When have England been this fun at a World Cup? We react to it all: Kane, Bellingham, Tuchel. As for Croatia: Where was Modric?

For 45 minutes, this had the makings of another England worry festtwo leads surrendered, two soft goals conceded, the old ghosts stirring. Then Thomas Tuchel gave the team the right motivation at the half. England stopped being generous, and the game tilted in their favor for good. The 4-2 scoreline at Dallas Stadium undersells how one-sided the second half became. Harry Kane has a brace. Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford supplied the rest. Croatia hung around, then got buried. Here are my takeaways from England's World Cup opener win. 1. Harry Kane Is the Most Complete Striker on the Planet Two more goals, of course. A retaken penalty he buried without blinking, then a textbook finish off a Declan Rice delivery. A brace in a World Cup opener from a man who treats scoring like a chore he's contractually obligated to complete. The Bayern Munich numbers have stopped being numbers and started being satire: 36 Bundesliga goals this season a third straight Golden Boot, the most in Europe's top five leagues and 58 in all competitions. He is, right now, the most clinical finisher alive. But the finishing isn't even the best part. Watch where he operates. Kane spent long spells dropping into midfield, spraying passes, setting tempo, springing Bellingham into space. A No. 9 who is also your best No. 10. That's not a striker. That's a two for one deal that England simply cannot live without. 2. Getting Forward For England Was Absurdly Easy The xG told one story; the eye test told a louder one. England piled up 22 shots, 11 of them on target. The only reason this wasn't a rout was Croatia keeper Dominik Livakovi, who at one point produced a save-rebound-save scramble to deny midfielder Nico O'Reilly, then winger Anthony Gordon, then center back Ezri Konsa in the span of seconds. The width was relentless winger Noni Madueke constantly pushing on the right, and Gordon stretching on the left making the middle of the field worse for Croatia because that's where Jude Bellingham lives. Time and again he collected the ball, drove through the lines and arrived in the box, finishing the third himself and combining slickly with Rice, Kane and Elliot Anderson. When England clicks going forward, few teams on earth create chances this cleanly. This was a genuinely excellent attacking performance. 3. Croatia Won't Reach a Final Like in 2018 But They're Far From Done Let's be honest: the 2018 magic isn't walking back through that door. This Croatia squad won't grind its way to a World Cup final on penalties and sheer stubbornness like it did in Russia. The legs aren't quite there. But write them off at your peril. Luka Modri, 40 and playing his fifth World Cup, didn't have a vintage performance and gave up a penalty, but still moves around like he's 10 years younger. Around the veterans Ivan Perii, Mateo Kovai sits a genuinely exciting next wave. Como's Martin Baturina announced himself with a thunderbolt of an equalizer. Petar Sui is a complete box-to-box midfielder coming through the ranks. Josip Stanii is a Champions League regular at Leverkusen. The quality is still there, but Croatia's first test happened to be against one of the best five nations at the World Cup. Croatia conceded four and still looked like a team that won't be fun to draw, assuming they advance from this group. That blend of veteran savvy and youth should cause problems to the middle of the pack. 4. The One Thing That Should Keep Tuchel Up at Night Here's the catch on an otherwise glowing day: England fell asleep defensively. Twice in the first half they took the lead, and twice they switched off in midfield the Musa equalizer came straight from a snooze, Perii slipping behind the line and heading it back for the first-time finish through keeper Jordan Pickford's legs. There's a pattern here that predates this match: England get ahead, get comfortable, and invite pressure they never needed to. Against Croatia they simply had the firepower to outscore the problem. Against a France or a Spain in a knockout, they won't. The talent is overwhelming the bench alone coughed up Rashford's curler. Tuchel's job isn't adding more attack. It's convincing this team that a two-goal lead is a reason to step on a throat, not ease off it.

Congo DR produced another stunning result at the 2026 World Cup, as the African side held one of the pre-tournament favorites, Portugal, to a 1-1 draw in Houston on Wednesday.

U.S. World Cup Team Training Base (IRVINE, Calif.) Christian Pulisic emerged from the U.S. mens national teams pop-up training tent and jogged to the far side of the field. His teammates had already begun warming up ahead of Wednesdays practice, making this the third day in a row that the squad had to work out without him. Pulisic is participating in "modified training" and is "day-to-day" according to a U.S. Soccer spokesperson. The superstar forward left the Americans 4-1 World Cup opening victory vs. Paraguay last Friday in the first half after he was kicked in the back of his leg. He wore what appeared to be some kind of black compression sleeve around his left calf on Wednesday while he went through light passing drills with team trainers. The USA faces Australia on Friday in Seattle for its second group stage match (3 p.m. ET on FOX/FOX One). The nations are tied atop Group D with three points, but the U.S. has a slight advantage on goal differential. At the moment, its unclear if Pulisic will be available to play. His teammates, a few of whom have spoken with the media this week, are hopeful. U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino is expected to address the issue at his press conference on Thursday. However, its unlikely hell reveal any trade secrets and Pulisics status probably wont be public knowledge until lineups are released on Friday about an hour before kickoff. "Were really hoping that Christians gonna be back for the game," attacking midfielder Brenden Aaronson told a group of reporters before Wednesdays training session. "I dont really know whats going on in particular, but we know that hes gonna give us his all to get back into the team and be there for the game. So well see." Pulisic contributed to the USAs first two goals against Paraguay. He was dynamic and dangerous, showing the world that hes in top form. He spoke with reporters following the match and was asked about his injury. "Im really hoping that its nothing," he said matter of factly at the time. Since then, the U.S. has been cautious with him. "Weve still got a couple of days to see where hes at and, you know, thankfully weve got a lot of boys on the bench who are eager and ready to get involved in helping the team and [we have] a lot of quality," said fullback Antonee "Jedi" Robinson, who plays on the left side with Pulisic. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter started the second half of the last match when Pulisic needed to come out at halftime. What will Pochettino do against Australia if he cant play? There are several options depending on which way Pochettino wants to go, including Berhalter, Aaronson, Gio Reyna, Tim Weah or even Christian Roldan, who plays for the MLS club Seattle Sounders and will be anxious to get on the pitch in front of a home crowd. Pulisic, though, is irreplaceable. "Christian is a world-class player," Weah said earlier this week. "Christian, for me, is top five wingers in the world. He's one of my favorite players to watch. Being able to play alongside him for a long time has been amazing. "It's just the little things that he does. I mean, he showed it against Paraguay. His ability and what he's able to do on the ball is amazing for us, it helps the team, and for me, he's one of the best players I've had the opportunity to play with. I'm super proud of him, and hopefully hell be ready for our next game." Pulisic suffered an injury during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar while scoring the decisive goal in the final group stage match against Iran, which sent the Americans to the knockout round. Although he campaigned to play the second half, he went to the hospital instead to make sure he was okay. Pulisic is the face of the team and is highly motivated to help the United States make history at a home World Cup. He is the type of person who will be doing everything in his power to play on Friday. This isnt an elimination game, but the U.S. wants to finish first in its group to potentially have a more favorable path in the knockout stage. But dont be surprised if Pochettino plays it safe with his star the matchup vs. Australia is expected to be physical and intense. In fact, the last time the teams met in October, Pulisic was forced off in the first half following a hard challenge. "Its a long tournament," Robinson said. "If we don't have him back for the game, then you know were going to make sure we have him back for the rest of the way because were going to need him as were going to need everyone. Hopefully we have everyone available."

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Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbapp two of the biggest stars in the world combined for five goals on the same day in Match Day 6 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With his first career World Cup hat trick, Messi tied Miroslav Klose for the most goals in men's World Cup history with 16 while also setting the record as the oldest player (38) to record a hat trick, passing Cristiano Ronaldo. Mbapp recorded a brace, moving him up to 14 goals all time at the World Cup, tied for the fourth-most ever. Both of these stars will look to break the record this tournament. With that being said, here are the players with the most goals in World Cup history. Let's take a look. T-1. Miroslave Klose (Germany): 16 Playing in four straight World Cups from 2002 to 2014, Klose scored in all four editions of the World Cups he participated in and capped it off by lifting the trophy in 2016. His 71 goals for Germany are also the most in the national team's history. T-1. Lionel Messi (Argentina): 16 Messi has played in every World Cup since 2006 and scored in all but one (2010). He scored seven goals at the 2022 World Cup and is already at three in 2026. Messi is also Argentina's all-time leading goalscorer with 120 to his name and additionally holds the record for most World Cup matches played with 27. 3. Ronaldo (Brazil): 15 Many consider Ronaldo the greatest striker of all-time, as he scored more than 350 goals in club play and 62 for Brazil. Fifteen of those international goals came in the World Cup, en route to winning the Golden Ball in the 1998 tournament and the Golden Boot in 2002. T-4. Kylian Mbapp (France): 14 Mbapp has scored an outrageous 14 goals in just 15 World Cup matches in his career. As a 19-year-old in 2018, he scored four goals for France, helping it win its first title since 1998, and then he scored eight goals in 2022 most notably netting the second hat trick in a World Cup final ever against Argentina. T-4. Gerd Mller (Germany): 14 Arguably the greatest Bundesliga goalscorer of all-time, Mller scored an astonishing 10 goals in 1970 and then another four in 1974 in Germany's title run. He was Germany's all-time leading goalscorer with 68 goals until Klose passed him. 6. Just Fontaine (France): 13 Fontaine holds one of the most incredible stats in World Cup history, as all 13 of his goals came in the 1958 edition of the tournament the record for most goals scored by a player at a single World Cup. It's been 68 years since he set that record, and no one has come close to breaking it. 7. Pel (Brazil): 12 The great Pel scored in all four of his World Cup appearances from 1958 to 1970 and won three titles with Brazil in that span. Most notably, he scored in the final in 1958, as the youngest to ever do so at just 17 years old. T-8. Jrgen Klinsmann (Germany): 11 Klinsmann scored in three straight World Cups from 1990 to 1998, helping Germany lift the trophy in 1990. His 47 goals for Germany overall are tied for the fourth-most in national team history. T-8. Sndor Kocsis (Hungary): 11 Kocsis's 11 goals all came in 1954, when his Hungary side scored 27 in five matches before falling in the final to West Germany. He's the only player to hit double digits in one World Cup besides Fontaine and Mller. Seven players have exactly 10 goals at the World Cup: Helmut Rahn (Germany), Gary Lineker (England), Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina), Tefilo Cubillas (Peru), Thomas Mller (Germany) and Grzegorz Lato (Poland).

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"Bear Bets" are real wagers that Chris "The Bear" Fallica is actually making. The superstars were super on Tuesday. Kylian Mbapp scored twice, Erling Haaland did the same, and Lionel Messi topped them both with his first World Cup hat trick. Welcome to the World Cup. Moving forward, here's what I'm eyeing for Match Day 8. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. World Cup Best Bets Thursday, June 18 Czechia vs. South Africa South Africa was very poor in the opener against Mexico, while Czechia had a lead over South Korea, then oddly subbed off its best scorer, Patrick Schick, and its most creative player, Pavel Sulc. Of course, it resulted in South Korea scoring twice and a 2-1 defeat. Loser is eliminated here, and I do expect Czechia to win. It at least offered something in the opener. Ill bet that Sulc is involved in a goal. Switzerland vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina The Swiss did everything but finish literally and figuratively against Qatar. If they continue to get a high number of the high-quality shots they did in the opener, eventually theyll get some good fortune. Bosnia was pretty meh in the opener and managed a point against Canada, but looked very vulnerable when Canada brought on Cyle Larin. Breel Embolo, Dan Ndoye and Switzerland will ask a lot of questions. Canada vs. Qatar Id expect Jesse Marsch to include Cyle Larin in the starting XI, as Canada was a completely different team once he came on. Qatar was extremely lucky to get a point vs. Switzerland, and if it isn't any better here, it will take a sound beating. Mexico vs. South Korea Both teams won their openers, and with a point, are certainly through with one more. I'm kind of apathetic here as to what to expect. Was Mexicos performance amplified because South Africa is bad? I could see this 1-0 either way or even 0-0. I won't go crazy here.

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The public betting masses had a strong appetite to wager on the USA in its opening World Cup match vs. Paraguay. A resounding 4-1 victory has run that appetite to ravenous not just on USA vs. Australia odds, but on the American side to make an unprecedented run. "That was a really good performance in the first game," Caesars Sports head of soccer trading Mark Bickerdike said. "So weve seen an increase in business, particularly on the USA to win the tournament and Folarin Balogun to win the Golden Boot." Bickerdike helps dive into odds on Fridays U.S.-Australia match and World Cup futures odds. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. One-Way Traffic The three-way moneyline for USA-Australia odds has rubber-banded around a bit. Caesars opened at USA -133/Canada +350/Draw +270, but that was before Fridays U.S.-Paraguay match. Following the Americans impressive win, the U.S. stretched to a -197 favorite, with Canada +475 and Draw +320. Then the Canadians, as +400 underdogs, upset Turkey 2-0 on Saturday night, leading oddsmakers to adjust once again. As of Wednesday afternoon, 48 hours before a 3 p.m. ET kickoff on FOX, its USA -176/Australia +425/Draw +305. But bettors are speaking loud and clear in favor of the Red, White & Blue. "There was a lot of support on the USA in the first game, and thats continued. Weve definitely seen a spike in wagers on the U.S. Its one-way traffic very much leaning toward the USA," Bickerdike said. In addition, customers are betting Over 2.5 total goals, and in player props, theyre looking for Balogun and Christian Pulisic to score. All that has Caesars and surely every other U.S. sportsbook in an intriguing position. The books generally root for Draw in these matches, but that might slow USA betting momentum, which is not what bookmakers want. "For this one-off event, a Draw is important," he said. "But a low-scoring USA win wouldnt be the worst result. Lets keep this excitement around the World Cup going. "What wed be hoping to avoid is a comprehensive USA win, with Pulisic and Balogun scoring. That would not be good." Translation: Caesars doesnt want a repeat of USA-Paraguay. Rather, a USMNT 1-0 or 2-0 victory would be just fine. Looking Into The Futures A week ago, before the U.S. rolled over Paraguay, Caesars Sports had the American side at +5000 in World Cup futures odds. Now, with a big win under its belt, the USMNT has improved to +4000, the co-10th choice along with Belgium and Mexico. Granted, thats still a long way from those at the top of the board France as the +400 favorite, followed by Spain at +500, and Portugal and England at +750. But tickets and money are flowing fast on the U.S. over the past few days. "In the last week, its changed considerably. Weve see a real influx on Portugal, and the U.S. after that," Bickerdike said. "Portugal is No. 1, and the USA is now our second-most-wagered team. Its really tight between the USA, France and Spain." And the USMNT is Caesars largest liability among legitimate championship prospects. "Haiti is still our biggest losing side. But after that, its the USA," Bickerdike said. The Haiti liability is purely a result of massive long-shot odds, currently +250000 (2500/1). At that price, it takes only a handful of tickets to create substantial liability.

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup is widely believed to be Cristiano Ronaldo's last, but what if it wasn't? An ex-Manchester United teammate thinks otherwise, to the degree that it would not surprise him if Ronaldo was around well beyond not just 2026's World Cup, but beyond. An air of invincibility Former England striker Teddy Sheringham has suggested that Ronaldo possesses the physical tools and mental drive to continue playing until he reaches 50 years old. Despite the intense demands of professional football, Sheringham believes the Al-Nassr forwards meticulous approach to his fitness sets him apart from every other player in the history of the game. Speaking to BOYLE Sports, who offer the latestWorld Cup odds, Sheringham said: "Could Cristiano Ronaldo play into his 50s at this rate? It wouldnt surprise me when you look at his body at 41. Hes still as fit as a fiddle. Hes had his own training team for the past 15 years to keep him in tip top shape and as long as he still has the desire then he will keep going but its tough when you get to that age, getting out of bed every day to go and do your training." The secret to longevity Ronaldos dedication to his craft is legendary, featuring restrictive diets, cryotherapy, and a relentless training schedule that has allowed him to remain prolific well into his 40s. While most players retire in their mid-30s, the five-time Ballon d'Or winner is currently gearing up to lead his country as Sheringham continued: "Im sure he still loves what hes doing and hes playing in a league thats obviously not as strong as other competitions around the world, but if youre still scoring goals and people still want you to play, then why not keep going. He has an air of invincibility around him, and hes got the body as well and the fitness, so I think weve got plenty of years of Ronaldo to come yet." No European comeback on the cards Despite his continued success in front of goal, Sheringham does not expect the former Real Madrid and Juventus star to return to the elite leagues of Europe. Having conquered the Champions League and domestic titles in England, Spain, and Italy, the chapter on his European career appears to be permanently closed, even with the return of a familiar face in Jose Mourinho as Los Blancos manager. "Can I see Cristiano Ronaldo coming back to Real Madrid to play under Jose Mourinho again? Definitely not. He will not be coming back to Europe," Sheringham insisted. While fans might dream of a romantic return to one of his former clubs, the financial and tactical realities of modern European football make such a move highly unlikely at this stage of his career. A potential MLS swan song If Ronaldo does decide to leave the Middle East before he finally hangs up his boots, Sheringham predicts that a move to the United States could be the next logical step. Joining Lionel Messi in MLS would be a massive boost for the sport in North America, and Sheringham believes the Portuguese legend would have no trouble dominating the league. Sheringham added: "He might go to America though if he wants to experience something else. You could see that, and hed certainly light MLS up like no one else can. Maybe it will all come down to what he wants to do once he finally does retire." For now, the focus remains on the Saudi Pro League and World Cup glory, as Portugal begins their 2026 tournament on Wednesday against DR Congo in Group K. Even beyond this current chapter, the prospect of Ronaldo playing into his 50s is no longer being dismissed as impossible.

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Uzbekistan and Colombia are set to face off in their opening Group K match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at the Mexico City Stadium on FS1. This match represents a historic milestone for Uzbekistan, as it became the first Central Asian nation to qualify for a FIFA World Cup. Uzbekistan reached the tournament after decades of near misses in AFC competition, having remained a consistent contender in Asian qualifying since joining FIFA in the 1990s. It qualified for the 2026 World Cup by finishing among the top two teams in the third round of AFC qualifying, ending two points behind Iran. They won six of their ten matches, recording three draws and just one loss. Meanwhile, Colombia returns to the global stage after missing out on the World Cup in 2022. The nation has been one of South Americas most consistent sides, qualifying for six World Cups since 1990 and reaching the quarterfinals in 2014, its best finish at the tournament. Colombia also won the 2001 Copa Amrica and has remained a regular contender in the competition, finishing third in 2021 and reaching the final in 2024. Los Cafeteros secured its place at the 2026 World Cup by finishing inside the top six of the CONMEBOL standings, earning direct qualification under the expanded format. They will return to World Cup action after an impressive qualifying campaign, finishing third in the table behind Argentina and Ecuador, and ahead of traditional powers like Uruguay and Brazil. Lets check out the odds for the Uzbekistan vs. Colombia Verde Group K matchup at FanDuel Sportsbook as of June 17. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Uzbekistan vs. Colombia Odds Moneyline Spread Over/Under Total Odds: 2.5 Uzbekistan vs. Colombia Prediction, Pick From FOX Sports Wagering Analyst, Chris The Bear Fallica: How to Watch Uzbekistan vs. Colombia Let's take a look at some other bets for the match. Anytime Goalscorer Props Tie No Bet Both Teams to Score

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Back in the heyday of their greatest moments, at thetop of their game, South Americans birthed a saying in Spanish when talking about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. But, for the sake of brevity, I will translate it. Ronaldo may be the best playerin the world, but Messi? He's from another planet. On Tuesday evening, therefore, under the Kansas City sky a city famously coined as the capital of American ftbol Lionel Messi, in a record-breaking sixth World Cup, reminded America and the world of his extraterrestrial qualities, scoring his first hat trick of his World Cup career during Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria. The three goals placed him at joint top of the list for most men's World Cup goals (16) alongside Germany's Miroslav Klose. A record he will surely break when La Albiceleste face Austria next Monday in Dallas. What's more, Messi at 38 years and 357 days old became the oldest men's player to score a hat trick at a World Cup, passing Ronaldo by five years. He now also holds the record for the youngest and oldest Argentina goalscorer (18 years old in 2006 and 38 now) and has scored in five consecutive World Cup matches. If he scores again, he will have a new record. Want another one? For Argentina, he is the first man from the national team to score in five straight World Cups, surpassing Hernn Crespo and Guillermo Stbile. It was his 11th overall treble for his national team. The hat trick itself was quintessential Messi. The opener came in the 17th minute, and it was a golden, left-footed rocket that was too much for Luca Zidane the second son of Zinedine, who was there and could only marvel at what Leo had just done to his second-born. The second, in the 60th minute, was just an example of his quick instincts after the aforementioned Zidane spilled the attempt from Alexis Mac Allister and Messi was first to react. I want to remind everyone that he's turning 39 in eight days, and his instincts remain intact. Then came the cherry on top in the 76th minute, where Messi took the ball from outside the box, and it was almost as if Algeria had accepted its destiny. Go ahead, Leo. It doesn't matter what we do, you're still going to score. And he did, as the Argentina captain looked up and, without hesitation, placed it on the bottom right of Zidane's goal. The stadium erupted, and three minutes later, the world stood up to marvel and honor greatness as Messi was subbed off for Nico Paz. Some things, thought Lionel Scaloni, are better off with an earlier ending in order to fully appreciate them. Bigger obstacles will surely come in the tournament for Argentina and Messi, who knows the most important part of this particular World Cup is to take care of his physical condition. And as time waits for no man, we can only reflect on the fact that this indeed is his last tournament. But for tonight, in Argentina's openingvictory, as it looks to defend its glorious title, we thanked the ftbol gods once again that Lionel Messi has not left us. He is very much here. Luis Miguel Echegaray is the author of "Messi Mania," his debut book about the World Cup champion, his incredible career and how his arrival to Inter Miami in 2023 impacted theU.S. sports landscape.

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Uzbekistan and Colombia meet in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 10:00 p.m. ET from Mexico City Stadium, Mexico City. Uzbekistan, ranked 50th by FIFA, are making their World Cup debut. Colombia enter Group K ranked 14th by FIFA, appearing at their seventh World Cup, with their best finish a quarterfinal run in 2014. Below, we'll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game. How to Watch Uzbekistan vs. Colombia g Uzbekistan vs. Colombia Odds Uzbekistan World Cup Schedule Colombia World Cup Schedule Learn more about Uzbekistan vs. Colombia and check the full FIFA World Cup schedule on FOX Sports! Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.

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Wednesday marks the final day of the opening games at the 2026 FIFA Mens World Cup and while it will be a tough act to follow Tuesday's extravaganza, there will be plenty of star players who'll do their best. Led by Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal hopes its game against the DR Congo will be the first step of a long run. England vs. Croatia is one of the most anticipated group stage games after deep runs in major tournaments over the past decade. Ghana and Panama will meet in the third game as the Black Stars could once again surprise in this tournament. The final opening game will see a Colombian team looking to get back on track when it takes on an Uzbekistan team that will likely be full of energy, coached by an Italian legend. Portugal vs. DR Congo: How to Watch When: Wednesday, June 17, 1 p.m. ETWhere: HoustonTV: FOXStream: Watch three days free on FOX One Group K gets underway on Wednesday with Portugal opening its much-anticipated World Cup campaign against DR Congo in Houston. Ranked fifth in the latest FIFA World Rankings, much of the teams spotlight is on Cristiano Ronaldo, who will be playing in his sixth World Cup. At 41, Ronaldo is set to become the second-oldest outfield player in World Cup history behind only Cameroon legend Roger Milla, who played in the 1994 tournament in the United States at the age of 42. For Ronaldo, this is likely his last opportunity to win the tournament. His international career has been defined by leading Portugal to the 2016 European Championship. At the World Cup, the furthest he reached was the semifinals in 2006. In the four tournaments since, Portugal has had two group stage exits, one elimination from the Round of 16, and one quarterfinal exit. But Portugal is showing signs of returning to the worlds elite under head coach Roberto Martinez, who was hired in 2023. At Euro 2024, Portugal won its group and then advanced to the quarterfinals before being stopped by France on penalties. Portugal won the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League with a win over Germany in the semifinal, followed by a win over Spain on penalties in the final. Finally, the Portuguese won their World Cup qualifying group with ease, outscoring opponents 20-7 over six games. Ronaldo has shown few signs of aging in recent years. Under Martinez, Ronaldo has made 26 appearances and scored 22 goals for Portugal, with many goals coming in important games. Of course, Ronaldo has a strong supporting case that includes top playmaker Bruno Fernandes, 31, of Manchester United and Real Madrid-bound midfielder Bernardo Silva, 31, who will be playing in his third World Cup. Like Ronaldo, Silva and Fernandes might also be playing in their final World Cup. After this tournament, Portugal might see a massive change of the guard. Ranked No. 46 in the FIFA World Rankings, the DR Congo returns to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when the country was called Zaire. While it was a significant accomplishment to become the first Sub-Saharan African team to qualify for the World Cup, Zaire was outscored by its opponents 14-0. DR Congo qualified for the World Cup after finishing second in CAF Group B behind Senegal. That put the Leopards into the intercontinental playoff, where they prevailed 1-0 over Jamaica. Most of the DR Congo consists of players who currently play for European clubs. Nine players played in Europes traditional top five leagues in the 2025-26 season. The teams attack is led by Yoane Wissa, who joined Newcastle United in 2025 for a 50 million transfer fee. Real Betis striker Cdric Bakambu, 35, has a lot of experience but has scored just six league goals in his last three seasons. But another area of strength for DR Congo is its two wingbacks, West Ham's Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Lens' Arthur Masuaku, who are both effective in getting into the attack. DR Congo has several effective players, but Portugal is the heavy favorite. Portugal vs. DR Congo: Player To Watch Cristiano Ronaldo: One of the greatest players of all time will likely get his final World Cup underway in this game. At 41 years old and with 228 caps under his belt, Ronaldo is not simply a nostalgic act in this tournament. He is still a remarkably effective striker who has been playing terrific soccer for Portugal since Martinez came on board in 2023. But at this tournament and in this game, expect Ronaldo to play with intensity and desperation, knowing that time is running out. England vs. Croatia: How to watch When: Wednesday, June 17, 4 p.m. ETWhere: DallasTV: FOXStream: Watch three days free on FOX One In one of the marquee group stage games of this World Cup, England takes on Croatia on Wednesday afternoon at Dallas Stadium in a matchup of teams who are expected to advance out of Group L. Ranked 4th in the latest FIFA Rankings, England holds realistic ambitions of winning the tournament. The Three Lions were stellar in World Cup qualifying, winning all eight games and outscoring opponents 22-0. At Euro 2024, England advanced to the final, where it narrowly lost to Spain 2-1 in a hard-fought matchup against one of the world's elite teams. Head coach Thomas Tuchel has done an impressive job with England since taking over at the start of January 2025, overseeing the perfect World Cup qualifying effort. He is just the third foreign manager of England, and his contract has already been extended through Euro 2028. The Three Lions are led by captain and top scorer Harry Kane, who is widely expected to contend for his second World Cup Golden Boot after winning the award in 2018. Kanes scoring accomplishments, mostly with Tottenham and his current club Bayern Munich, place him among the best players of his generation. Kane has won the Premier League Golden Boot three times. He has been the Bundesliga top scorer three times, including this recent season with Bayern Munich. He won the European Golden Shoe twice as the continent's most prolific scorer, including 2025-26. Beyond Kane, England has a very talented team that should go far. Real Madrids Jude Bellingham and Aston Villas Morgan Rogers are the teams playmakers. Arsenals Declan Rice is one of the top holding midfielders at this World Cup. John Stones and Ezri Konsa are a very capable central defensive pairing. On top of it all, England will be extremely well-supported in each of its games at this World Cup. Managed by Zlatko Dali, Croatia will be a much tougher test for England than anyone the Three Lions faced in World Cup qualifying. Croatia qualified for this World Cup also through a strong, unbeaten campaign with seven wins and a draw over eight games. The strength of this Croatian team is its experience and its tactical organization under Dali. Luka Modri, 40, is one of the many aging superstars of this tournament along with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Like those players, he is not simply along for the ride and he is expected to be a focal point of Croatias game plan. Croatias roster is a blend of youth and experience. On the older side, along with Modri, there are Ivan Perii, 37, Mateo Kovai, 32, Andrej Kramari, 34, and Mario Pasali, 31, who have all been part of this highly accomplished generation of Croatian players. This tournament will also see Croatia turn to promising younger players such as Inter Milan midfielder Petar Sui and Como attacking midfielder Martin Baturina. MLS fans might also be familiar with two Croatian players who currently play in the league Petar Musa of FC Dallas and Marco Paali of Orlando City. Croatia is the underdog in this game, but this game will be a tactical battle. If England plays an up-tempo game, it will likely prevail through individual talent. If Croatias midfield can slow the game down, it might frustrate England and be a recipe for an upset. England vs. Croatia: Player To Watch Harry Kane: There are a lot of stars to watch in this game, but Kane is an elite forward who, at age 32, is in the best shape and form of his career. England will desperately want to make a deep run and contend for this World Cup. Those ambitions are completely tied to Kane, as there is a big drop-off in scoring options after him. Momentum is critical for all strikers and scoring against Croatia will be important not just for winning this game, but in setting the table as a contender this summer. Ghana vs. Panama: How to Watch When: Wednesday, June 17, 7 p.m. ETWhere: TorontoTV: FS1Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One With Group L heavyweights Croatia and England playing earlier in the day, the groups other two teams, in Ghana and Panama, get underway on Wednesday night at Toronto Stadium in an important game that offers a path of advancement to the winner. With eight of 12 third-place teams qualifying for the knockouts, a win for either team might be enough. For both Panama and Ghana, this game is the best opportunity to secure three points. Since 2020, Panama has been coached by Thomas Christiansen from Denmark. Over those six years, Christiansen has built Panama into one of the stronger teams in CONCACAF. At the 2024 Copa Amrica, he led his team out of the group stage after a win over the United States. At the 2025 Nations League, Panama again defeated the United States in an important game. This time in the semifinal, to advance to the final, where it was beaten by Mexico. With Mexico, Canada, and the United States qualifying automatically, CONCACAF World Cup qualifying was severely diluted. But Panama took full advantage in going unbeaten over 10 games with a 7-3-0 record. Ranked No. 34 in the FIFA World Rankings, Panama does not have any players currently with a club in Europes traditional top leagues. The biggest concern for Panama is simply age. With an average age of 30.4 years, Panama is the oldest team in the tournament. Alberto Quintero, 38, has 140 caps for the national team and captain Anbal Godoy, 36, has been the teams midfield anchor. Jos Fajardo, 32, and Cecillo Waterman, 35, have been the team's best attackers over the past decade. Ranked 73rd in the FIFA Rankings, Ghana arrives at this tournament on the heels of making a coaching change on April 13. Now leading the team is Carlos Queiroz, who will be coaching in his sixth World Cup. He previously coached Portugal in 2010 and Iran in 2014, 2018, and 2022. This is also the ninth national team he has coached. Ghana brings to this tournament very dangerous wingers and attacking midfielders. Antoine Semenyo, who joined Manchester City from AFC Bournemouth in January for a reported transfer fee of 64 million is the team's most talented player. Attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus, 25, scored two goals at the 2022 World Cup and has played the last three seasons in the Premier League with West Ham and now Tottenham. Atltico Bilbao forward Iaki Williams is an established goal-scoring threat. While Ghana has one of the lowest rankings in the FIFA World Rankings at No. 73, the team could be much better than that if the players respond quickly to Queiroz. A win over Panama would hardly be a surprise. Antoine Semenyo: Semenyo has been a revelation in the Premier League this season. The London-born winger scored 10 goals in 20 appearances for Bournemouth before moving to Manchester City in January. England would love to have Semenyo in the fold for this tournament, but he made his debut for Ghana in 2022. He has become one of the best wingers in the world this season and will be the driving force behind any success Ghana has this summer. Uzbekistan vs. Colombia: How to Watch When: Wednesday, June 17, 10 p.m. ETWhere: Mexico CityTV: FS1Stream: Watch three days free on FOX One The final teams to get underway at the 2026 World Cup are Colombia and Uzbekistan, who will play each other on Wednesday night at Mexico City Stadium in Group K action. Uzbekistan has performed well in Asian tournaments, but this will be the teams World Cup debut. The White Wolves have qualified for every AFC Asian Cup since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, with their best tournament coming in a run to the semifinals in 2011. Ranked 50th in the FIFA Rankings, Uzbekistan is the underdog in every game in Group K. Most of the players play domestically, while Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov, 22, is the only Uzbek player to play in the top European leagues and is one of Asias best young players. Abbosbek Fayzullaev, 22, is another promising young Uzbek player who features as a winger for stanbul Baakehir in Turkey's Sper Lig. Also on stanbul Baakehir is team captain Eldor Shomurodov, 30, who is the country's all-time leading scorer with 44 goals from 92 caps. In Uzbekistans final pre-tournament friendly, Uzbekistan lost a tight game against the Netherlands. Uzbekistan equalized the game in second-half stoppage time, only to see the Netherlands find a winner from the penalty spot minutes later. Uzbekistan is managed by Italys Fabio Cannavaro, who was one of the best central defenders of all time where he won the 2006 World Cup and was awarded the Ballon d'Or that year. This will be his first time managing a World Cup team. Ranked No. 13 in the world, Colombia is the clear favorite in this game. Los Cafeteros are well established on the international stage and will be making their seventh World Cup appearance. Its best appearance came in 2014 with a run to the quarterfinals in Brazil. Its worst World Cup came in 1994 in the United States, when Colombia was heavily favored but suffered losses to Romania and the United States. The aftermath of that tournament was the darkest moment in team history when Andrs Escobar, who scored an own goal in the loss to the United States, was murdered in Medelln. Colombia failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after a stunning sixth-place finish in CONMEBOLs single-table qualification format. In the past cycle, Colombia has been attempting to get back on track, although the team is still very inconsistent. The 2024 Copa Amrica was positive as Los Cafeteros advanced to the final before falling to Argentina in extra time. In 2026 World Cup qualifying, Colombia picked up impressive wins at home over Brazil and Argentina and then left Buenos Aires with a 1-1 draw against defending World Cup champs. But at one point, Colombia also went winless in six straight games, including a three-game losing streak. In March, Colombia played two friendlies in the United States but lost both times, first a 2-1 loss to Croatia, followed by a 3-1 loss to France in Florida. It was a pair of results that gave pause to Colombias ability to compete against top European teams. Bayern Munich winger Luis Daz is the teams best offensive player, while captain James Rodriguez, 34, remains a wild card. Rodriguez is one of the best players of all time for the Colombian national team, including winning the World Cup Golden Boot in 2014. But his club career in recent years has been very underwhelming, and it is hard to know what to expect. Colombia is the favorite in this game but is prone to prolonged slumps. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan has nothing to lose and should be full of energy under Cannavaro. Uzbekistan vs. Colombia: Player to Watch Luis Daz: The Bayern Munich winger is the most talented player on either roster and is one of the worlds elite players at his position. He is a complete winger with his speed, dribbling skills, and defensive ability. He is coming off a 2025-26 season where he scored 26 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga champions. He remains critical to Colombias ambitions of making a run in the knockout stages.

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Ghana will face Panama on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at Toronto Stadium on FS1. This match is the opening fixture for both teams in Group L of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Ghana is returning to the World Cup stage for its fifth time in the last six tournaments. Ghana qualified by winning CAF Group I, and come into the tournament off a 2-0 loss to Mexico and 1-1 draw against Wales in two recent friendlies. Meanwhile, Panama qualified by finishing inside CONCACAFs automatic-qualification places during the expanded North American cycle. This is only the second World Cup appearance for Panama, with the other being back in 2018 when it failed to get out of the group stage. Los Canaleros enter the tournament off a 4-2 win over the Dominican Republic and a 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina in its recent friendlies. Lets check out the odds for the Ghana vs. Panama match at FanDuel Sportsbook as of June 17. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Ghana vs. Panama Odds Moneyline Spread Over/Under Total Odds: 2.5 Ghana vs. Panama Prediction, Pick From FOX Sports Wagering Analyst, Chris The Bear Fallica: How to Watch Ghana vs. Panama Let's take a look at some other bets for the match. Anytime Goalscorer Props: Tie No Bet: Both Teams to Score:

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In a game that featured plenty of end-to-end action and a contrast of playing styles, Austria defeated Jordan 3-1 to move to the top of Group J alongside Argentina. Jordan played quick and direct from the start, and it clearly was effective against Austria. Ultimately, Austria was able to gain control late through its substitutes. For the Austrians, it marked a triumphant return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence. Here are my four takeaways from the game: 1. A Clash Of Styles What made this game entertaining from the opening whistle was that it was a clash of different styles. Jordan manager Jamal Sellami selected a roster with a lot of pace with a game plan: sit back, wait for turnovers, and attack very directly in transition. Jordan was not interested in completing a lot of passes in possession. Instead, its possessions were immediately towards goal. Meanwhile, the Austrian national team has been one of Europes most improved teams over the last four years and that is completely due to head coach Ralf Rangnick, who is arguably the most influential German manager of his generation. It is his counter-pressing (or Gegenpressing) style which influenced Thomas Tuchel, Jrgen Klopp, and Julian Nagelsmann. Rangnicks counter-pressing system is oriented around whenever his team loses possession, his players immediately and aggressively move to regain the ball as opposed to retreating into a defensive formation. The goal is to win the ball high up the pitch while the opposing team is not set. This then creates openings. This clash of styles created a wild first half where Austria had a 65-34% edge in possession, but Jordan had the edge in shots, 8-6. In the second half, that continued as Jordan was as direct as possible while Austria lived on the edge in not getting into defensive shape when it lost possession. 2. Tactics Produced Goals These different tactics led to goals that accurately reflect the styles of the teams. Austria struck first with a goal that took a lot of quality. Frustrated by Jordans pressing, Austria began playing with one touches and combination plays through the midfield. In the 20th minute, Xaver Schlager received the ball in the attacking third and played it to Romano Schmid, who only had a brief window to shoot but hit a brilliant shot through the defense and into the top of the net for a 1-0 lead. In the second half, Jordan equalized by forcing an Austrian turnover and then rushing into a direct counterattack right at the goal. Once again, Olwan was the driving force behind the chance, and he was able to beat Austrian goalkeeper Alexander Schlager (no relation to midfielder Xaver Schlager) with a right-footed shot. Ultimately, Austria was able to move ahead through a set piece and then a penalty that was helped by the substitutes. 3. Arnautovic Was A Difference-Maker Marko Arnautovi remains undisputed leader of Austrias attack at age 37. In a World Cup full of aging stars, Arnautovi is the national teams all-time leader in caps and goals. With Austria having been a non-factor on the international scene for most of the past three decades, this was Arnautovis World Cup debut. Known for his powerful style, he is still the leader of Austrias attack and in 2025, he scored eight goals in nine appearances for Austria. Arnautovi did not start this game because of a slight knee injury, but with Jordan playing effective soccer in the first half, Rangnick brought Arnautovi into the game to start the second half. The Vienna native made the most of his World Cup debut. In the 75th minute, he appeared to have scored a goal to put Austria up, but VAR ruled it off for a very close handball call. Then almost immediately afterward, Arnautovi made the play that forced an own-goal from Jordan's central defender Yazan Abu Al-Arab. Then in stoppage time, Arnautovi was part of a play that resulted in a Jordanian handball in the box for a penalty. Arnautovi then stepped up for his 48th international goal in his 134th cap. With an average age of 28.6, Austria is one of the oldest teams at this World Cup. With players like Arnautovi, the veteran experience certainly helped. 4. Olwan And Schlager impressed Olwan was everywhere for Jordan in this game. He had four shots, he had successful dribbles, and ultimately, he had the goal. The 26-year-old winger currently plays for Al-Sailiya in Qatar, and he has been important for Jordan with 27 goals from 58 games. In this game, Olwan lost the ball a few times as he immediately went to the goal whenever he received it but at other times, he was simply explosive and impossible to contain. For Austria, there were several good performances, but goalkeeper Alexander Schlager was particularly impressive in the first half as he made several big saves when Jordan was pressing hard. Ultimately, that was a major reason why they won. 4 . Looking ahead For all the teams in this group, there is the Messi factor. Earlier in the day, Argentina cruised past Algeria 3-0 and set the tone that Argentina is going to be very difficult to stop in Group J and that goal differential is going to be important. Austria now has three very valuable points before they have to face Argentina in the next game. That will then set up a more manageable group stage finale against Algeria. For Jordan, this was a tough loss as it seemed like a result was within reach after its equalizer. The team played well and its effort was admirable. To advance, Jordan must defeat Algeria in its next game. Needing a win over Argentina in the group stage finale is not a good place to be.

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The 2026 FIFA World Cup closes out Match Day 1 on Wednesday with four games across the United States, Canada and Mexico. England opens its tournament against familiar foe Croatia in Dallas, while Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo takes the field for what could be his final World Cup against Congo DR in Houston. Colombia and Uzbekistan round out a full night of action in Mexico City. Every match airs on FOX or FS1 and streams live on FOX One. Here's everything you need to know about today's World Cup schedule, including game times, TV channels and where to watch. World Cup Schedule for Wednesday, June 17 Portugal vs. Congo DR Player to watch - Cristiano Ronaldo: One of the greatest players of all time will likely get his final World Cup underway in this game. At 41 years old and with 228 caps under his belt, Ronaldo is not simply a nostalgic act in this tournament. He is still a remarkably effective striker who has been playing terrific soccer for Portugal since Martinez came on board in 2023. But at this tournament and in this game, expect Ronaldo to play with intensity and desperation, knowing that time is running out. England vs. Croatia Player to watch - Harry Kane: There are a lot of stars to watch in this game, but Kane is an elite forward who, at age 32, is in the best shape and form of his career. England will desperately want to make a deep run and contend for this World Cup. Those ambitions are completely tied to Kane, as there is a big drop-off in scoring options after him. Momentum is critical for all strikers and scoring against Croatia will be important not just for winning this game, but in setting the table as a contender this summer. Ghana vs. Panama Player to watch - Antoine Semenyo: Semenyo has been a revelation in the Premier League this season. The London-born winger scored 10 goals in 20 appearances for Bournemouth before moving to Manchester City in January. England would love to have Semenyo in the fold for this tournament, but he made his debut for Ghana in 2022. He has become one of the best wingers in the world this season and will be the driving force behind any success Ghana has this summer. Uzbekistan vs. Colombia Player to watch - Luis Daz: The Bayern Munich winger is the most talented player on either roster and is one of the worlds elite players at his position. He is a complete winger with his speed, dribbling skills, and defensive ability. He is coming off a 2025-26 season where he scored 26 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions for the Bundesliga champions. He remains critical to Colombias ambitions of making a run in the knockout stages. How to Watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup All World Cup matches air in English on FOX and FS1 in the United States, with every game streaming live and on demand on FOX One.

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Ghana and Panama meet in their 2026 FIFA World Cup opener on Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. ET from Toronto Stadium. Ghana, ranked 73rd by FIFA, are appearing at their fifth World Cup, with their best finish a quarterfinal run in 2010. Panama enter Group L ranked 34th by FIFA, returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2018, when they were eliminated in the group stage. Below, we'll give you all the details you need to know about how to watch this game. How to Watch Ghana vs. Panama Ghana vs. Panama Odds Ghana World Cup Schedule Panama World Cup Schedule Learn more about Ghana vs. Panama and check the full FIFA World Cup schedule on FOX Sports! Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily.

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England will face Croatia in a marquee Group L opening match in the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 17, 2026, at Dallas Stadium on FOX. After falling short in the 2018 World Cup semifinals, the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals and the 2024 Euros final, The Three Lions enter a new era under new manager Thomas Tuchel with plenty of unfinished business. England punched its ticket to the 2026 FIFA World Cup by topping UEFA Group K with a perfect campaign. They capped off qualification with a dominant 5-0 win over Latvia, finishing unbeaten in eight matches without conceding a single goal. England is among the tournament favorites at +700, trailing only France and Spain. Despite having a new manager, it will rely on the same core that has turned them into an international powerhouse, including Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice. After coming close on multiple major stages, this group has yet to get over the line, with the mens team still searching for its first major international title in 60 years. Similarly, Croatia has made some major noise over the last two World Cups, establishing itself as one of the most successful teams of the modern era. They finished runner-up in 2018 and followed it up with a third-place finish in 2022. On top of that, they also reached the UEFA Nations League final in 2023. Even more impressively, Croatia has achieved this sustained success with a population of fewer than four million people. Croatia secured their place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by finishing top of UEFA Group L, securing automatic qualification for the tournament. Like England, can they finally move past those near misses and heartbreaks to lift the trophy? Lets check out the odds for the England vs. Croatia Group L matchup at FanDuel Sportsbook as of June 17. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. England vs. Croatia Odds Moneyline Spread Over/Under Total Odds: 2.5 England vs. Croatia Prediction, Pick From FOX Sports Wagering Analyst, Chris The Bear Fallica: How to Watch England vs. Croatia Let's take a look at some other bets for the match. Anytime Goalscorer Props Tie No Bet Both Teams to Score