World Cup group stage concludes with key matches for England, Portugal, and Ghana

By Kwame Ofori — 27 June 2026 — 4 min read

Final Group Stage Matches Set for Saturday

The group stage of the 2026 World Cup concludes on Saturday with critical matches across Groups J, K, and L. Teams are vying for spots in the Round of 32, with several key matchups determining group winners and advancing teams.

In Group L, England is set to face Panama at 5 p.m. ET in East Rutherford, New Jersey. England can secure the group with a victory and a loss for Ghana against Croatia, or with a win and a superior goal differential compared to the Black Stars. Panama, already eliminated, will be looking to achieve its first-ever World Cup win in its second tournament appearance. The previous encounter between England and Panama at the World Cup saw England secure a 6-1 victory in 2018, which remains their largest win in the tournament’s history.

Simultaneously, Croatia will play Ghana at 5 p.m. ET in Philadelphia. This match is crucial for both teams, as the winner will guarantee at least a second-place finish in the group. If England does not win against Panama, the outcome of the Croatia versus Ghana match will determine the winner of Group L. Ghana has multiple paths to either win the group or finish as runners-up. Luka Modrić and Croatia will secure a top-two finish with a victory. This marks the first time Croatia and Ghana will meet in a World Cup match.

Ghana enters this game following a 0-0 draw with England, a match where their defensive strategy frustrated the Three Lions. The Black Stars have not conceded a goal in the tournament so far, an improvement under coach Carlos Queiroz, who took over in April. Their 1-0 win against Panama in their opener ended a seven-match winless streak. Croatia, despite scoring two equalizers against England in a 4-2 loss and having to work hard for a 1-0 win against Panama, will rely on veteran midfielders like Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić to break down Ghana‘s defense.

Group K and J Battles for Knockout Stage Spots

In Group K, a significant match between Colombia and Portugal is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET in Miami. This game will decide the group winner, with Colombia needing a win or a draw to secure first place. Portugal requires a win to claim the group title. A draw or a loss for Portugal, combined with Uzbekistan beating DR Congo, could see them finish second. Portugal has only failed to advance from the group stage once in Cristiano Ronaldo‘s career, which was in 2014.

Portugal‘s recent 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan saw Cristiano Ronaldo score two goals, ending a scoring drought in major international tournaments. These goals made him the first player to score in six different World Cups. The team, featuring players like Rafael Leão, Francisco Conceição, Vitinha, João Neves, and Bruno Fernandes, is considered a strong contender. This will be the first World Cup meeting between Colombia and Portugal.

Also in Group K, DR Congo will face Uzbekistan at 7:30 p.m. ET in Atlanta. Both teams are still in contention for a knockout spot, but require a win and favorable results in other matches. DR Congo needs a win, a Portugal loss, and a better goal differential than Portugal to advance. An Uzbekistan win could put them in contention for a third-place spot, though they would need a significant goal differential advantage. DR Congo is also seeking its first World Cup victory after drawing with Portugal and losing to Colombia.

Cristiano Ronaldo Nets Two Goals in First Half vs Uzbekistan 🤯 2026 FIFA World Cup™ Credit: foxsports.com

Argentina and Algeria Seek Final Group Stage Results

Argentina, having already secured first place in Group J, will play Jordan at 10 p.m. ET in Dallas. Jordan has been eliminated from the tournament. Lionel Scaloni may make changes to his squad, potentially resting key players like Lionel Messi, who is pursuing the Golden Boot award. This will be the first meeting between Jordan and Argentina in any competition.

In another Group J match, Austria and Algeria will compete for second place at 10 p.m. ET in Kansas City, Missouri. The winner of this match will advance to the Round of 32. A draw could leave both teams waiting to see if they qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. The team that finishes second will likely face Spain in the next round. This is only the second meeting between Algeria and Austria at the World Cup, with Austria winning their previous encounter 2-0 in 1982.

The matches on Saturday, June 27, will finalize the lineup for the Round of 32.