On June 17th, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will enter the final matchday of the first round of the group stage. Eight teams from Group K and Group L are set to make their debuts. Following Messi's hat-trick this morning, which equaled Klose's goal-scoring record, Cristiano Ronaldo will also make his first appearance at this FIFA World Cup.
Portugal vs. DR Congo: Cristiano Ronaldo's Sixth Bid for the World Cup Trophy
At this FIFA World Cup, Cristiano Ronaldo will be participating for the sixth time. Time flies, and the 41-year-old is no longer the young player who could burst down the wing, but his predatory instincts in the box, shooting ability, aerial threat, and experience remain weapons Portugal cannot ignore.
However, the FIFA World Cup has always been the most significant unfulfilled dream of Cristiano Ronaldo's career. In 2010, they were stopped in the Round of 16; in 2014, they were eliminated in the group stage; in 2018, they were once again stopped in the Round of 16; and in 2022, they lost to Morocco in the quarterfinals. In particular, after the defeat to Morocco, the sight of Cristiano Ronaldo crying in the player tunnel became one of the most painful memories of his national team career.
Now, three and a half years later, Cristiano Ronaldo's physical condition continues to decline. This time, his role may be different from what it was at his peak, but he remains an indispensable player in the Portuguese squad and is likely to start every game. In this qualifier, he made 5 appearances and scored 5 goals. As long as the game reaches a critical moment and a decisive touch in the box is needed, Cristiano Ronaldo will remain the player opponents cannot afford to lose focus against.
For Cristiano Ronaldo, this FIFA World Cup is most likely his final opportunity to compete for the trophy. Portugal's group this time is certainly favorable; in their opening match, they will face DR Congo, who earned their place through the intercontinental playoffs.
DR Congo's journey to the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been one of the most dramatic and winding stories of these qualifiers. The team, which had struggled in African football for many years, embarked on a long journey from a tough group stage to a playoff breakthrough, ultimately and miraculously securing the final ticket to North America.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka remains one of the most well-known players in the DR Congo squad. After four seasons at Man United, he transferred to West Ham United in the summer of 2025 for 17.6 million euros. This season, he has made 25 appearances for the Hammers, including 23 starts, providing 2 assists while also recording 40 interceptions and 94 defensive clearances. Wan-Bissaka's defensive presence on the right, built on his physique and speed, is the most reliable guarantee for DR Congo's defense.
Bakambu has been the driving force behind DR Congo's return to the FIFA World Cup. In the African qualifiers, Bakambu made 9 appearances, started 7 games, scored 4 goals, and provided 2 assists. In the intercontinental playoff final against Jamaica, he played the full 120 minutes and repeatedly tested the opponent's defense. Although both of his goals were ruled out for offside, his runnning created decisive opportunities for his teammates.
Although he has passed his 35th birthday, the veteran has long answered doubts about his age with a steady stream of crucial goals. Against an opponent as strong as Portugal, his experience and predatory instinct in front of goal will be an irreplaceable attacking weapon for DR Congo.
Match Information
Match Time: June 17th, 12:00PM Local Time
Venue: Houston Stadium, USA
Referee: Jassim (Qatar)
England vs. Croatia: The Three Lions Plagued by Pre-Match Issues
While other teams are fully preparing for the FIFA World Cup, news involving England has seemed out of place. They first suffered a major theft incident: during the team's move from Florida to the Kansas City training base, a large amount of training equipment and players' match equipment was stolen, including exclusive boots belonging to some star players. It is reported that after the goods arrived, staff found only one football remaining among the items left behind.
Subsequently, an earlier news story resurfaced: before England's friendly match against Costa Rica, the England team chef had been stopped for carrying kitchen knives after triggering a security alarm while attempting to travel by train from West Palm Beach to Orlando.
After England finally arrived in Kansas City, their training base, which had been sunny and hot just hours earlier, was struck by a deadly tornado in the evening. The severe weather forced the England players to train indoors. After overcoming various challenges, England are now finally set to take the FIFA World Cup stage, with Croatia their first opponent.
At this FIFA World Cup, Tuchel took over the coaching reins of the Three Lions and named a notably bold squad. Foden, Palmer, TAA, Grealish, and others missed out on the FIFA World Cup. The debate over attacking positions, an issue England have often faced, was effectively addressed by him at the squad-selection level.
Naturally, such trade-offs cannot satisfy everyone. Tuchel's list appears more streamlined and more closely aligned with his own personnel philosophy. Whether this gamble can deliver results will be best tested in the first game.
England are certainly no strangers to Croatia. In the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final, they were eliminated in extra time by a Mandzukic goal, falling to their opponents. Yet Croatia's hidden danger lies precisely there: eight years later, many of the players Croatia now relies on are still from that night.
The 40-year-old Luka Modric once again takes to the FIFA World Cup stage. This is not only his fifth campaign, but also the inevitable "last dance" for Croatia's golden generation. The runner-up miracle forged in Russia and the bronze wall built in Qatar will both reach their conclusion on this field. These veterans, with an average age of nearly 28, will deliver a dignified farewell performance under Modric's leadership.
Fortunately, England and Croatia's group is not a "group of death." Of their other two opponents, Ghana are relatively challenging but not top-tier, while Panama are clearly weaker. Regardless of the outcome of this match, both sides still have a strong chance of advancing to the knockout stage.
Match Information
Match Time: June 17th, 15:00PM Local Time
Venue: Dallas Stadium, USA
Referee: Turpin (France)
Ghana vs. Panama: Both Sides See Each Other as the Group's Easy Target
While the focus in Group L is on England and Croatia, the match between Ghana and Panama is a classic "six-pointer" in which neither side can afford to lose. Both teams view the other as the opponent most likely to surrender all three points in this group. Whoever secures victory in the opening match will seize the initiative in the race to advance to the knockout stage.
The Ghana squad does not lack talent; its biggest problem is consistency. This time, Ghana’s already depleted midfield suffered another blow, with Partey denied entry into Canada, confirming his absence from the first match. The news compounded Ghana’s woes, as Kudus had already been ruled out of this FIFA World Cup due to injury.
Fortunately, Semenyo continues to lead the line in attack. The striker has maintained strong form since joining Man City in the second half of the season. With a current market value of 80 million euros, he recently scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final. If Ghana are to win, they may have to rely solely on Semenyo to shoulder the attacking burden.
Their opponents, Panama, are no longer the minnows who lost all three games and conceded 11 goals in 2018. Under Danish coach Christiansen, they have risen to 34th in the world and even defeated the United States last year. This team has no big names, and you may not recognize any of their players, but they are extremely athletic and resilient, and particularly adept at picking up points in chaotic games. Facing Ghana, who have just experienced coaching turmoil and a fragmented midfield, Panama have every right to target their first FIFA World Cup points in history—this match is likely to be more tightly contested than expected.
Match Information
Match Time: June 17th, 19:00 PM Local Time
Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Referee: Glenn Nyberg (Sweden)
Uzbekistan vs. Colombia: Debutants Face the Hungry Condors
This is the most important match in Uzbekistan's football history. The Central Asian Wolves are stepping onto the FIFA World Cup stage for the first time, with a familiar face from the Chinese Super League on their coaching bench: former Italian Golden Ball defender Cannavaro. He took charge last October, by which point Uzbekistan had already qualified for the FIFA World Cup. Now, for Uzbekistan, the moment they step onto the grass will be historic, and clearly, they do not want to be mere spectators.
Uzbekistan's greatest source of confidence lies in their defense. Man City's center-back Khusanov, valued at 50 million euros, is the undisputed core of this team. At just 22 years old, he has proven his ability to compete with top strikers in the Premier League. Veteran Shomurodov serves as the focal point in counter-attacks; his physicality and experience will be among Uzbekistan's few offensive weapons. Against Colombia, Uzbekistan's tactics are clear: tighten up defensively first, then look for an opportunity to steal a goal.
But their opponents should not be underestimated; Colombia have waited eight years to return to the FIFA World Cup stage. The last time they were in Russia, they lost to England and exited in the Round of 16. This time, Lorenzo's team return to the FIFA World Cup with the momentum of finishing as Copa América 2024 runners-up. Although the 34-year-old James Rodríguez has been out of the mainstream spotlight for a long time, he remains Colombia's midfield maestro and undisputed core. His passing vision is still among the best in South American football, but his physical condition will be a major concern.
Up front, the team’s other key figure, Luis Díaz, has been in scintillating form this season. Since transferring to Bayern, he has been more productive than he was at Liverpool, contributing 26 goals and 19 assists in 51 appearances across all competitions this season, making him one of the top left-wingers in world football today. Additionally, the "new" Luis Suárez, who plays for Sporting CP, has delivered top-tier numbers this season with 38 goals and 8 assists, and is also in red-hot form.
Colombia’s biggest advantage lies in experience—more than half of their players featured in the last FIFA World Cup, while Uzbekistan’s entire squad has zero FIFA World Cup appearances. Against such an unfamiliar opponent, how Colombia delivers a “welcome to the FIFA World Cup” greeting to this new team will be the biggest highlight.
Match Information
Match time: June 17th, 18:00 PM Local Time
Venue: Mexico City Stadium, Mexico
Referee: Antony Taylor (England)
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