One of the biggest clashes of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 will see Portugal take on Spain at Dallas Stadium. The match brings together two European heavyweights, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Spain arrive in impressive form after a dominant victory over Austria, while Portugal booked their place in the last 16 following a dramatic win over Croatia. With stars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Bruno Fernandes expected to feature, fans can look forward to a high-quality contest.
Portugal vs Spain FIFA World Cup 2026: Match date and kick-off time
- Match: Portugal vs Spain
- Tournament: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16
- Venue: Dallas Stadium, Dallas
Kick-off times:
- India (IST): Tuesday, July 7 – 12:30 am
- United Kingdom (BST): Monday, July 6 – 8:00 pm
- United States (ET): Monday, July 6 – 3:00 pm
- Australia (AEST): Tuesday, July 7 – 5:00 am
Portugal vs Spain live streaming and TV telecast
Football fans can watch the match on the following platforms:
- India: Zee5
- United Kingdom: BBC One
- United States: Fox Sports
- Australia: SBS
Portugal vs Spain: Team news
Portugal
Portugal progressed after edging past Croatia 2-1 in a dramatic knockout tie. After falling behind to Ivan Perišic, Cristiano Ronaldo equalised from the penalty spot before substitute Gonçalo Ramos scored a stoppage-time winner.
Although Portugal advanced, manager Roberto Martínez will expect a better all-round performance against a stronger Spanish side. The midfield and defence were tested throughout the Croatia match, and greater defensive discipline will be needed.
Spain
Spain enter the match with confidence after defeating Austria 3-0. Mikel Oyarzabal scored twice, while Pedro Porro also found the net in a commanding display.
Spain have yet to concede a goal in the tournament and will hope their balanced attack and disciplined defence can carry them into the quarter-finals.
Portugal vs Spain predicted line-ups
Portugal predicted XI- Diogo Costa
- João Cancelo
- Rúben Dias
- Renato Veiga
- Nuno Mendes
- João Neves
- Vitinha
- Pedro Neto
- Bruno Fernandes
- Rafael Leão
- Cristiano Ronaldo
Spain predicted XI
- Unai Simón
- Marcos Llorente
- Pau Cubarsí
- Aymeric Laporte
- Marc Cucurella
- Mikel Merino
- Rodri
- Pedri
- Lamine Yamal
- Mikel Oyarzabal
- Álex Baena
Portugal vs Spain: Key players to watch
Portugal will once again look to Cristiano Ronaldo for inspiration, while Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Rafael Leão will be expected to provide creativity in attack.
Spain's hopes will largely rest on the exciting Lamine Yamal, midfield anchor Rodri, playmaker Pedri and striker Mikel Oyarzabal, who rediscovered his scoring touch in the previous round.
Portugal vs Spain match preview
Spain appear to have found their rhythm at the right time. Their convincing victory over Austria highlighted their attacking quality, while their defensive record remains one of the strongest in the competition.
Portugal, meanwhile, showed resilience against Croatia but were under pressure for long periods. Roberto Martínez's side will need to improve defensively and make better use of possession if they are to overcome the European champions.
The two nations also share recent history, with Portugal defeating Spain in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final after a penalty shootout. That result should give Portugal confidence, although Spain head into this encounter as slight favourites based on current form.
With both teams boasting world-class talent and a fierce Iberian rivalry, this promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the Round of 16.
