Everything You Need to Know About the 2026 World Cup

After securing yet another qualification, the doors of the 2026 FIFA World Cup open wide for Portugal, marking the Portugal National Team’s seventh consecutive appearance in the biggest competition on the global football calendar.

This upcoming tournament is not just another chapter in football history: it will be an unprecedented edition, with new formats, new protagonists, and a scale never seen before. For Portugal, it is the chance to once again prove itself among the world’s elite, backed by the unconditional support of its fans.
 

The Next World Cup: Dates and Venues

The opening match is set for June 11, 2026, at the legendary Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, a venue filled with unforgettable football memories. The grand final will be played on July 19, 2026, at the imposing MetLife Stadium in New York, one of the largest sports arenas in North America.

In total, 16 cities and 16 stadiums will host matches, including iconic venues such as the SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles), the Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara), and BMO Field (Toronto). The geographical and cultural diversity promises to make this edition a truly global celebration.
 

The New Format and Groups: Portugal in the Spotlight

The 2026 World Cup will be the first to feature 48 teams, divided into 12 groups of four. This expansion brings greater competitiveness and opens the door for historic debuts, including Cape Verde, Jordan, Uzbekistan, and Curaçao.

Portugal was drawn into Group K, where it will face three opponents:

   • Colombia, an experienced team with World Cup tradition.

   • Uzbekistan, making its debut in the competition with renewed ambition.

   • The playoff winner between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jamaica, or New Caledonia, promising competitiveness and surprise.

It is a balanced group, but one that offers good prospects for Portugal to advance to the Round of 32.
 

Portugal’s Group Stage Matches

Portugal’s Group K schedule is already set:

   • June 17, 6:00 PM (Lisbon time) – Portugal vs DR Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia, in Houston.

   • June 23, 6:00 PM (Lisbon time) – Portugal vs Uzbekistan, also in Houston.

   • June 27, 12:30 AM (Lisbon time) – Colombia vs Portugal, in Miami.

This schedule avoids long trips to Mexico or Canada, giving the team greater logistical stability during the opening phase.
 

The Other Groups at the 2026 World Cup

Beyond Portugal’s Group K, the other groups promise exciting clashes:

   • Group A: Mexico, South Africa, South Korea, and European playoff winner D.

   • Group B: Canada, European playoff winner A, Qatar, and Switzerland.

   • Group C: Brazil, Morocco, Haiti, and Scotland.

   • Group D: United States, Paraguay, Australia, and European playoff winner C.

   • Group E: Germany, Curaçao, Ivory Coast, and Ecuador.

   • Group F: Netherlands, Japan, and European playoff winner B.

   • Group G: Belgium, Egypt, Iran, and New Zealand.

   • Group H: Spain, Cape Verde, Saudi Arabia, and Uruguay.

   • Group I: France, Senegal, playoff 2, and Norway.

   • Group J: Argentina, Algeria, Austria, and Jordan.

   • Group L: England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama.
 

Portugal’s Possible Path

Portugal’s journey at the 2026 World Cup will depend on consistency in the group stage and the ability to overcome increasingly tough opponents in the knockout rounds. With world-class players and a generation accustomed to the biggest stages, Portugal has legitimate ambitions to go far.

If Portugal wins its group, it will face one of the best third-placed teams in the Round of 32, a scenario that could provide a theoretically easier matchup. If it finishes second, the challenge will be tougher: the team will meet the runner-up from Group L, which includes heavyweights like England, Croatia, Ghana, and Panama. Should Portugal advance as one of the best third-placed teams, it would face one of the group winners.

The support of fans will be crucial, both in the stadiums across North America and at home, where millions will follow every match with passion.
 

Supporting Portugal with Official Kits

As in previous editions, wearing the team’s colors is a way of sharing the World Cup spirit. At the Portugal Store, fans can find the new 2026 home jersey, official scarves, and a variety of lifestyle accessories such as caps, backpacks, and mugs — all designed to convey pride and emotion in every match.

Each item is crafted to strengthen the sense of belonging to a nation that breathes football.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 promises to be a memorable edition, both for its unprecedented scale and the excitement it will generate worldwide. For Portugal, it is another chance to showcase talent and ambition, with the unwavering support of its fans.

Explore the full collection now at the Portugal Store and secure your official kit before it sells out!