Portugal vs Croatia Preview: Predicted Lineups, Team News & Tactical Analysis | 2026 World Cup Round of 32
Portugal and Croatia have never met at a World Cup before, and that alone makes this Round of 32 draw a little different from the usual knockout cliche. Cristiano Ronaldo, in his sixth and presumably final World Cup, against Luka Modric, still running a midfield at 40 years old as if the calendar does not apply to him. This is not really a changing-of-the-guard storyline. Both these players are still among the best players on their teams, full stop.
The bigger question is whether Croatia's defense can hold up against a Portugal attack that has more gears than it showed in the group stage. Croatia conceded four to England in the opener and has cleaned things up since, but Portugal's group form was its own mixed bag, a draw and a 5-0 blowout bookended by a flat finish against Colombia. Knockout football usually punishes whichever side blinks first.
This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, the tactical matchup and a score prediction for Thursday's Round of 32 clash at BMO Field.
When & Where to Watch (USA)
Thursday, July 2 at 7:00 PM ET / 4:00 PM PT
Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, Ontario
US Coverage (English):
- TV: FOX
- Streaming: Tubi (free), FOX Sports app
US Coverage (Spanish):
- TV: Telemundo / Universo
- Streaming: Peacock
Portugal vs Croatia Lineups & Injury News
Predicted Lineups & Starting XIs
CroatiaCRO
PortugalPORCroatiaPredictedPortugalPredictedThe predicted starting XIs are listed below and update automatically in the widget above as confirmed lineups drop. Lineups via RotoWire.
Portugal predicted starting XI (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa (GK); Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes (DEF); Joao Neves, Vitinha (DM); Pedro Neto, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix (AM); Cristiano Ronaldo (FWD).
Croatia predicted starting XI (4-3-3): Dominik Livakovic (GK); Josip Stanisic, Josip Sutalo, Marin Pongracic, Josko Gvardiol (DEF); Petar Sucic, Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic (MID); Martin Baturina, Ante Budimir, Ivan Perisic (FWD).
Portugal Lineup Notes
Portugal's injury table is empty heading into this one, and player news has not flagged any late fitness questions for manager Roberto Martinez's group. That depth has been the story of Portugal's tournament so far. Goncalo Ramos has pushed for minutes through the middle, and both Leao and Conceicao give Martinez attacking options off the bench if the early picture against Croatia looks similar to the stalemate against Colombia. Check RotoWire's player news for the confirmed lineup.
Bruno Fernandes remains the engine of everything Portugal does in the final third, and he has been Cristiano Ronaldo's most reliable outlet for both service and set pieces. The concern through three group games has not been talent, it has been finding ways to break down a side that sits in and defends with numbers, which is more or less the approach Croatia figures to take here.
Croatia Lineup Notes
Croatia also have a clean injury table for this match, with no players appearing on the World Cup injury report and nothing notable in the latest player news. The bigger storyline is workload management for Modric, who coach Dalic has leaned on heavily through three group games and will need fresh for 90 minutes here, possibly more. Check RotoWire's player news for the confirmed lineup.
Andrej Kramaric has been Croatia's sharpest finisher with seven goals across recent international matches and gives coach Dalic a different look off the bench if Budimir is not getting service. The defense is the bigger worry. Four goals conceded to England exposed real issues in transition, and Portugal's wide attackers have the pace to test those same gaps again.
Portugal vs Croatia Head-to-Head Record
This is the first-ever World Cup meeting between these two nations, so there is no tournament history to lean on. Looking at the broader picture, Portugal hold a significant edge, winning six of eight meetings since 2005 against one Croatia win and one draw. The most recent meetings split close, with Portugal winning 2-1 at home in September 2024 before the sides drew 1-1 in Zagreb two months later. Croatia's lone recent win came in a June 2024 friendly in Lisbon, proof that coach Dalic's group can cause problems even against a stronger side on paper.
Tactical Analysis & Formations
Manager Martinez's Portugal wants the ball in good areas through Neves and Vitinha, then trusts Fernandes and the wide forwards to create something specific rather than just probing. The issue through the group stage was patience against teams willing to sit deep, and Croatia, even with their defensive issues, will likely take a similarly cautious approach in a knockout setting rather than chase the game from the opening whistle.
Coach Dalic's Croatia is built around controlling tempo through Modric and Kovacic, slowing the game to a pace that suits the older legs in midfield, then looking to spring Perisic and Baturina in transition. The problem is that this approach asks a lot of a back four that has already shown it can be exposed by quicker, more direct opposition, and Portugal have exactly that kind of speed on both flanks.
Portugal should control the bulk of this game, though this is far from the formality the head-to-head record suggests. Croatia have been here before in bigger moments than this, and a side with Modric and Kovacic in the engine room is never just going to fold.
Portugal vs Croatia Odds
Portugal are favorites here, with the price reflecting their squad depth and the head-to-head edge, though not by a margin that suggests a comfortable night. Check current prices before kickoff, as the lines will move with team news.
| Sportsbook | Portugal | Draw | Croatia |
|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | -130 | +240 | +380 |
| DraftKings | -130 | +265 | +400 |
| FanDuel | -130 | +250 | +400 |
| bet365 | -134 | +250 | +400 |
| Kalshi | -131 | +251 | +372 |
Odds as of June 30 and likely to move. Shop the best lines at RotoWire's soccer betting odds page and claim bonuses using the best sportsbook promos.
Key Matchups
Bruno Fernandes vs Croatia's Midfield Discipline
Fernandes has been Portugal's primary creative outlet all tournament, and how Sucic and Kovacic handle his movement between the lines will go a long way toward deciding whether Portugal's attack functions in rhythm or has to manufacture chances in isolation.
Portugal's Wide Speed vs Croatia's Full-Backs
Stanisic and Gvardiol have to defend in space against Neto and Felix, and that matchup was the difference in England's win over Croatia. Portugal have the pace on both sides to create the same problems if manager Martinez's wide options get isolated one-on-one.
Set-Piece Takers
For a full breakdown of corner, free kick and penalty takers for all 48 teams, see RotoWire's 2026 World Cup Set-Piece Takers guide.
Portugal
- Corners & free kicks: Bruno Fernandes (6), Nuno Mendes (1), Joao Cancelo (1), Bernardo Silva (1), Pedro Neto, Francisco Trincao (1), Francisco Conceicao
- Penalties: Bruno Fernandes, Cristiano Ronaldo
Croatia
- Corners & free kicks: Ivan Perisic (2), Luka Modric (3), Marco Pasalic (1), Martin Baturina (1), Mario Pasalic, Nikola Moro, Luka Sucic
- Penalties: Luka Modric, Ante Budimir, Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric
Portugal vs. Croatia Prediction
Portugal have more talent at every position and the head-to-head history to back up the favorite tag, but Croatia have been here before and will not be intimidated by the stage. Manager Martinez's depth should eventually tell, with Ronaldo or one of the wide forwards finding a breakthrough in the second half against a defense that has already shown it can crack under sustained pressure.
Score Prediction: Portugal 2-1 Croatia
Upcoming Fixtures
The winner advances to face either Spain or Austria in the Round of 16. For the full Round of 32 picture, see RotoWire's 2026 World Cup group previews and visit the RotoWire's World Cup hub for the latest lineups, odds and recaps throughout the knockout rounds.
For more coverage, visit RotoWire's World Cup hub for predicted lineups, fantasy rankings, set pieces, betting picks, odds and daily recaps throughout the tournament.
