Last Word on Football brings you the Portugal predicted lineup and latest team news ahead of their 2026 World Cup game against Croatia in Toronto.
Roberto Martinez’s team qualified for the last 32 in second place, drawing 2 games and beating Uzbekistan 5-0. They will be eager to progress to the last 16 and show the world the talent they possess.
Croatia also qualified second in the group, winning two games after losing their opener 4-2 to England.
Portugal Predicted Lineup and Latest Team News vs Croatia
Date: Thursday, 2nd July 2026.
Venue: Toronto Stadium.
Kick-off: 00:00 BST, 19:00 ET, and 16:00 PT.
Last meeting: Portugal 1-1 Croatia (November 18th 2024).
Referee: Espen Eskas.
Current odds: Portugal 4/6, Croatia 4/1, Draw 11/4 (Sky Bet).
Read More: World Cup Round of 32 Predictions Including Portugal vs Croatia
Portugal Team News
Joao Neves was surprisingly dropped for the draw against Colombia, and his class was missed in midfield. Rafael Leao has impressed during the tournament when coming off the bench, pushing for a start against Croatia. Martinez has no fresh injury worries ahead of this last 32 clash.
Looking ahead to the knockout stages, Roberto Martinez said:
“We’ve just finished the first World Cup and now we’re beginning the second World Cup. Only once that one is over can we give a final assessment. What matters is what we did in difficult situations [against Colombia]: defending the final third, showing a lot of defensive intensity and resilience, and keeping a clean sheet. We know Croatia very well, it will be a different game and we’re well prepared. What I can promise the Portuguese people is attitude, effort and all the values of the Portuguese people that are there in the dressing room, ready to begin a new path tomorrow.”
Read More: Updated 2026 World Cup Power Rankings For the Final 32: Can Anyone Stop Lionel Messi?
Portugal Predicted Lineup
Costa, Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes, Neves, Vitinha, Neto, Fernandes, Felix, Ronaldo.
Featured Image Credit:
IMAGO / Matthias Koch
