Portugal face Uzbekistan on Tuesday, June 23 at NRG Stadium in Houston, their second Group K fixture in a tournament where Cristiano Ronaldo is chasing the one trophy that has eluded him.
In this blog, you will find everything you need to know about how to watch and stream the Portugal vs Uzbekistan World Cup match online, along with team news, kick off times, broadcast options, squad details, and a full tactical preview.
Key Details
- Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2026
- Kick off Time: 1 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. CT / 10 a.m. PT (6 p.m. BST / 10:30 p.m. IST)
- Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
- Where to Watch: Fox and FOX One (USA) | ITV1 and ITVX (UK) | SBS (Australia) | Zee5 (India)
Where to Watch Portugal vs Uzbekistan Football World Cup Match?
Fox and FOX One carry the match in the United States, while ITV1 and ITVX hold UK rights, with SBS covering Australia and Zee5 streaming in India.
Coverage is free to air in the UK and Australia through ITVX and SBS On Demand, while US viewers can access Fox content through a cable package or a FOX One trial subscription.
How to watch Portugal vs Uzbekistan with a VPN
If the match is unavailable in your region, a VPN unlocks free access to ITVX, the UK broadcaster covering this fixture.
ITVX is geoblocked to the UK, so anyone outside the country needs a VPN that provides a British IP address to access the stream. Here is the step by step guide to get started.
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app.
- Connect to a UK server to get a British IP address.
- Visit ITVX and sign in, or create a free account if you do not already have one.
- Search for the Portugal vs Uzbekistan match and start streaming live.
Portugal Vs Uzbekistan Football World Cup in 2026 Team News
Portugal Team News
Roberto Martinez has led Portugal since 2023, guiding the Seleção to the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League title in his first major test in charge.
The Spanish coach previously took Belgium to a bronze medal finish at the 2018 World Cup after long spells managing Wigan, Swansea and Everton in England. At this, his sixth World Cup as a manager or player, Martinez is chasing the one trophy that has so far escaped him.
Portugal opened their campaign with a 1 1 draw against DR Congo in Houston, a result built on Joao Neves’ early header before Yoane Wissa equalised before halftime. Cristiano Ronaldo started and played all 90 minutes but failed to register a shot on target, missing two clear chances in the second half.
Captain Cristiano Ronaldo now holds the record for the most World Cup appearances and goals in men’s history, and at 41 years old this is widely seen as his last shot at the trophy. He became the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match during the DR Congo game, and questions have followed about his best role for the remainder of the group stage.
Portugal’s squad arrives largely free of injury concerns, with Champions League winners Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Vitinha and Goncalo Ramos all coming into the tournament off the back of European glory with Paris Saint Germain. Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva add further Premier League quality in midfield, while Rafael Leao and Pedro Neto offer pace and directness in the wide areas.
Tactically, Martinez favours a possession heavy approach built around patient build up through Vitinha and Joao Neves, with Bruno Fernandes pushed higher to link play. Portugal finished their opener with 80 percent possession but struggled to turn that control into clear chances, a pattern they will look to correct against a weaker Uzbekistan side.
Uzbekistan Team News
Fabio Cannavaro took charge of Uzbekistan in October 2025, arriving as a World Cup winning defender from Italy’s triumphant 2006 squad.
The appointment came after the federation moved on from Timur Kapadze, the former midfielder who had led Uzbekistan through their historic qualification campaign. Cannavaro also won the World Cup itself in 2006 with Italy, giving him rare first hand experience of exactly what his players are stepping into.
Uzbekistan opened their maiden World Cup campaign with a 3 1 defeat to Colombia in Mexico City, falling behind to Daniel Munoz’s first half goal before Luis Diaz and Jaminton Campaz settled it late. Abbosbek Fayzullaev gave the White Wolves hope with an equaliser on the hour mark, becoming the country’s first ever World Cup goalscorer in the process.
Captain Eldor Shomurodov remains the squad’s most experienced figure and all time top scorer, with 44 goals in 90 caps heading into the tournament. Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov is the squad’s most recognisable name internationally, though he struggled at times against Colombia’s movement in behind.
Uzbekistan reached this stage by topping a tough AFC qualifying group and were unbeaten through their second qualifying round, before winning the 2025 CAFA Nations Cup as further proof of their progress under previous boss Timur Kapadze. There were no fresh injury concerns reported heading into the Portugal match, with Jaloliddin Masharipov’s earlier back injury withdrawal from the original 26 man squad already accounted for before the tournament began.
Tactically, Cannavaro set his side up in a 3 4 2 1 shape against Colombia, sitting deep for long periods before pushing numbers forward once behind. Expect a similar approach against Portugal, with Uzbekistan likely to defend in a low block and search for chances through pace on the counter and set piece deliveries.
Portugal World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, Jose Sa, Rui Silva
- Defenders: Nelson Semedo, Ruben Dias, Tomas Araujo, Diogo Dalot, Renato Veiga, Goncalo Inacio, Joao Cancelo, Samu Costa, Nuno Mendes
- Midfielders: Matheus Nunes, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Ruben Neves
- Attackers: Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix, Francisco Trincao, Francisco Conceicao, Pedro Neto, Rafael Leao, Goncalo Guedes, Goncalo Ramos
Uzbekistan World Cup squad
- Goalkeepers: Utkir Yusupov, Abduvohid Nematov, Botirali Ergashev
- Defenders: Abdukodir Khusanov, Khojiakbar Alijonov, Farrukh Sayfiev, Rustam Ashurmatov, Sherzod Nasrullaev, Umar Eshmurodov, Bekhruz Karimov, Mukhammadrasul Abdumazhidov, Jakhongir Urozov, Mukhammadkodir Khamraliev
- Midfielders: Akmal Mozgovoy, Otabek Shukurov, Jamshid Iskanderov, Odiljon Hamrobekov, Azizjon Ganiev, Oston Urunov, Dostonbek Khamdamov, Alisher Odilov, Ibrokhim Ibrokhimov, Umarali Rakhmonaliev
- Attackers: Eldor Shomurodov, Igor Sergeev, Sherzod Temirov
Portugal VS Uzbekistan Match Preview
Portugal and Uzbekistan meet on Tuesday, June 23 at NRG Stadium in Houston, the same venue that hosted Portugal’s opening draw with DR Congo. The result carries real weight in Group K after Colombia’s win over Uzbekistan moved them above Portugal on goal difference following matchday one.
Portugal’s path to this point has been one of underwhelming control, dominating possession against DR Congo without finding a cutting edge in the final third. Uzbekistan arrive having shown genuine spirit in defeat, pulling level against Colombia before late goals settled that contest in the South Americans’ favour.
The stakes are clear for both sides. Portugal must win to keep pace at the top of Group K and avoid added pressure heading into their final fixture against Colombia. Uzbekistan, already up against it in their historic first World Cup, will look for a result that keeps alive their long shot hopes of finishing among the best third placed teams.
Tactical Outlook
Portugal are expected to dominate the ball again, with Vitinha and Joao Neves dictating tempo while Bruno Fernandes pushes forward to support Ronaldo. Uzbekistan will likely sit in a deep block, mirroring their setup against Colombia, and look to break quickly through Shomurodov and Fayzullaev.
The key individual matchup pits Ronaldo’s movement in the box against a well organised Uzbek back line built around Khusanov and Ashurmatov. Portugal need quicker combinations between Leao or Neto and Ronaldo to avoid repeating the slow buildup that limited their chances against DR Congo.
Football World Cup in 2026 Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| June 21 | Tunisia vs Japan | Monterrey |
| June 21 | Spain vs Saudi Arabia | Atlanta |
| June 21 | Belgium vs IR Iran | Los Angeles |
| June 21 | Uruguay vs Cabo Verde | Miami |
| June 22 | New Zealand vs Egypt | Vancouver |
| June 22 | Argentina vs Austria | Dallas |
| June 22 | France vs Iraq | Philadelphia |
| June 23 | Norway vs Senegal | New York/NJ |
| June 23 | Jordan vs Algeria | San Francisco |
| June 23 | Portugal vs Uzbekistan | Houston |
| June 23 | England vs Ghana | Boston |
| June 23 | Panama vs Croatia | Toronto |
| June 24 | Colombia vs Congo DR | Guadalajara |
| June 24 | Switzerland vs Canada | Vancouver |
| June 24 | Bosnia Herzegovina vs Qatar | Seattle |
| June 24 | Scotland vs Brazil | Miami |
2026 Football World Cup Preview
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
2026 Football World Cup Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, this World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in 2026 Football World Cup
There will be 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where these games will take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match is especially historic. The tournament kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the event.
The Stars to Watch in 2026 Football World Cup
The 2026 Football World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
2026 Football World Cup Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Prize Money and Commercial Scale for 2026 Football World Cup
The prize money for this World Cup was confirmed at a official meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended World Cup with 3.6 million fans. But that record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
2026 Football World Cup official broadcasters
Here’s a list of the official broadcasters for the 2026 Football World Cup Qatar in different countries across the world.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
2026 Football World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
This year’s 2026 Football World Cup is more than a football tournament; it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
The match kicks off on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Both teams are in Group K alongside Colombia and DR Congo, the same group that opened with a Portugal draw and a Colombia win.
Portugal drew 1 1 with DR Congo in their opener, dominating possession but struggling to create clear cut chances in the final third.
Captain Eldor Shomurodov is Uzbekistan’s all time leading scorer, while Abbosbek Fayzullaev scored the nation’s first ever World Cup goal against Colombia.
Yes, using a VPN is legal in most countries, though users should always check the terms of service of the streaming platform they plan to access.
Uzbekistan would need a strong result against Portugal and a favourable outcome against DR Congo to have any realistic chance of finishing among the best third placed teams.
