FIFA World Cup 2026: Messi rested, Ronaldo eyes Group K
The FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage ends Saturday with six matches across Groups J, K and L before the Round of 32 begins. Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal against Colombia for Group K top spot in new golden boots, Lionel Messi starts on the bench as Argentina face eliminated Jordan, and England, Croatia and Ghana still have places to settle. Saturday is the last chance for several nations to lock in knockout seeding before the expanded tournament moves into the Round of 32.
Key Takeaways
- Saturday is the final FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage day, with six simultaneous pairings across Groups J, K and L.
- Lionel Messi will begin on the substitutes' bench as already-qualified Argentina close Group J against Jordan.
- Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal must beat Colombia to win Group K; a draw would hand Colombia first place.
- Twenty-eight teams had reached the Round of 32 by early Saturday, with final third-place berths still in play.
- Every match airs on FOX or FS1 and streams live on FOX One.
Why is Lionel Messi starting on the bench?
Argentina have already clinched Group J and Jordan are eliminated, making Jordan vs Argentina a dead rubber in Dallas. ESPN reports Lionel Messi will start on the bench as Lionel Scaloni rests his captain ahead of the knockouts.
Al Jazeera confirms Messi will begin from the substitutes' bench even though Argentina remain overwhelming favourites. Messi leads the tournament scoring chart with five goals — all of Argentina's goals so far — and became the World Cup's all-time leading scorer with 18 career goals after netting against Austria.
Can Cristiano Ronaldo seal Group K against Colombia?
Portugal and Colombia meet at Miami Stadium in one of the day's most anticipated finales. Colombia have already qualified and can top Group K with a draw; Portugal are essentially through after their 5-0 win over Uzbekistan but need victory to claim the group.
ESPN frames Ronaldo's new golden boots as part of the day's storyline as he targets top spot. DR Congo and Uzbekistan, playing simultaneously in Atlanta, are both chasing a first World Cup win and a possible third-place route into the knockouts.
What is Saturday's full schedule?
Panama vs England (5 p.m. ET, FOX) and Croatia vs Ghana (5 p.m. ET, FS1) decide Group L, where England are through but can still win the group. Colombia vs Portugal (7:30 p.m. ET, FOX) and DR Congo vs Uzbekistan (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1) wrap up Group K.
Jordan vs Argentina (10 p.m. ET, FOX) and Algeria vs Austria (10 p.m. ET, FS1) close Group J in Dallas and Kansas City. FOX Sports notes all six games stream on FOX One, which offers multiview and real-time stats for viewers following the Future Tech & AI Wonders beat.
Who has already reached the Round of 32?
As of early Saturday, Al Jazeera listed 28 qualified teams including confirmed group winners Mexico, Switzerland, Brazil, USA, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, France and Argentina. Colombia, Portugal, England and Ghana had secured knockout berths but still had group positions to settle.
Five best third-placed sides — Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, Sweden, Paraguay and Senegal — were also through. Cape Verde made history by becoming the smallest nation by population to reach the knockout stage. Full standings and Opta predictions are available via Al Jazeera's matchday guide.