June 22, 2026

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Portugal and Croatia are meeting for the 1st time in a World Cup game, the two nations have faced off in the Euro twice with Portugal winning both contests, one of which was a thriller, 1-0 in additional time on their way to capture Euro 2016 title.
• Former long time teammates Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric look to lead their respective nations to the round of 16 in what is expected to be a hot humid night in Toronto. The 41 year old and 40 year old are the oldest captains to face off in World Cup history.
• Portugal keeper Diogo Costa made six saves in the nations final game against Colombia, he came into the contest having made three saves in the first two group games against Congo and Uzbekistan.
• Portugal are appearing in their ninth World Cup and have qualified for the last seven tournaments. There best finish was 3rd in 1966 and 4th in 2006. Croatia are appearing in their seventh World Cup and have appeared in the last four tournaments. There best finish was in 2018 when they finished as runner up to tournament winner France. They also finished 3rd in 1998 and 2022.
• Croatia started the second oldest XI at a World Cup when taking on Ghana in the group stage, the average age of the XI was 30 years and 94 days.
• The winner of this contest will take on the winner of Spain and Austria in the Round of 16 in Dallas, USA on July 6, 2026.

POTENTIAL STARTING ELEVEN