World Cup guide maps next 2026 matches as tournament enters second week

The first six days of the 2026 FIFA World Cup are complete, with the United States and Mexico each winning their opening group-stage matches. As the 48-team tournament continues across the United States, Mexico and Canada, several teams are still awaiting their first appearance, while others head into the second round of group games needing points after opening-day results.

Wednesday’s schedule features Group K and Group L matches, including Portugal against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Houston and Uzbekistan against Colombia at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. The Congo is returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when it competed as Zaire, while Uzbekistan is making its tournament debut after finishing second to Iran in Asian qualifying. Colombia is back after missing the 2022 World Cup, and Portugal’s squad again centers on Cristiano Ronaldo, who is playing in his sixth World Cup at age 41.

In Group L, England meets Croatia in Arlington, Texas, in a rematch of their 2018 World Cup semifinal, which Croatia won in extra time. Ghana takes on Panama in Toronto, where Panama is seeking its first World Cup victory after debuting in 2018, and Ghana is trying to move beyond the group stage for the first time since 2010. The matches reflect a mix of debutants, returning teams and established powers as the tournament begins to take shape.

Thursday’s fixtures include Group A games with Czechia facing South Africa in Atlanta and Mexico meeting South Korea in Zapopan. Both Czechia and South Africa lost their openers, leaving little margin for error, while South Africa must do without midfielders Yaya Sithole and Themba Zwane after both were sent off in the loss to Mexico. The schedule underscores the early pressure in a compact tournament where every result quickly affects standings and knockout-stage hopes.