17/06/2026 13:48 - Deportes
Estadio de futbol moderno iluminado con luces brillantes durante un partido nocturno del Mundial 2026, banderas de paises como Portugal, Inglaterra y Colombia ondeando en las gradas llenas, atmosfera festiva con hinchas celebrando, colores vibrantes y energia electrica, estilo fotografico deportivo profesional
The third matchday of the World Cup 2026 brings a top-tier football menu with four matches featuring some of the tournament's most attractive teams beginning their journey toward glory.
Portugal opens the day with high expectations after recently winning the UEFA Nations League. The Portuguese squad arrives with a roster full of stars including Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, and of course, Cristiano Ronaldo, the all-time leading goal scorer in football history with over 900 career goals.
The Portuguese national team will aim to surpass their best historical mark: third place in England 1966 with legendary Eusébio as the star, and the semifinals of Germany 2006.
D.R. Congo plays in their second World Cup. Their only previous appearance was in Germany 1974, when they competed under the name Zaire.
One of the most anticipated clashes of the opening round. England and Croatia renew their rivalry from the 2018 Russia World Cup semifinal, where the Balkan side prevailed 2-1 in extra time to advance to their first-ever World Cup final.
Since then, Croatia has established itself as a football powerhouse: they claimed third place at Qatar 2022, cementing their golden generation led by Luka Modrić. England, with a brilliant generation combining young talent and experience, seeks to start their campaign as serious title contenders.
Venue: To be confirmed | Referee: To be designated
Ghana and Panama face off in a crucial match for their knockout stage aspirations. Both teams look to take the first step toward the Round of 16.
The African side arrives with a competitive squad featuring players from top European leagues, while the Central Americans aim to be the tournament's surprise package. Panama made their World Cup debut in Russia 2018.
Colombia closes the day with their debut against Uzbekistan at the iconic Estadio Ciudad de México (Azteca Stadium), one of the most legendary venues in world football.
The Colombian national team, managed by Argentine coach Néstor Lorenzo, combines experience and excellent current form, having reached the Copa América final in 2024.
Uzbekistan aims to become one of the tournament's surprise stories in their first-ever World Cup appearance.
| Time (Argentina / ET) | Match | Group | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2:00 PM / 1:00 PM ET | Portugal vs D.R. Congo | Group K | To be confirmed |
| 5:00 PM / 4:00 PM ET | England vs Croatia | Group L | To be confirmed |
| 8:00 PM / 7:00 PM ET | Ghana vs Panama | Group M | To be confirmed |
| 11:00 PM / 10:00 PM ET | Colombia vs Uzbekistan | Group K | Estadio Ciudad de México |
The 2026 World Cup marks a historic expansion to 48 teams and will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This new format features 12 groups of 4 teams each, with the top two from each group plus the eight best third-placed teams advancing to the Round of 32.
🇦🇷 Argentina
Opened with a dominant 3-0 victory over Algeria courtesy of a Lionel Messi hat-trick. Leads Group J with a +3 goal difference.
🇫🇷 France
Defeated Senegal 3-1 with a Kylian Mbappé brace. Mbappé has accumulated 14 World Cup goals in his career, approaching the all-time record.
🇦🇹 Austria
Beat Jordan 3-1 and joins Argentina with 3 points at the top of Group J.
United States: Fox Sports, Telemundo | United Kingdom: BBC, ITV | Latin America: Televisa, TyC Sports, ESPN | Streaming: Various platforms depending on region. Check local listings for specific matches.
Source: FIFA official World Cup 2026 data. Times expressed in Argentina (UTC-3) and Eastern Time (ET). All matches subject to final confirmation by FIFA.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
