2026 World Cup schedule: Portugal faces DR Congo, England meets Croatia on June 18

The 2026 World Cup continues on June 18 with several key matchups, including Portugal's highly anticipated debut and a rematch between England and Croatia.

Portugal is set to face the Democratic Republic of Congo at 0:00 on June 18. All eyes will be on superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, likely playing in his final World Cup. This match is particularly significant for DR Congo, as it marks their first World Cup appearance in 52 years, despite facing challenges during their preparation, including an Ebola outbreak.

Later that day, at 3:00, England will play Croatia. This encounter evokes memories of the 2018 World Cup semifinal, where Croatia emerged victorious 2-1. However, England now boasts a formidable squad, while the Croatian team that reached the 2018 final has aged.

Other matches scheduled for June 18 include Ghana vs. Panama at 6:00 and Uzbekistan vs. Colombia at 9:00. The 2026 World Cup, hosted across North America, features an expanded 48-team format from June 12 to July 20, with teams competing across 12 groups.