Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates scoring a goal to make the score 1-0 with Enzo Fernandez (R) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group J match between Argentina and Austria
The groups are starting to shape up and several teams have already booked their places in the Round of 32, some even as group winners. England could join that select group with another strong win today, but all four games could be quite interesting in their own regards.
The big stars have all shone bright at the World Cup so far, with the exception of Cristiano Ronaldo, leading to some renewed suggestions that Portugal will only go as far as the rest of the team can carry him. After a shock draw against DR Congo, and with Colombia awaiting in the final group game, they’re in desperate need of a win in this one.
Uzbekistan showed in their first game that they are no pushovers, but they eventually couldn’t quite hang with Colombia’s quality, conceding twice in the final 30 minutes to lose 3-1. They have nothing to lose in going for it all against Portugal.
Date / Time: Tuesday, June 22, 2026, 1pm EDT; 6pm BST
Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX, USA
Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)
Chelsea interest: Pedro Neto set up Portugal’s lone goal in the draw against DR Congo.
The Three Lions impressed with their four-goal performance against Croatia, though the first half wasn’t nearly as good as the second so there is certainly room for improvement. Assistant and former Chelsea coach Anthony Barry gave a candid interview at half-time of that game to highlight that notion. Presumably similar opinions were expressed in the dressing room, and they worked a treat!
Ghana meanwhile left it very late to eke out a 1-0 win over Panama, in one of the worst games of the tournament thus far. But a win’s a win, and the winner of this game, will have a place in the knockout rounds assured.
Date / Time: Tuesday, June 22, 2026, 4pm EDT; 9pm BST
Venue: Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, MA, USA
Referee: Saíd Martínez (Honduras)
On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); BBC One (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); BBC iPlayer (UK)
Chelsea interest: Reece James started and played the full game, initially at right back but finishing the day in midfield after Declan Rice was taken off (largely as precaution). Trevoh Chalobah has now been fully integrated into the squad after his emergency call-up and should be part of the matchday squad.
Croatia scored two high-quality goals against England, but overall, they looked a shadow of the team that had finished second and third in the last two World Cups. Panama meanwhile did very little of any quality, let alone of a high variety.
Date / Time: Tuesday, June 22, 2026, 7pm EDT; 12am BST (next day)
Venue: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Referee: Pierre Atcho (Gabon)
On TV: FOX, Telemundo (USA); BBC One (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); BBC iPlayer (UK)
Congo got the unlikely draw against Portugal, and are thus in good position to make the knockout rounds if they can get a win against Uzbekistan in the last group game. So this one’s a bit of a free hit for them, with Colombia expected to have little trouble in this game.
Date / Time: Tuesday, June 22, 2026, 10pm EDT; 3am BST (next day)
Venue: Estadio Akron, Guadalajara, Mexico
Referee: Maurizio Mariani (Italy)
On TV: FOX Sports 1, Telemundo (USA); ITV 1 (UK); elsewhere
Streaming online: FOX One, Peacock (USA); ITVx (UK)
Chelsea interest: None; though I am becoming a big fan of Richard Ríos, who seems to have benefited greatly from a season under José Mourinho.
Discover more from NAIRAVOICE.COM.NG
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
