Portugal face Croatia with Toronto turning red and green

A home game in Toronto, Croatia waiting

Two years after the 2024 shootout heartbreak, your team faces Croatia again. BMO Field will feel like Lisbon. Red and green everywhere. The Toronto Portuguese community have turned the streets into a pre-match party (2) (3). This is the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. No room for error. Diogo Jota will be honoured on the one-year anniversary of his death.

Diogo Costa, the penalty king

If it goes to 12 yards, you have the edge. Diogo Costa saved three penalties against Slovenia at Euro 2024. He is widely rated as one of the best shot-stoppers in the world and a genuine specialist from the spot. Martínez's tactical choices have drawn criticism, commentator André Pinotes Batista said ten coaches could do better with this squad, but Costa is the kind of player who silences doubters.

Three squad players up for sale

Samuel Portugal, Iván Jaime, and Gabriel Veron are out of the pre-season picture and have been told they can find new clubs (1). None of the three were expected near the national team setup, so the World Cup camp in Canada is unaffected.