June 22, 2026

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Portugal and Uzbekistan are meeting for the 1st time in their history, the two nations have not even played a friendly at the senior level.
• Cristiano Ronaldo will again be looking to become the first player to ever score in six different World Cup campaigns and will be looking to silence the noise that is out there after his opening game performance.
• Portugal had one shot on target in opening game against Congo even though they controlled 75% of the ball. Look for the team to let shots off at the keeper in this one.
• Portugal are appearing in their ninth World Cup and have qualified for the last seven tournaments. There best finished were 3rd in 1966 and 4th in 2006. Uzbekistan are appearing in their first World Cup, having secured a direct entry after finishing in the top two of their AFC qualifying group.
• Uzbekistan have only three players on their 26 man squad that play outside of Asia, with star defender Abdukodir Khusanov at Man City, while both Eldor Shomurodov and Abbosbek Fayzullayev play with Istanbul Basaksehir.
• Uzbekistan lost their opener to Colombia to open their tournament play and know that a second loss could mean the end of the competition for the Asian participants.

POTENTIAL STARTING ELEVEN