Ronaldo, Kane, Diaz Lead the Charge on Match Day 7 of the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup continued with a thrilling slate of matches on Wednesday, June 17, as several of the tournament's biggest stars began their campaigns. Match Day 7 featured four compelling group stage contests, headlined by the opening games of Portugal, England, and Colombia, all of whom boast some of the world's most recognizable football talent. From Cristiano Ronaldo making history in his sixth World Cup to Harry Kane leading a star-studded England side against a familiar foe, the day provided a compelling mix of experience, ambition, and emerging narratives.

Portugal Begins Its Campaign Against DR Congo

Group K action kicked off in Houston as Portugal, ranked fifth in the world, took on a determined DR Congo side. All eyes were on Cristiano Ronaldo, who at 41 years old was playing in his sixth World Cup, becoming the second-oldest outfield player in tournament history behind only Cameroon legend Roger Milla. The veteran forward has shown few signs of slowing down under head coach Roberto Martinez, having scored 22 goals in 26 appearances for his country since Martinez took over in 2023.

Portugal enters this tournament with genuine ambitions of winning the title for the first time. The team's recent form has been impressive, including winning the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League after victories over Germany and Spain. They also qualified for the World Cup with ease, outscoring opponents 20-7 over six qualifying matches. Beyond Ronaldo, Portugal boasts playmaker Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United and Real Madrid-bound midfielder Bernardo Silva, both likely playing in their final World Cup.

DR Congo made their first World Cup appearance since 1974, when the country was known as Zaire. They qualified through the intercontinental playoffs, defeating Jamaica 1-0. The Leopards feature several players from Europe's top leagues, including Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa and wing-backs Aaron Wan-Bissaka of West Ham and Arthur Masuaku of Lens. Despite their talent, Portugal entered the match as heavy favorites.

England Faces Croatia in Marquee Group L Clash

One of the most anticipated group stage matches of the tournament saw England take on Croatia at Dallas Stadium. Both teams were expected to advance from Group L, making this a crucial early test. England, ranked fourth in the world, came into the tournament with realistic hopes of winning, having reached the final of Euro 2024 where they narrowly lost to Spain.

Captain Harry Kane, widely regarded as one of the best strikers of his generation, leads the English attack. Kane has won the Premier League Golden Boot three times and the Bundesliga top scorer award three times, including the 2025-26 season with Bayern Munich. He also won the European Golden Shoe twice and is expected to contend for his second World Cup Golden Boot after winning the award in 2018. Beyond Kane, England features a deep roster including Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers, Arsenal's Declan Rice, and a solid defensive pairing of John Stones and Ezri Konsa.

Head coach Thomas Tuchel has done an impressive job since taking over in January 2025, overseeing a perfect World Cup qualifying campaign with eight wins and a 22-0 goal difference. Croatia, managed by Zlatko Dalić, provides a much sterner test. The Croatian team is built around the legendary Luka Modrić, 40, who continues to be a focal point of the team's game plan. Alongside Modrić, experienced players like Ivan Perišić, Mateo Kovačić, and Andrej Kramarić provide a blend of experience and tactical organization.

Ghana and Panama Battle for Group L Advantage

With Group L heavyweights England and Croatia playing earlier, the other two teams in the group, Ghana and Panama, met at Toronto Stadium in a contest that could prove decisive for advancement. With eight of 12 third-place teams qualifying for the knockout stages, a win for either side would provide a significant boost to their chances of progressing.

Panama, coached by Thomas Christiansen since 2020, has become one of the stronger teams in CONCACAF. Their recent results include a win over the United States at the 2024 Copa América and another victory over the US in the 2025 Nations League semifinal. However, at an average age of 30.4 years, Panama is the oldest team in the tournament.

Ghana underwent a coaching change just months before the tournament, appointing Carlos Queiroz—who will be coaching in his sixth World Cup—on April 13. The Black Stars bring dangerous attacking talent, including Antoine Semenyo, who joined Manchester City from Bournemouth in January for a reported fee of £64 million. Attacking midfielder Mohammed Kudus, who scored two goals at the 2022 World Cup, and Atlético Bilbao forward Iñaki Williams add to Ghana's offensive firepower.

Uzbekistan and Colombia Open Group K Play

The final match of Match Day 7 saw Colombia face World Cup debutants Uzbekistan at Mexico City Stadium. Colombia, ranked 13th in the world, entered as clear favorites, but their recent form has been inconsistent. The team showed promise at the 2024 Copa América, reaching the final before falling to Argentina, but later suffered a winless streak in World Cup qualifying and lost friendlies to Croatia and France.

Bayern Munich winger Luis Díaz is Colombia's standout player, coming off a 2025-26 season where he scored 26 goals in 51 appearances for the Bundesliga champions. Captain James Rodriguez, who won the World Cup Golden Boot in 2014, remains a wild card, having struggled at club level in recent years.

Uzbekistan is making their World Cup debut, having performed well in Asian tournaments but never reaching the global stage until now. They are coached by Italian legend Fabio Cannavaro, a former Ballon d'Or winner and World Cup champion. The team features promising young players like Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov and winger Abbosbek Fayzullaev, alongside captain Eldor Shomurodov, their all-time leading scorer.

Full Match Schedule for Match Day 7

• Portugal vs. DR Congo: 1 p.m. ET, Houston (FOX)
• England vs. Croatia: 4 p.m. ET, Dallas (FOX)
• Ghana vs. Panama: 7 p.m. ET, Toronto (FS1)
• Uzbekistan vs. Colombia: 10 p.m. ET, Mexico City (FS1)