rigor to hope for a favorable result. Success would boost their chances of qualifying, as Panama look to pick up valuable points in this balanced group.

For fans based in the United States, matches are broadcast live on FOX and FS1, with Spanish commentary available via Telemundo and Peacock. In the UK, BBC One and ITV1 offer broadcasting, as well as streaming platforms BBC iPlayer and ITVX. In Ghana, fans will be able to follow the match against Panama for free on GTV Sports+.