Overview
- Four Group K and L matches are scheduled for Wednesday, June 17: Portugal vs DR Congo (Houston), England vs Croatia (Arlington), Ghana vs Panama (Toronto) and Uzbekistan vs Colombia (Mexico City).
- Cristiano Ronaldo is set to appear in a record‑equalling sixth World Cup for Portugal's 1 p.m. ET opener in Houston and his participation is widely framed as likely his final World Cup appearance.
- England, considered one of the tournament favourites, begin their campaign against Croatia at 4 p.m. ET with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham central to a side expected to target a deep run.
- Uzbekistan make their first World Cup appearance under coach Fabio Cannavaro in the late match at Estadio Azteca while Colombia return under Néstor Lorenzo with Luis Díaz and James Rodríguez among their key attacking players.
- Broadcasters and streaming partners (including FOX, FS1 and BBC One) have set schedules and bookmakers list England and Portugal as favorites, showing how viewing logistics and odds are shaping fan expectations in the expanded 48‑team tournament.