World Cup 2026 Daily Guide 6/23/26: Harry Kane, Cristiano Ronaldo get another shot

Monday was a historic day at World Cup 2026, as Lionel Messi broke the all-time goals record, netting the 17th (and 18th) of his career. Not to be outdone, France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland each cashed in two, keeping the Golden Boot race within one goal. Now, can England’s Harry Kane keep pace? Can someone from Portugal join the conversation? We’ll find out on Day 13.

Here is your World Cup 2026 Daily Guide: What to watch for on 6/23/26.

World Cup matches on 6/23/26

Portugal vs. Uzbekistan — Houston, Texas — 1 pm ET (FOX, Telemundo)

Odds: Portugal -700, Draw +750, Uzbekistan +1800

England vs. Ghana — Boston, Massachusetts — 4 pm ET (FOX, Telemundo)

Odds: England -525, Draw +600, Ghana +1500

Panama vs. Croatia — Toronto, Canada — 7 pm ET (FOX, Telemundo)

Odds: Panama +600, Draw +240, Croatia -205

Colombia vs. DR Congo — Guadalajara, Mexico — 10 pm ET (FS1, Telemundo)

Odds: Colombia -185, Draw +300, DR Congo +600

Odds via DraftKings

3 things to watch for on World Cup 2026 Day 13

Here are three things to watch for and fun facts to amaze and entertain your friends with on Day 13 of the 2026 World Cup.

Will Cristiano Ronaldo start for Portugal?

The biggest question heading into the back end of this group of matches centers on Cristiano Ronaldo. As his nemesis, Lionel Messi, is smashing records and scoring (literally) every goal for Argentina, CR7 is struggling. He was ineffective at best in the team’s opening draw with DR Congo and, at worst, played so selfishly that he cost Portugal scoring opportunities.

At this point in his career, it seems as though Ronaldo’s best role would be coming in off the bench if Portugal were desperate for a goal late. However, it’s fair to note that Ronaldo didn’t become some fans’ GOAT by coming off the bench.

This should be Portugal’s easiest match of the Group Stage, so maybe it makes sense to give Ronaldo one more chance to fit in with the squad a bit more. That’s a dangerous game for manager Roberto Martinez to play, though, because if Ronaldo again plays poorly or worse, Portugal again fails to get three points, there will be. major trouble for the Iberians.

Is England as dangerous as it seems?

England has Harry Kane, who is the best striker in the world right now. For most teams, that is often enough to make a deep run in the World Cup. However, what England showed in their opener against Croatia is that they have waves of attackers that even a squad like France might not be able to match.

Noni Madueke, Anthony Gordon, Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Jude Bellingham, and Morgan Rogers all looked dangerous at times during the Three Lions’ 4-2 win over Croatia. That said, the defense and goalkeeping also looked shaky on occasion.

That may not matter much, though, if England can just outscore everyone. If they can put a beating on Ghana on Tuesday, that may go a long way toward showing England has a dangerous enough attack to go all the way.

Can Croatia get back on track?

Against England, the once-mighty Croatia looked old and slow. Led by 40-year-old Luka Modric, who gave away a penalty early and didn’t seem dangerous all match, the Croats looked like a team that may be in a low-end transition period. In addition to Modric, Croatia also played Ivan Perišić (37), Andrej Kramarić (35), Mateo Kovačić (32), and Dominik Livaković (31).

This team does have young talent, too, though. Martin Baturina (23) scored a goal, and the team started players like Joško Gvardiol (24), Petar Sučić (22), and Luka Vušković (19). Manager Zlatko Dalić needs to figure out a way to transition from the older group to the younger players while still getting results at World Cup 2026, which is much easier said than done.

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