FIFA World Cup group stage concludes with six matches on Saturday

By Karan Malhotra — 27 June 2026 — 4 min read

The FIFA World Cup group stage is set to conclude with six matches scheduled for Saturday. Teams such as England and Argentina are aiming to maintain perfect records, while Colombia and Portugal will compete for the top spot in Group K. Other nations, including Croatia, Ghana, DR Congo, and Uzbekistan, are also vying for a place in the Round of 32.

Off the pitch, Cape Verde has achieved a historic milestone by reaching the knockout stage in their inaugural World Cup appearance. Meanwhile, Iran awaits confirmation of their qualification as one of the best third-placed teams, and captain Mehdi Taremi has voiced concerns regarding his team’s travel arrangements.

Saturday’s Fixtures and Match Previews

Saturday’s schedule features several key matchups across various stadiums in the United States:

Panama vs. England at New York New Jersey Stadium at 5pm EDT (21:00 GMT)
Croatia vs. Ghana at Philadelphia Stadium at 5pm EDT (21:00 GMT)
Colombia vs. Portugal at Miami Stadium at 7:30pm EDT (23:30 GMT)
DR Congo vs. Uzbekistan at Atlanta Stadium at 7:30pm EDT (23:30 GMT)
Jordan vs. Argentina at Dallas Stadium at 9pm CDT (02:00 GMT on Sunday)
Algeria vs. Austria at Kansas City Stadium at 9pm CDT (02:00 GMT on Sunday)

In the match between Panama and England, England is considered a strong favourite. Their previous encounter at the Russia 2018 World Cup saw England secure a 6-1 victory, which remains their largest win in tournament history. Pre-match simulations suggest England has a 78.5 percent chance of winning, while Panama has an 8.9 percent chance of their first World Cup victory.

The game between Croatia and Ghana marks their first-ever meeting in a World Cup. Croatia, despite being a point behind Ghana in Group L, is favoured to win, with simulations giving them a 56.3 percent chance of victory. Ghana’s chance of winning is 17.6 percent, with a draw rated at 26.2 percent.

Colombia and Portugal will also face each other for the first time in a World Cup match. Portugal is slightly favoured, with a 51.6 percent chance of winning in pre-match simulations, compared to Colombia’s 23.9 percent. A draw, which would secure Colombia the top spot in Group K, has a 25.2 percent probability.

The match between DR Congo and Uzbekistan is another first-time World Cup encounter. DR Congo is given a 48.9 percent chance of winning, while Uzbekistan has a 26.8 percent chance. A draw is rated at 24.3 percent, offering Uzbekistan a potential path to the Round of 32.

Algeria and Austria will meet for only the second time in a World Cup, with their previous match in 1982 resulting in a 2-0 victory for Austria. This upcoming game is expected to be closely contested, with a draw being the most likely outcome at 42.1 percent. Austria has a 31.2 percent chance of winning, while Algeria has a 26.7 percent chance.

In the final match of the day, Jordan will face Argentina for the first time in any competition. Argentina is heavily favoured to continue their strong campaign, even with Lionel Messi starting from the substitutes’ bench. Simulations indicate Argentina has a 77.9 percent chance of victory, while Jordan, already eliminated, has an 8.8 percent chance of an upset.

Qualified Teams and Other Developments

As of June 27, 06:00 GMT, several teams have already secured their spots in the Round of 32. Confirmed group winners include Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, USA, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and France. Argentina is also a confirmed group winner.

Confirmed group runners-up are South Africa, Canada, Morocco, Australia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Egypt, and Cape Verde. Norway is also a confirmed group runner-up. Colombia, Portugal, England, and Ghana have qualified, with their group positions still to be determined.

The best third-placed teams that have qualified so far include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, Sweden, Paraguay, and Senegal.

Cape Verde has made history by reaching the knockout stage in their first World Cup, becoming the smallest country by population to do so. They finished unbeaten on three points, placing second in Group H behind Spain. Their next challenge will be against defending champions Argentina in the Round of 32 in Miami Gardens, Florida, on July 3.

Iran’s hopes of progressing to the Round of 32 are still alive but depend on other results. They drew 1-1 with Egypt after a dramatic stoppage-time goal was disallowed following a VAR review, leaving them third in Group G with three points. For Iran to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams, specific outcomes are needed from Saturday’s matches, including a defeat for Croatia against Ghana in Group L, or DR Congo failing to beat Uzbekistan in Group K without a seven-goal margin for Uzbekistan, or either Austria or Algeria winning their final match in Group J.

Iran captain Mehdi Taremi has criticized FIFA regarding logistical issues faced by his team.