Lineup Portugal vs Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 – The match between Portugal and Uzbekistan at the 2026 World Cup is one of the most anticipated fixtures, especially after Portugal’s disappointing result in their previous game.

The match is scheduled to take place at Houston Stadium on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 12:00 PM local time.

Portugal currently sit in third place in Group K after the first matchday. They will be eager to respond and prove their status as one of the strong contenders for the title, while Uzbekistan aim to avoid a second defeat that could immediately confirm their elimination in their World Cup debut.

Before the match begins, here is the Mansion Sports prediction for the Portugal vs Uzbekistan World Cup 2026 lineups below.

Team Conditions Ahead of the Match

Portugal

After failing to secure a victory in the opening match against the Democratic Republic of Congo, pressure is now fully on Roberto Martínez’s squad to improve their performance against Uzbekistan.

Portugal began their Group K campaign with a 1-1 draw against DR Congo. João Neves gave Portugal an early lead in the sixth minute, but the advantage was cancelled out by Yoane Wissa.

Attention then turned to captain Cristiano Ronaldo after a performance considered below expectations. Many critics argued that Ronaldo contributed little to the team’s overall play, especially following an incident involving Bruno Fernandes.

Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes but failed to make a significant impact. From three attempts, none were on target.

The 41-year-old last scored in a World Cup match against Ghana in 2022, further intensifying scrutiny of his international performances.

The match against Uzbekistan marks Portugal’s continuation in Group K against a debutant side that previously lost 3-1 to Colombia.

This is also the first-ever meeting between the two nations. Interestingly, Portugal have failed to win their last two World Cup matches against AFC opposition, making this fixture far from straightforward.

Uzbekistan

After a 3-1 defeat to Colombia, World Cup debutants Uzbekistan now face a difficult challenge against Portugal. They need a positive result to avoid early elimination from the tournament.

In their debut match, Uzbekistan struggled to build their game. However, they managed to score their first-ever World Cup goal after the 60th minute against Colombia.

The goal came from Dostonbek Khamdamov’s cross to Eldor Shomurodov. Shomurodov’s volley was initially blocked, then rebounded inside the six-yard box before Abbosbek Fayzullaev finished into an empty net.

However, the lead did not last long. Five minutes later, Colombia responded with a quick attack finished by Luis Díaz.

One notable statistic is that Uzbekistan did not record a single touch inside the opposition penalty area in the first half, making them the only team to do so in the tournament.

They also recorded an expected goals (xG) of just 0.02 in the early phase of the match. Despite this, their first touch inside the penalty box immediately resulted in a goal, marking a historic moment for Uzbekistan in the World Cup.

Lineups – Portugal vs Uzbekistan World Cup 2026

Portugal (4-3-3)

Squad selection for Portugal remains a concern, particularly regarding the fitness of Rúben Dias, who missed the opening match due to not being 100% fit. There is a possibility of his return, but the final decision will consider injury risk.

Despite criticism, Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to remain a starter and lead Portugal’s attack in this important match.

Uzbekistan (3-4-3)

On the Uzbekistan side, Khojiakbar Alijonov is one of the options who could be introduced into the starting XI. However, coach Fabio Cannavaro is expected to largely maintain his main lineup despite the opening loss.

Utkir Yusupov will continue in goal, while the defensive duo of Abdukodir Khusanov and Rustam Ashurmatov is expected to retain their places in the back line.

The match is expected to be tightly contested, as both teams need a positive result. Portugal aim to bounce back and return to winning ways, while Uzbekistan fight to keep their hopes alive in their World Cup debut.

This match is not only about three points, but also about momentum and pride on the biggest stage in world football.