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Portugal vs Spain Preview, Lineups, Prediction: FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16
Portugal faces Spain in a FIFA World Cup yet again, 8 years and 3 World Cup editions later. The last time these two teams played each other on a stage this big was in 2018 in Russia, on the first matchday of their group stage, when Cristiano Ronaldo became the oldest player then to score a World Cup hat-trick, with the game ending 3 – 3 at the Sochi Stadium.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming game between Portugal vs Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16!
Key Details
Date: Monday, July 7, 2026
Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET | 8:00 PM BST | 9:00 PM CET
Venue: Dallas Stadium (AT&T Stadium), Arlington, Dallas, Texas
Capacity: 70,649
Referee: Anthony Taylor (ENG)
What is at stake: A place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals
Fact Check: Neither nation has beaten the other in a World Cup knockout match
Form Guide: FIFA World Cup 2026
Portugal’s Road to the Round of 16
Portugal took the harder route through the group stage. They drew 1-1 with DR Congo in their opener, then beat Uzbekistan 5-0, and finally were held again to a goalless draw by Colombia. They finished second in Group K, facing heavy criticism from fans and critics after being deemed the tournament favorites before the tournament even began.
Then came the Round of 32 fixture against Croatia, a game Portugal may have lost had it not been for VAR and Snicko. Ivan Perisic gave Croatia the lead. Ronaldo equalized from the penalty spot, his first-ever goal in a World Cup knockout match in nine previous attempts. He was then substituted in the 80th minute, visibly unhappy about the decision, before Goncalo Ramos headed in a 94th-minute winner. A Josko Gvardiol goal for Croatia in stoppage time was ruled out by ball-sensor technology after a review detected an offside touch, and Portugal survived.
Spain’s Road to the Round of 16
Spain’s group stage had its own blip: a goalless draw with Cape Verde in the opener that raised questions about whether the European champions had arrived in North America at full capacity. Then came their answer to the criticism. They beat Saudi Arabia 4-0, beat Uruguay 1-0, won Group H, and then dismantled Austria 3-0 in the Round of 32 without conceding a single shot on target.
Across their four World Cup matches, Spain have not conceded a goal. Not one. Moreover, Spain are 34 matches unbeaten. They arrive in Dallas as the clear favorites for the tie, as well as for the tournament.
Predicted Lineups
Portugal (4-2-3-1)
GK: Diogo Costa
DEF: João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes
MID: João Neves, Vitinha
ATT: Pedro Neto, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao
ST: Cristiano Ronaldo
Manager: Roberto Martinez
Spain (4-2-3-1)
GK: Unai Simon
DEF: Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella
MID: Rodri, Pedri
ATT: Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Alex Baena
ST: Mikel Oyarzabal
Manager: Luis de la Fuente
Injury and Availability
Portugal: No new injury concerns. Ismael Koné remains out. Full squad otherwise available.
Spain: Nico Williams confirmed out (adductor). Yeremy Pino doubtful (shoulder).
Key Battles to Watch
Lamine Yamal vs Nuno Mendes
This is the most anticipated individual duel of the match and possibly of the entire Round of 16. Yamal, 18, is one of the most technically gifted wingers in world football right now. Mendes, 23, is a cemented left-back at the two-time Champions League-winning club, PSG, and knows his game better than almost any defender in the tournament. They have faced each other in the Champions League last season, and in the UEFA Nations League final last year, with the Portuguese fullback having the better of the Spanish talisman.
Rodri vs Bruno Fernandes
Rodri won the Ballon d’Or in 2024 and anchors Spain’s midfield by reading transitions before they develop. Bruno Fernandes has been Portugal’s most creative player without yet producing the goal involvement his xG and shot volume suggest he should. Against Spain’s compact shape, Fernandes will have less space than he found against Croatia.
How much of the ball he can get in dangerous positions, and whether he can pull Rodri out of position to open lanes for Ronaldo or Leao, will go a long way to determining whether Portugal can threaten Spain’s defensive record.
Head-to-Head Record
| Stat | Record |
| All-time meetings | 41 |
| Spain wins | 17 |
| Portugal wins | 6 |
| Draws | 18 |
| Last meeting | 2025 Nations League Final: Portugal won on penalties after a 2-2 draw |
Tournament Stats Comparison
| Stat | Portugal | Spain |
| Goals scored | 8 | 8 |
| Goals conceded | 2 | 0 |
| Shots | 52 | 78 |
| Shots on target | 15 | 26 |
| Clean sheets | 2 | 4 |
| Possession average | 56% | 64% |
Where to Watch Portugal vs Spain
| Region | Platform | Cost |
| USA | FOX / FOX One / Fubo / Sling TV | Paid |
| Canada | TSN / CTV (selected matches) | Paid / Free |
| UK | BBC iPlayer / ITVX | Free |
| Australia | SBS / SBS On Demand | Free |
| France | TF1 / M6+ / beIN Sports | Free (selected) / Paid |
| Spain | La 1 / DAZN | Free (La 1) / Paid |
| Middle East | beIN Sports / TOD | Paid |
| Worldwide | CazéTV (YouTube) | Free, no VPN needed |
How to Watch Portugal vs Spain from Outside Your Country
BBC iPlayer has all 104 matches of the 2026 World Cup free, including this one. If you are outside the UK and want the best free English-language broadcast available, a VPN connection to a UK server unlocks BBC iPlayer in minutes.
Here is how to watch the games from anywhere using FastestVPN:
- Download FastestVPN on your device
- Connect to the UK server
- Open the streaming app or website and sign in with a free account.
- Portugal vs Spain kicks off at 3:00 PM ET
FastestVPN supports iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Amazon Fire TV Stick, smart TVs, and more. One account covers multiple devices simultaneously.
FAQs: Portugal vs Spain FIFA World Cup 2026
When does Portugal vs Spain kick off?
Monday, July 7, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET. That is 8:00 PM BST for UK viewers and 9:00 PM for viewers in Spain and Portugal.
Where is Portugal vs Spain being played?
AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, officially designated as Dallas Stadium by FIFA for this tournament. The stadium holds up to 70,649 fans.
Who is the favorite to win Portugal vs Spain?
Spain are the clear favorites. They have not conceded a goal in four World Cup matches and arrive with more momentum. Portugal won the Nations League against Spain on penalties in 2025, which shows the gap is not insurmountable.
Where can I watch Portugal vs Spain for free?
BBC iPlayer and ITVX in the UK, SBS On Demand in Australia, CazéTV on YouTube worldwide, and RTÉ Player in Ireland are all free options. A VPN like FastestVPN lets you stream the UK and Australian platforms from anywhere.
Conclusion: The Iberian Derby
Cristiano’s Portugal vs Lamine’s Spain, this is the one fixture everyone wanted to see. European neighbors, rivals, and two of the most decorated footballing nations in European history, meet at AT&T Stadium in Dallas on Monday in a match that could see Cristiano Ronaldo play his final World Cup knockout game, or see him walk off the pitch one step closer to the only trophy he has never won.
This is not simply two good teams drawn against each other. These sides met in last year’s UEFA Nations League Final, with Portugal winning on penalties after a 2-2 draw, a match which had both Cristiano Ronaldo and Mikel Oyarzabal on the scoresheet in normal time.
They met in the 2018 World Cup in Russia in a group-stage game that produced a 3-3 classic, with Ronaldo scoring all three Portuguese goals, including a 91st-minute free kick.
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