Predictions
June 27 Preview: Groups J, K, L Close the Group Stage — Colombia vs Portugal Headlines
The group stage signs off on June 27 with Groups J, K and L. Argentina are already through, Colombia and Portugal collide for top spot in Group K, and England, Ghana and Croatia are locked in a three-way fight for two places in Group L.
The 2026 World Cup group stage reaches its finish line on Saturday, June 27. The last six matches — Groups J, K and L — will complete the round-of-32 field and lock in the best third-placed qualifiers. As always on a final group day, the two games in each group kick off at the same time. Below is the schedule in US Eastern Time, with only confirmed facts — no predicted scores.
The June 27 schedule (ET)
| Time | Match | Group | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5:00 PM | Panama vs England | L | MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
| 5:00 PM | Croatia vs Ghana | L | Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia |
| 7:30 PM | Colombia vs Portugal | K | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| 7:30 PM | DR Congo vs Uzbekistan | K | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta |
| 10:00 PM | Jordan vs Argentina | J | AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX |
| 10:00 PM | Algeria vs Austria | J | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
Group J: Argentina cruise, Austria and Algeria scrap for second
Argentina are already through with a perfect six points and a +5 goal difference after wins over Algeria (3-0) and Austria (2-0). Behind them, the runners-up spot is a straight shootout: Austria and Algeria are level on three points, with Austria ahead on goal difference (0 to −2).
| Pos | Team | Pld | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Argentina | 2 | +5 | 6 |
| 2 | Austria | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 3 | Algeria | 2 | −2 | 3 |
| 4 | Jordan | 2 | −3 | 0 |
Austria face Algeria in Kansas City in what is effectively a knockout match for second place, while Jordan — bottom on zero points — take on Argentina in Arlington needing a win and a stack of favours elsewhere just to keep slim third-place hopes alive.
Group K: Colombia vs Portugal for top spot
The pick of the day. Colombia (six points) and Portugal (four) meet in Miami with first place — and a kinder knockout route — on the line. Colombia have won both games; Portugal bounced back from an opening 1-1 draw with DR Congo by thrashing Uzbekistan 5-0.
| Pos | Team | Pld | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colombia | 2 | +3 | 6 |
| 2 | Portugal | 2 | +5 | 4 |
| 3 | DR Congo | 2 | −1 | 1 |
| 4 | Uzbekistan | 2 | 0* | 0 |
Colombia need only avoid a heavy defeat to be sure of going through; a win seals top spot. Portugal, with the group’s best goal difference, are all but qualified themselves but want to avoid second and a likely tougher last-32 tie. In the other game, DR Congo keep faint hopes alive against already-eliminated Uzbekistan but need results to fall their way. (Uzbekistan’s goal difference is −7.)
Group L: England, Ghana and Croatia in a three-way fight
The tightest group of the lot. England and Ghana lead on four points, with Croatia a point back on three and all three still able to finish in the top two.
| Pos | Team | Pld | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | England | 2 | +2 | 4 |
| 2 | Ghana | 2 | +1 | 4 |
| 3 | Croatia | 2 | −1 | 3 |
| 4 | Panama | 2 | −2 | 0 |
England, who beat Croatia 4-2 before a goalless draw with Ghana, face bottom side Panama at MetLife and will fancy their chances of topping the group. But a Croatia win over Ghana in Philadelphia would throw everything open — 2018 finalists Croatia know a victory could vault them past both rivals depending on the MetLife scoreline. Panama, on zero points, need a win over England to cling to any hope.
What to watch for
- Colombia vs Portugal — the only top-two heavyweight clash of the day, and the most attractive fixture on the schedule.
- Croatia’s revival bid — the 2018 finalists must beat Ghana to survive a brutal group.
- The best third-placed picture — June 27’s results finalise which four of the third-placed sides join the round of 32. Once the dust settles, the full knockout bracket is set.
For how the rest of the field shook out, see our Groups G & H wrap and Group I wrap.
Schedule, venues and standings above are confirmed facts, cross-checked against official FIFA data and major outlets (FIFA.com, ESPN, Wikipedia). This preview contains no predicted or estimated scores.