Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal, Harry Kane's England, Luka Modric's Croatia, and Colombia led by Luis Dias and James Rodriguez are set to take the field.
According to the schedule for the group stage of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup, Portugal will face Uzbekistan on June 24 at 2 a.m. KST in their second match of Group K. Portugal started their campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Uzbekistan is making its World Cup debut in this tournament, coached by Fabio Cannavaro, who captained Italy to victory in the 2006 World Cup. The former player is now leading a first-time participant as a manager.
At 5 a.m., England will take on Ghana. Kane scored two goals in England's 4-2 victory over Croatia in their opening match. England showcased its offensive strength with contributions from Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford, but defensive vulnerabilities were evident as they conceded two goals to Croatia. While Kane's finishing was impressive, England's backline remains a concern for the title contenders.
Ghana, who defeated Panama 1-0 in their first match, will also enter the game with three points. The winner of this match will take a significant step toward advancing to the knockout stage.
At 8 a.m., Modric's Croatia will face Panama. Croatia lost 4-2 to England in their opening match, raising concerns for a team that finished as runners-up in the 2018 World Cup and third in the 2022 World Cup. Modric will mark his 200th international appearance in the match against Panama.
Finally, at 11 a.m., Colombia will meet the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Colombia won their first match against Uzbekistan 3-1, with Luis Dias making a significant impact by scoring and assisting, while captain James Rodriguez has been a central figure for the team in this tournament.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is not to be underestimated. They made a strong impression in their World Cup debut by drawing 1-1 with Portugal. If the Congo team pulls off another upset, the dynamics of Group K could shift dramatically.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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