Saturday delivers a pivotal day at the FIFA World Cup 2026, with six final group-stage matches set to determine the remaining places in the Round of 32 before the knockout phase begins.
England and Argentina are chasing perfect group records, while Colombia and Portugal clash for top spot in Group K. Croatia, Ghana, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan are among the sides still battling to extend their tournament stays.
Off the pitch, Cape Verde have made history by reaching the knockout stage on their World Cup debut. Iran face an anxious wait to discover if their third-place finish in Group G will be enough to advance as one of the best third-placed teams. Meanwhile, captain Mehdi Taremi has criticised FIFA over his team’s travel arrangements, and pink boots have emerged as the tournament’s standout footwear trend.
Here is everything you need to know:
Saturday’s Match Schedule
- Panama vs England at New York New Jersey Stadium, United States — 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 GMT)
- Croatia vs Ghana at Philadelphia Stadium, United States — 5:00 pm EDT (21:00 GMT)
- Colombia vs Portugal at Miami Stadium, United States — 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 GMT)
- DR Congo vs Uzbekistan at Atlanta Stadium, United States — 7:30 pm EDT (23:30 GMT)
- Jordan vs Argentina at Dallas Stadium, United States — 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 GMT Sunday)
- Algeria vs Austria at Kansas City Stadium, United States — 9:00 pm CDT (02:00 GMT Sunday)
Panama vs England: Predictions
England and Panama have met once before at a World Cup, with the Three Lions securing a 6–1 group-stage victory at Russia 2018 — their largest-ever finals win.
England are overwhelming favourites in New Jersey. According to Opta’s supercomputer, which ran 25,000 pre-match simulations, Gareth Southgate’s side hold a 78.5 percent chance of victory. Panama are given just an 8.9 percent chance of a first World Cup win, while the probability of them earning a maiden tournament point stands at 12.6 percent.
Croatia vs Ghana: Predictions
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two nations. Ranked 65th by FIFA, Ghana are the second-lowest-ranked opponent Croatia have faced at a World Cup, after Russia (70th) in 2018.
Despite trailing Ghana by a point in Group L, Croatia are clear favourites according to Opta. Across 25,000 simulations, the 2018 finalists won 56.3 percent of the time. Ghana prevailed in 17.6 percent, while a draw was rated at 26.2 percent.
Colombia vs Portugal: Predictions
This is the first World Cup encounter between Colombia and Portugal. Los Cafeteros will become only the third South American side Portugal have faced at the finals, following meetings with Brazil and Uruguay.
Portugal are slight favourites, winning 51.6 percent of Opta’s simulations. Colombia were victorious in 23.9 percent, with a draw at 25.2 percent. A point would be enough for Colombia to secure top spot in Group K.
DR Congo vs Uzbekistan: Predictions
Another first-ever meeting, with both sides still chasing a knockout berth. DR Congo are also seeking their first World Cup victory after drawing with Portugal and narrowly losing to Colombia.
The Opta supercomputer gives the Leopards the edge at 48.9 percent across 25,000 simulations. Uzbekistan won 26.8 percent, while a draw was rated at 24.3 percent — leaving the Central Asians with an outside chance of reaching the last 32.
Algeria vs Austria: Predictions
This is only the second meeting between the nations, the previous encounter also coming in a World Cup group stage — Austria winning 2–0 in 1982, their most recent clean sheet at the finals.
Opta expects a tight contest, with a draw the most likely outcome at 42.1 percent. Austria are narrowly favoured to win (31.2 percent) over Algeria (26.7 percent). Victory would give Algeria back-to-back World Cup wins for the first time.
Jordan vs Argentina: Predictions
This will be the first meeting between Jordan and Argentina in any competition. The reigning champions are overwhelming favourites to maintain their perfect record, even with Lionel Messi confirmed to start on the bench.
Opta gives Argentina a 77.9 percent chance of victory. The draw is rated at 13.3 percent, leaving already-eliminated Jordan with just an 8.8 percent chance of a historic first World Cup win.
Round of 32: Qualified Teams
Group winners (confirmed): Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, USA, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France, Argentina.
Group runners-up (confirmed): South Africa, Canada, Morocco, Australia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Egypt, Cape Verde, Norway.
Qualified with group position still to be decided: Colombia, Portugal, England, Ghana.
Best third-placed teams (confirmed): Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, Sweden, Paraguay, Senegal.
What Else Is Happening?
Cape Verde’s Dream Debut Continues
The island nation reached the World Cup knockout stage for the first time after holding Saudi Arabia to a goalless draw in Houston on Friday, becoming the smallest country by population to reach the last 32 of a men’s World Cup.
The newcomers had already stunned Spain with a 0–0 draw in their opener before scoring their first World Cup goals in a 2–2 draw with Uruguay. They finished unbeaten on three points, second in Group H behind Spain.
Next comes their biggest test yet: defending champions Argentina in the Round of 32 at Miami Gardens, Florida, on 3 July.
Iran Left Waiting After Late VAR Heartbreak
Iran’s hopes of reaching the Round of 32 remain alive but are no longer in their own hands. Team Melli drew 1–1 with Egypt after a dramatic stoppage-time winner was ruled out for offside following a VAR review, leaving them third in Group G on three points.
Iran must now wait to see if that tally is enough to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. To progress, they need one of the following scenarios on Saturday:
- Croatia to be defeated by Ghana in Group L.
- DR Congo to fail to beat Uzbekistan in Group K — provided Uzbekistan do not win by a margin of seven goals or more.
- Either Austria or Algeria to win their final Group J match.
Taremi Criticises World Cup Conditions for Iran
Iran captain Mehdi Taremi accused FIFA of failing to address logistical problems facing his team after Friday’s 1–1 draw with Egypt.
Speaking after the game, Taremi described the team’s travel arrangements as a “disaster”, saying repeated journeys from their base in Tijuana to match venues in the US had put Iran at a disadvantage. He also questioned whether his team were truly welcome at the tournament, asking: “If they want us to be out, OK, let’s be out. But that’s not fair.”
The comments come against a backdrop of heightened tensions between Iran and the US following recent military exchanges and a fragile ceasefire. Taremi urged FIFA to resolve the issues, saying the governing body had failed to provide the support promised before the tournament.
Why Are Players Wearing Pink Boots at the World Cup?
Pink has become the standout boot colour at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after leading manufacturers — including Nike, Adidas, Puma, Skechers, and New Balance — all released bright pink designs before the tournament.
The colour is intended to help players stand out on the pitch while projecting confidence. “Athletes associate this colour with confidence and standing out, and that resonates,” said Nike’s director of global footwear, Odinga Nimako.
Among those wearing pink boots are Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Erling Haaland in Nike models, while Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, Jonathan David, Lamine Yamal, and Ousmane Dembélé are sporting Adidas versions.
The trend continues a shift away from traditional black-and-white football boots, following the colourful designs that first gained popularity at the 1998 World Cup.
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