The 2026 FIFA World Cup continued with a highly anticipated Tuesday schedule featuring Portugal against Uzbekistan, England taking on Ghana, and Panama facing Croatia in crucial Group K and L encounters. The matches carry significant implications for the knockout stage qualification race as the tournament approaches the Round of 32, which begins on June 28.

Portugal vs Uzbekistan — Group K showdown

Portugal entered their match against Uzbekistan in Houston's NRG Stadium desperately seeking their first win of the tournament. After drawing 1-1 with DR Congo in their opener — where João Neves scored after just six minutes but Yoane Wissa equalized before halftime — the Portuguese need maximum points to keep pace with group leaders Colombia. Uzbekistan, making their World Cup debut, lost 3-1 to Colombia in their opening match and need a result to keep their knockout stage hopes alive. The match was played at 1:00 PM ET (10:30 PM IST), with Fox broadcasting live.

England vs Ghana — top of the table clash in Group L

England faced Ghana at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts in a battle of two teams with perfect records after opening matchday victories. England began their campaign in spectacular fashion, defeating Croatia 4-2 with a standout second-half performance. Ghana, meanwhile, secured a dramatic late victory against Panama, with 20-year-old Caleb Yirenkyi scoring the winner in second-half injury time. The winner of this match would take control of Group L and secure a favorable position heading into the final group stage matches. Kickoff was at 4:00 PM ET (1:30 AM IST on June 24).

Panama vs Croatia — Group L elimination battle

The other Group L match saw Panama take on Croatia at BMO Field in Toronto, with both teams desperate for their first points of the tournament. Panama lost 1-0 to Ghana despite a competitive performance, while Croatia suffered a 4-2 defeat to England. With only two teams qualifying from Group L (plus potentially the best third-placed teams), both Panama and Croatia knew that a second defeat would effectively end their World Cup campaigns. The match kicked off at 7:00 PM ET (4:30 AM IST on June 24).

What's at stake for qualification

The expanded 48-team World Cup format means 32 teams advance to the knockout stage — the top two from each of the 12 groups, plus the eight best third-placed teams. With 42 of 104 matches already played, the qualification picture is beginning to take shape. Teams like Argentina, France, Norway, and the United States have already secured their spots in the Round of 32. For Portugal, England, Ghana, and others still in the group stage fight, every match is crucial.

India interest and viewing information

Indian football fans have been following the tournament with growing interest, particularly after the Indian national team's continued improvement in Asian football. While India did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, several players of Indian origin are representing other nations, and the tournament has generated significant viewership on sports streaming platforms in the country. Fox, Telemundo, and various international broadcasters are covering the matches live. Indian viewers can follow live scores and updates through official FIFA platforms and sports news websites.

Looking ahead to the knockout stage

The Round of 32 begins on June 28, with matches spread across venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The quarter-finals are scheduled for July 4-5, the semi-finals on July 12-13, and the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. As the group stage enters its final phase, the tournament is building toward what promises to be an unforgettable knockout stage featuring the world's best football talent.

Sources: ESPN, Olympics.com, FIFA, Yahoo Sports, FOX Sports, USA Today