FIFA World Cup: Group Stages To End Tonight, Ronaldo, Messi in Action

The picture will be set for the Round of 32 as the group games in the FIFA world cup 2026 will be over with the games that kickoff between tonight and tomorrow morning. Star players including Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be playing, as the finale of the group games are expected to give a joyful treat to football fans worldwide, before a day of break in action on Sunday night.

Panama vs England (02:30 AM)

Title favourites Three Lions will take on minnows Panama in the first game of the night. England has already qualified to the knockouts but are level on four points with Ghana after two games. Panama has been eliminated from the tournament. The England squad is expected to have multiple changes from the squad that played their last game against Ghana. Strikers including Ollie Watkins or Ivan Toney might get a chance to start this game as team coach Thoma Tuchel will look to rest key players including Harry Kane and Antony Gordon. Panama will look to score their first goal in the tournament before packing their bags.

Key Players: Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze (England); Tomás Rodríguez, Yoel Bárcenas (Panama)

Croatia vs Ghana (02:30 AM)

The 2018 Finalists and 2022 Semi-Finalists Croatia look to make sure that they reach the knockouts, as they are currently third in the group, behind England and Ghana. Meanwhile, the 2010 quarter-finalists Ghana will look to cement their second place in the group and go ahead into the next round.

Key Players: Luka Modrić, Ivan Perišić, Nikola Moro, Joško Gvardiol (Croatia), Iñaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Thomas Partey (Ghana)

Colombia vs Portugal (05:00 AM)

What could be the most end-to-end match happening tonight, an in-form Cristiano Ronaldo will lead his Portugal team against a fast paced Columbia who sits at the top of the table in the group K. The winners of this game can go to the next round.

Key Players: Cristiano Ronaldo, João Neves, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha (Portugal); Luis Díaz, James Rodríguez, Cucho Hernández, Jefferson Lerma (Columbia)

DR Congo vs Uzbekistan (05:00 AM)

The DR Congo team will face off against an already eliminated Uzbekistan, and will try to win with as many goals, to reach the knockout phase through the third place cohort from the Group K. Uzbekistan, who will bow out of their debut world cup outing after this game.

Key Players: Yoane Wissa, Cédric Bakambu, Samuel Moutoussamy, Axel Tuanzebe (DR Congo); Abdukodir Khusanov, Ruslanbek Jiyanov, Eldor Shomurodov (Uzbekistan)

Algeria vs Austria (07:30 AM)

In the games in group J, in which Argentina has already qualified, Algeria and Austria will fight for the second spot and, as both teams currently have 3 points each. But a draw will also ensure both teams get through to the next rounds.

Key Players: Riyad Mahrez, Ibrahim Maza, Amine Gouiri, Houssem Aouar, Nabil Bentaleb (Algeria); Marko Arnautović, Konrad Laimer, Carney Chukwuemeka, Marcel Sabitzer, David Alaba (Austria)

Jordan vs Argentina (07:30 AM)

Argentina will look to go to the knockouts in style with all 9 points from an available 9. Meanwhile, Jordan will look to claim at least a goal before they head back to their home country, as this will be their last game in this tournament.

Key Players: Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Nico Paz, Alexis Mac Allister, Rodrigo De Paul (Argentina); Musa Al-Taamari, Odeh Al-Fakhouri, Ali Azaizeh (Jordan)

Where To Watch

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is available for online streaming at the ZEE5 App, whereas on Telecast, the matches will be available on the Unite8 Sports channels. Unite8 Sports 1 & Unite8 Sports 1 HD will have Hindi commentary, whereas Unite8 Sports 2 & Unite8 Sports 2 HD will have English commentary.