Portugal through group stage despite not playing final match at World Cup 2026

USA—Portugal secured a spot in the World Cup 2026 round of 32, despite not yet playing their final Group K match against Colombia.

Today's final Group H results guarantee Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates progress from Group K. With four points from their first two matches, Portugal can no longer be eliminated from the group of eight best third-placed teams, even if they suffer a heavy defeat against Colombia in the final round.

Portugal currently have four points thanks to a 1-1 draw with DR Congo and a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan. Their lowest possible position in Group K is third. However, among the third-placed teams in the group stage, those with four points are guaranteed to advance.

Lamine Yamal reacts after being tackled by Juan Manuel Sanabria during the match between Uruguay and Spain in the final round of Group H at the World Cup 2026 at Akron Stadium, Zapopan, near Guadalajara, Mexico on June 26. Photo: AP

Advertisement

Stay

Playback speed

1x NormalQuality

AutoBack322p240p144pAutoBack0.25x0.5x1x Normal1.5x2x

/

Portugal's qualification was confirmed after Spain beat Uruguay 1-0, while Cape Verde drew 0-0 with Saudi Arabia. This result left both Uruguay and Saudi Arabia with two points and eliminated, while helping Cape Verde secure second place in the group. Uruguay having only two points means Portugal is guaranteed to rank above the South American team in the third-placed teams' standings.

Furthermore, Portugal's four points also guarantee they will have a better record than the third-placed teams in Groups A, C, H, and I, which include South Korea, Scotland, Uruguay, and Senegal. Therefore, even if overtaken by some third-placed teams in the remaining groups, Martinez's side will still finish among the eight best third-placed teams to advance.

Portugal can only drop to third place in Group K if they lose to Colombia and DR Congo defeat Uzbekistan by a margin large enough to overcome a six-goal difference in goal difference.

The final round of Group K will therefore only decide Portugal's final standing. If they beat Colombia, Ronaldo and his teammates will top the group. A draw is enough to secure second place. If they drop to third, Roberto Martinez's side will advance to face the winners of Group L, likely England. Therefore, they will still have to fight to finish in the top two of Group K.

Nuno Mendes (number 25) celebrates the second goal for Portugal in the match against Uzbekistan in Group K of the World Cup 2026 at Houston stadium on June 23. Photo: AP

Colombia have also qualified ahead of the final round thanks to two consecutive wins over Uzbekistan and DR Congo. The clash between Colombia and Portugal in the final round of Group K will decide the top spot and affect their path in the knockout bracket.

Portugal is one of four teams to have just secured a ticket to the round of 32 without needing to play their final match, alongside England, Ghana, and Egypt. All four benefited from the results in Group H, as the points threshold required to reach the top eight third-placed teams was established after Uruguay and Saudi Arabia were eliminated.

Prior to the final round of the remaining four groups (G, J, K, L), 26 teams have secured their spots in the knockout stage. The 9 group winners include Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, USA, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, France, and Argentina.

The 8 runners-up are South Africa, Canada, Morocco, Australia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Cape Verde, and Norway.

The 4 teams guaranteed to advance as the best third-placed teams include Bosnia & Herzegovina, Paraguay, Ecuador, and Sweden.

In addition, Egypt and four teams in the final three groups—Portugal, Colombia, England, and Ghana—have also progressed through the group stage, though their final standings will only be determined after the final round of matches.

Eleven teams have been eliminated from World Cup 2026: Czech Republic, Qatar, Haiti, Turkey, Curacao, Tunisia, Iraq, Jordan, Panama, Uruguay, and Saudi Arabia.

Additionally, 11 teams whose fates are yet to be decided will compete for the remaining 6 spots in the round of 32.

Third Asian team eliminated from World Cup 2026

Iraq lose Senegal 0-5 in final round of Group I, become third Asian representative eliminated from World Cup 2026, put South Korea in tough spot. 49

France crush Norway via superb Dembele hat-trick

Reigning Ballon d'Or Ousmane Dembele score first-half hat-trick, help France beat Norway 4-1, reach World Cup 2026 round of 32 as Group I winners. 94

Japan coach: 'We have chance to beat Brazil'

Hajime Moriyasu see 2025 friendly win over Brazil as basis for belief before meeting South American team again in World Cup 2026 round of 32. 49

Spain eliminate Uruguay from World Cup 2026

1-0 win send Spain to World Cup 2026 round of 32 as Group H winners, while Uruguay eliminated after match at Guadalajara. 48

Why teams in groups C, F, H and J disadvantaged in World Cup round of 32?

While winners of groups A, B, D, E, G, I, K, L face one of eight third-placed teams in World Cup 2026 round of 32, winners of groups C, F, H, J must face runner-up. 58