If the first week of the 2026 World Cup has taught us anything, it's that nobody is getting a free ride. Spain couldn't break down Cape Verde. Belgium dropped points. Uruguay needed a late goal just to avoid an opening loss. Then Tuesday swung the pendulum the other way, with France, Norway, and Argentina all showing exactly why they're viewed as serious contenders.
Now it's Wednesday's turn. Portugal finally takes the field. England gets an immediate test against Croatia. Ghana and Panama play in what could be one of the most important matches of Group L. Colombia closes the night against World Cup newcomer Uzbekistan.
It's also another big day for the individual award races. Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, and Lionel Messi all put themselves firmly into the Golden Boot conversation on Tuesday. By the end of tonight, Cristiano Ronaldo, Harry Kane, and Luis Diaz could be right there with them.
Worth Reading: World Cup Trading Tips: What to Know and Watch for at World Cup Prediction Markets
Portugal vs DR Congo Prediction
Portugal enters this tournament carrying the usual expectations. The difference this year is that those expectations feel justified. For years, Portugal often looked like a team built around Cristiano Ronaldo. This squad feels different. Ronaldo is still the face of the team, but the strength lies elsewhere. Bruno Fernandes pulls the strings. Vitinha and Joao Neves have become one of the best midfield combinations in international soccer.
Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leao can create problems from almost anywhere. That's what makes this opener difficult for DR Congo. To be fair, DR Congo isn't here by accident. This is a team that fought through a difficult qualification path and has enough athleticism and defensive discipline to make life annoying for the favorites.
We've already seen several underdogs frustrate bigger nations in this tournament. The challenge is sustaining that for 90 minutes. Eventually, Portugal will create opportunities. Eventually, somebody is going to find space. Once that happens, the game could open up quickly.
Trade Handle Pick: Portugal 3, DR Congo 1
Portugal vs DR Congo: How To Watch
Kickoff: 1:00 PM ET
TV: FOX, Telemundo
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
England vs Croatia Prediction
This feels like the match that could be much tighter than casual fans expect. England has more talent. Nobody is really arguing that. Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Phil Foden would start for almost anyone in the tournament. The problem is that Croatia has spent the better part of a decade making life miserable for more talented teams.
They've done it with discipline, experience, and an ability to stay in matches long enough to create opportunities. Luka Modric might not be the player he was in 2018, but Croatia still knows exactly who he is. That's why I don't see England coming out flying forward from the opening whistle. A point isn't ideal, but it wouldn't hurt either side.
Both teams know there are more important matches ahead, and neither wants to start the tournament by making a costly mistake. I think England controls more possession. I think Croatia creates fewer chances. I'm just not convinced either side does enough to separate itself.
Trade Handle Pick: England 1, Croatia 1
England vs Croatia: How To Watch
Kickoff: 4:00 PM ET
TV: FOX, Telemundo
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
Ghana vs Panama Prediction
There's a decent chance this ends up being one of the most important matches of the entire group stage. England and Croatia are the obvious favorites in Group L. That leaves Ghana and Panama fighting for what could realistically be one path into the knockout rounds. Because of that, this game feels bigger than it looks.
Ghana still has talented players. Antoine Semenyo can change a game. Jordan Ayew has plenty of international experience. The issue is that the Black Stars haven't looked particularly convincing lately, and their preparation for this tournament has been anything but smooth. Panama feels steadier.
Maybe not more talented. Maybe not more dangerous. Just steadier. Thomas Christiansen has had years to build this group, and you can see it when they play. The structure is there. The identity is there. They know what they're trying to do. In a match between two teams that probably aren't separated by much, that matters.
Trade Handle Pick: Panama 2, Ghana 1
Ghana vs Panama: How To Watch
Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET
TV: FS1, Telemundo
Location: BMO Field, Toronto, Canada
Uzbekistan vs Colombia Prediction
Every World Cup seems to produce one first-time participant that captures everyone's attention. Maybe that's Uzbekistan. Maybe it isn't. But this is a tough way to start. Colombia looks like one of the more overlooked teams in the tournament. Everyone talks about Argentina, Brazil, France, Spain, and England.
Colombia has quietly assembled a roster capable of causing problems for almost anybody. Luis Diaz is one of the most dangerous attackers in the competition. James Rodriguez still has moments where he can completely control a game. Luis Suarez is coming off a huge club season.
Uzbekistan deserves credit for getting here, and there are a few intriguing players on the roster, particularly Manchester City's Abdukodir Khusanov. But this feels like a hard-to-overcome talent gap. Colombia doesn't need to play perfectly. It just needs to avoid the type of slow start we've already seen from several favorites.
Trade Handle Pick: Colombia 3, Uzbekistan 1
Uzbekistan vs Colombia: How To Watch
Kickoff: 10:00 PM ET
TV: FS1, Telemundo
Location: Estadio Banorte, Mexico City, Mexico
The Trade Handle Prediction Markets Take
One thing that stands out about Wednesday's slate is that it feels less about championship favorites and more about positioning. Portugal and Colombia have opportunities to start strong. England and Croatia have a chance to grab control of Group L. Panama and Ghana may be playing for their tournament lives before the knockout stage even begins.
For USA fans, this is also the point where the bracket starts becoming more interesting. Potential opponents are beginning to emerge, and some of the teams taking the field today could easily show up later in the knockout rounds.
The same goes for the individual awards. Tuesday belonged to Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland. Wednesday gives Ronaldo, Kane, Bellingham, Diaz, and others a chance to make their own early push toward the Golden Boot and Golden Ball races.
Yesterday's World Cup Scores
Tuesday felt like a reminder that the biggest stars usually find a way onto the biggest stage.
- France 3, Senegal 1
- Norway 4, Iraq 1
- Argentina 3, Algeria 0
- Austria 3, Jordan 1
France got the result it expected, but Norway and Argentina may have made the bigger statements. Haaland scored twice in his World Cup debut, while Messi turned back the clock with a hat trick.
The headline, though, is simple, the favorites mostly handled business. After several days of surprises, Tuesday looked a lot more like what people expected this tournament to be.