Bookmakers Favor Portugal Over Croatia in 2026 World Cup Round of 32 Clash

Portugal vs. Croatia: Pre-Match Predictions

According to Главком: On July 3, 2026, at BMO Field in Toronto, Portugal and Croatia will meet in the Round of 32 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Their contrasting group-stage performances add an extra layer of suspense to this encounter. The 2026 tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marks the first World Cup to feature 48 teams, making this knockout round a new and critical phase.

Bookmaker odds place Portugal as the clear favorite, with a victory priced at 1.96. Croatia’s chances of winning stand at 2.69, while a draw in regular time is listed at 4.44. The odds for Portugal to advance to the next round are 1.24, compared to 3.75 for Croatia. Additionally, a total of under 2.0 goals is offered at 3.15. As of 4:25 PM on July 2, these predictions remain current.

Team Form Ahead of the Match

Portugal’s group stage performance includes one win, one draw, and another draw. They opened with a 1-1 tie against DR Congo, with Joao Neves scoring, followed by a dominant 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan featuring a brace from Cristiano Ronaldo, and a scoreless 0-0 draw with Colombia.

Croatia, meanwhile, has mixed results:

• a 4-2 loss to England, with goals from Baturina and Musa;
• a 1-0 win over Panama thanks to a Budimir goal;
• a 2-1 victory against Ghana, with strikes from Petar Sucic and Vlasic.

Historically, Portugal and Croatia have faced off 10 times, with Portugal winning 7, drawing 2, and losing just 1. Their most recent clash came in fall 2024, when Portugal won 2-1; earlier that same year, the teams drew 1-1 in Zagreb.

The Portugal-Croatia match will be broadcast on the Megogo streaming service, with coverage starting at 2:00 AM Kyiv time on the Megogo Football 2 channel.

This game is a pivotal moment for both sides, as advancing to the Round of 16 could significantly shape their tournament journeys. Portugal, with its strong squad and favorable historical record against Croatia, holds an edge, but Croatia’s resilience after setbacks could spring a surprise. Fans can expect a tense, emotionally charged contest that promises to be a highlight of the World Cup.

As the excitement builds for the knockout stage, it's worth noting how Croatia reached this pivotal moment. Their journey began with a challenging opener against England, which set the tone for their group performance. For a closer look at how Croatia fared in their initial match and what it means for their upcoming clash with Portugal, check out our detailed coverage of the England vs. Croatia matchup.