World Cup 2026 Predictions — Tuesday 23 June
Available in USMatchday 2 closes on Tuesday with four fixtures across Groups K and L, two of which carry direct elimination and top-of-group consequences. This reference page sets out each match in the same order, with its Irish kickoff time, the media-reported prices converted to fractional, and a neutral assessment of where the numbers sit. Odds are indicative and were correct at the time of writing; readers should confirm the live price before staking.
Contents
- Today’s fixtures and Irish kickoff times
- Portugal vs Uzbekistan
- England vs Ghana
- Panama vs Croatia
- Colombia vs DR Congo
- Assessment summary
- Frequently asked questions
Today’s fixtures and Irish kickoff times
All four matches kick off in the United States or Mexico; the times below are converted to Irish Standard Time (IST, UTC+1) — the practical detail for anyone planning to watch from Ireland. Two of these run into the early hours of Wednesday.
| Match | Group | Kickoff (IST) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal vs Uzbekistan | K | 6:00 PM, Tue 23 Jun | NRG Stadium, Houston |
| England vs Ghana | L | 9:00 PM, Tue 23 Jun | Gillette Stadium, Foxborough |
| Panama vs Croatia | L | 12:00 AM, Wed 24 Jun | BMO Field, Toronto |
| Colombia vs DR Congo | K | 3:00 AM, Wed 24 Jun | Estadio Akron, Guadalajara |
Portugal vs Uzbekistan
Group context {#group-context-por-uzb}
Portugal drew their opener 1–1 with DR Congo and need a win to control Group K, with Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, under pressure after a goalless start to what is expected to be his final World Cup. Uzbekistan, at their first World Cup, lost 1–3 to Colombia but did register their first-ever World Cup goal through Fayzullaev.
Match odds {#match-odds-por-uzb}
| Outcome | Fractional | Decimal | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 9/50 | 1.18 | 23 Jun |
| Draw | 6/1 | 7.00 | 23 Jun |
| Uzbekistan | 14/1 | 15.00 | 23 Jun |
Reading the price {#reading-the-price-por-uzb}
The market makes Portugal heavy favourites at 9/50 (1.18). At that price the outright line carries little value; the systematic read is towards goals and winning-margin markets, given Portugal’s need to score. The venue — NRG Stadium in Houston — has a retractable roof, so heat is a factor only if it is left open.
England vs Ghana
Group context {#group-context-eng-gha}
The systematic fixture of the day: both sides won their openers (England 4–2 against Croatia, Ghana 1–0 against Panama), so the winner takes a major step towards the knockouts and, in all likelihood, top spot in Group L. England carry an injury question over Bukayo Saka (Achilles, doubt), while Declan Rice and Marcus Rashford are passed fit. Ghana are without Kudus, Salisu and Djiku, all ruled out of the tournament.
Match odds {#match-odds-eng-gha}
| Outcome | Fractional | Decimal | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | 1/5 | 1.20 | 23 Jun |
| Draw | 11/2 | 6.50 | 23 Jun |
| Ghana | 13/1 | 14.00 | 23 Jun |
Reading the price {#reading-the-price-eng-gha}
England are strong favourites at 1/5 (1.20). With Harry Kane one goal short of passing Gary Lineker as England’s outright all-time World Cup scorer, anytime-scorer and player-specials markets are the systematic read rather than the lopsided match-result line. A fuller breakdown sits on the England v Ghana preview.
Panama vs Croatia
Group context {#group-context-pan-cro}
A direct elimination match: both lost their openers and sit on zero points, so the loser is all but out. Croatia, beaten 2–4 by England, are favoured away; Panama must win to stay alive. Two systematic variables to monitor: Croatia’s formation question — predicted XIs split between a back three and a back four — and Panama’s Carlos Harvey, one booking from a suspension.
Match odds {#match-odds-pan-cro}
| Outcome | Fractional | Decimal | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panama | 13/2 | 7.50 | 23 Jun |
| Draw | 31/10 | 4.10 | 23 Jun |
| Croatia | 11/20 | 1.55 | 23 Jun |
Reading the price {#reading-the-price-pan-cro}
Croatia at 11/20 (1.55) reflect their superior squad, but a Panama side fighting elimination and the draw at 31/10 (4.10) — which would leave both in trouble — are the structural angles. The favourite price can be deceptive in high-stakes, low-quality-control fixtures of this type.
Colombia vs DR Congo
Group context {#group-context-col-cod}
Effectively a round-of-32 decider in Group K. Colombia opened with a 3–1 win over Uzbekistan; DR Congo, at their first World Cup in over 50 years, drew 1–1 with Portugal and scored their first World Cup goal in five decades through Wissa. The winner takes a commanding step towards qualification.
Match odds {#match-odds-col-cod}
| Outcome | Fractional | Decimal | As of |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colombia | 1/2 | 1.51 | 23 Jun |
| Draw | 16/5 | 4.20 | 23 Jun |
| DR Congo | 6/1 | 7.00 | 23 Jun |
Reading the price {#reading-the-price-col-cod}
Colombia at 1/2 (1.51) are favoured but not prohibitively, and DR Congo at 6/1 (7.00) have shown they can frustrate stronger sides. Guadalajara’s rainy-season conditions (light rain likely) tend to suit a lower-tempo, cautious game — a structural factor worth weighing in goals and tempo markets.
- England (1/5) and Portugal (9/50) are the heavy favourites of the day; the value sits in specials, not match result.
- Panama v Croatia and Colombia v DR Congo both carry direct knockout consequences.
- Two of the four fixtures run past midnight Irish time; only England v Ghana is in prime time.
- All prices are media-reported and indicative — confirm the live line before staking.
Assessment summary
Using the site’s neutral Fair / Value / Short / Long scale:
| Match | Favourite | Price | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal vs Uzbekistan | Portugal | 9/50 | Short — look to goals/margin |
| England vs Ghana | England | 1/5 | Short — read player specials |
| Panama vs Croatia | Croatia | 11/20 | Fair — high-variance elimination tie |
| Colombia vs DR Congo | Colombia | 1/2 | Fair — winner near-qualified |
For the wider context behind these calls, see the World Cup 2026 betting guide, the odds reference and the groups hub.
