At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo is not supposed to still be doing this, yet here he is at a sixth and final World Cup, already the oldest outfield player ever to start a match at the tournament. The trouble is, his Portugal side stumbled out of the blocks, held to a draw by DR Congo, and now they simply have to beat a fearless Uzbekistan team enjoying the very first World Cup in their history. Here is how to watch in Houston, when it kicks off near you, and whether the debutants can cause a stir.
Kickoff is 1:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM in the UK on Tuesday, June 23, at NRG Stadium in Houston (noon local). In the US, Tubi has it free, or watch on Fox. In Britain it is free on the BBC or ITV, with streaming on iPlayer and ITVX.
Watching Portugal vs Uzbekistan Free
No paid subscription required here. Several official broadcasters have it free.
In Portugal the match is free to air on RTP, and Uzbekistan fans can watch on the local Uzbek broadcasters. Outside the free markets you may need a paid option such as beIN Sports. As always, the official broadcaster gives you the best picture and nothing dodgy to worry about.
Portugal vs Uzbekistan on TV Around the World
USA UK Portugal
Uzbekistan Australia
IndiaWhat Time Is Portugal vs Uzbekistan in Your City?
New York (ET)Houston (CT, local)Los Angeles (PT)
Lisbon (WEST)
Tashkent (UZT)
London (BST)
Madrid / Paris (CEST)
Dubai (GST)
New Delhi (IST)
Sydney (AEST)
Tokyo (JST)
Doha (AST)When Does It Kick Off Where You Are?
Pick your country and we will do the maths.
Group K Standings and What Portugal Need
Colombia made the early running with a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan, while Portugal were pegged back by DR Congo. That leaves the favourites third on goal difference, needing a win here to get their campaign back on track before facing Colombia.
Colombia
DR CongoThe top two qualify automatically, plus the best third-placed teams across the groups. Form badge shows each team’s last result.
Ronaldo’s Last Dance Meets a Fearless Debut
There is a strange pressure on Portugal for a team this talented. The 1-1 draw with DR Congo, a side back at the World Cup for the first time in 52 years, was meant to be a routine win, and instead it has prompted talk in the Portuguese press of dropping Cristiano Ronaldo. At 41, with a record 228 caps and 143 international goals, he remains the story wherever he goes, but Roberto Martinez has a forward line so deep, Rafael Leao, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, Goncalo Ramos, that he could reshape the attack entirely if he wanted to.
And make no mistake, the quality is there. Bruno Fernandes is coming off a season in which he racked up a record 21 Premier League assists, and the four PSG players in the squad have just won the Champions League. On paper Portugal should have far too much for their opponents. The issue is whether they can turn that talent into goals quickly, before any nerves creep in.
Uzbekistan, meanwhile, are simply enjoying the ride, and they are not here to make up the numbers. This is their first ever World Cup, and they marked it with their first ever World Cup goal through Abbosbek Fayzullaev in a competitive 3-1 defeat to Colombia. Tellingly, they are coached by Fabio Cannavaro, the man who captained Italy to the 2006 World Cup, and they have a Manchester City defender in Abdukodir Khusanov. They will sit deep, stay organised, and hope to frustrate.
The smart money is firmly on Portugal, who really cannot afford another slip. Expect them to dominate the ball and eventually wear Uzbekistan down, though the debutants have already shown they can find the net. A comfortable Portugal win is the likeliest outcome, but do not be surprised if Uzbekistan grab a goal to remember on their big adventure.
How They Might Line Up
Both squads are fully fit with no suspensions. Martinez may sharpen his XI after the Congo draw, with Leao pushing for a start, while Cannavaro keeps his disciplined, deep-lying shape.
PORTUGAL · Martinez · 4-3-3Diogo Costa · Dalot, Ruben Dias (c), Goncalo Inacio, Nuno Mendes · Vitinha, Joao Neves, Bruno Fernandes · Conceicao, Ronaldo, Rafael Leao
UZBEKISTAN · Cannavaro · 4-5-1Yusupov · Sayfiev, Khusanov, Ashurmatov, Alijonov · Hamrobekov, Shukurov, Fayzullaev, Masharipov, Urunov · Shomurodov
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A Word on NRG Stadium
Home to the NFL’s Houston Texans, NRG Stadium has a fully retractable roof and air conditioning, a real bonus in the Texas summer heat that can top 35C. The cooler, controlled conditions suit Portugal’s technical, possession-based game, and it is easily reached on the METRORail Red Line. There is more on it at Wikipedia.
There is none. Portugal and Uzbekistan have never met at any level, so this is a genuine first encounter, and Uzbekistan’s first ever World Cup appearance makes it all the more memorable for them.
Portugal vs Uzbekistan: Quick Answers
What time does Portugal vs Uzbekistan kick off?
1pm Eastern in the US, which is noon local in Houston and 6pm in the UK. In Lisbon it is 6pm and in Tashkent 10pm. The date is Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
Can I watch Portugal vs Uzbekistan for free in the US?
Yes. Tubi is streaming it free with no signup. Fox has the English broadcast and Telemundo the Spanish, and it is also on Fubo, Sling, YouTube TV and Peacock.
Is it on free TV in the UK?
Yes, on either BBC or ITV depending on the match split, both free to air, with streaming via BBC iPlayer and ITVX.
Is this really Ronaldo's last World Cup?
Almost certainly. At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo has said this is his final World Cup, his sixth, a record he shares with Lionel Messi. He has already become the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match.
Is this Uzbekistan's first World Cup?
Yes. The 2026 World Cup is Uzbekistan's first ever, a historic milestone. They are coached by Italy's 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro and scored their first ever World Cup goal against Colombia.
Who is top of Group K?
Colombia lead after a 3-1 win over Uzbekistan. Portugal and DR Congo drew 1-1 and have a point each, with Uzbekistan bottom on zero. Portugal sit third on goal difference.
Have Portugal and Uzbekistan played before?
No, never, at any level. This is the first ever meeting between the two nations.
What is the prediction?
We expect a 3-1 Portugal win. Their attacking quality should prove too much, though Uzbekistan have already shown at this World Cup that they can score.
