Portugal's national football team will face Croatia in the round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Thursday at midnight Lisbon time, with Norwegian referee Espen Eskas appointed to oversee the elimination fixture.
Match Details and Referee Assignment
Match timing: Kickoff is Thursday at midnight Lisbon time.
Referee appointment: FIFA confirmed that Espen Eskas, 38, will referee the match. He will be assisted by compatriots Jan Erik Engan and Isaak Bashevkin, with South African official Abongile Tom serving as fourth official. VAR personnel will be announced 24 hours before kickoff, per tournament protocol.
This marks Eskas's second assignment at the tournament after he refereed a group-phase match earlier in the competition.
Portugal's Group Stage Performance
Portugal finished second in Group K with 5 points after a mixed campaign. The team managed a 1-1 draw against the Democratic Republic of Congo, followed by a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan. However, a goalless draw against Colombia proved costly, allowing the South Americans to claim the group with 7 points.
Throughout the group stage, Portugal demonstrated inconsistency in converting territorial control into clear scoring opportunities—a weakness that will need addressing against a resilient Croatian side in the knockout phase.
Tournament Context
Croatia also progressed from their group, where they face a critical test against a Portuguese squad seeking redemption after a disappointing opening round. With the tournament's first 48-team format stretching until July 19 across venues in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, both nations must perform at their peak to progress further.
Training Camp Update: Full Availability
Portugal resumed training following the Colombia match with all 26 players available for selection. The session began with the full squad observing a minute of silence for Manuel Ribeiro de Carvalho, father of assistant coach Ricardo Carvalho, who passed away at 69. The former international defender attended training but departed for Portugal later in the day to attend the funeral.
Nine players—Diogo Costa, Nuno Mendes, Renato Veiga, Rúben Dias, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto, João Félix, and Cristiano Ronaldo—began the session with gym work before joining the remaining squad on the pitch. Players who featured heavily against Colombia completed recovery protocols, while others trained under Martínez's direction. Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) president Pedro Proença observed the session.
The full availability of players gives Martínez maximum flexibility in selection, but also heightens focus on his tactical decisions for the knockout challenge ahead. Thursday's midnight kickoff represents a crucial opportunity for Portugal to demonstrate improvement and advance in the tournament.
