Portugal vs Uzbekistan — World Cup 2026 Group · Matchday 2
Match preview / What to expect
Updated Jun 6, 2026Portugal take on Uzbekistan in Group K, with Roberto Martinez's side strongly fancied against the Central Asian nation making its World Cup debut.
Portugal's squad is loaded with quality, led by Cristiano Ronaldo and supported by Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao and the midfield class of Vitinha. Fabio Cannavaro's Uzbekistan are organised and ambitious on their maiden appearance, with Eldor Shomurodov leading the line and Abbosbek Fayzullaev offering creativity.
Portugal will expect to control the game and create plenty, while Uzbekistan will aim to stay compact, soak up pressure and make their historic debut a memorable one.
Key storylines
- 01Uzbekistan savouring their first-ever World Cup appearance.
- 02Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes leading a deep Portugal squad.
- 03Eldor Shomurodov carrying Uzbekistan's attacking hopes.
Prediction
Portugal 3-0 Uzbekistan
Projected lineups
Projected XI — not confirmed
Portugal
Formation 4-3-3- 1Diogo Costa
- 2Diogo Dalot
- 3Ruben Dias
- 4Goncalo Inacio
- 5Nuno Mendes
- 6Vitinha
- 7Joao Neves
- 8Bruno Fernandes
- 9Bernardo Silva
- 10Cristiano Ronaldo
- 11Rafael Leao
Uzbekistan
Formation 4-2-3-1- 1U. Yusupov
- 2A. Khusanov
- 3R. Ashurmatov
- 4B. Karimov
- 5K. Alijonov
- 6O. Hamrobekov
- 7J. Iskanderov
- 8J. Masharipov
- 9A. Fayzullaev
- 10D. Khamdamov
- 11E. Shomurodov
Team news
Portugal
- Cristiano Ronaldo expected to lead the Portuguese attack.
- Bruno Fernandes and Vitinha drive the midfield.
Uzbekistan
- Eldor Shomurodov is Uzbekistan's main striker.
- Abbosbek Fayzullaev provides creativity from midfield.
Sources
Preview is editorial. Projected lineups are not confirmed team sheets.
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