Spain vs Portugal: 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Preview, Date, TV Channels, Predicted Lineups & Quarter-Final Chances

Match Introduction: Iberian Derby in Dallas

The 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 delivers the biggest derby on the planet. Spain vs Portugal at Dallas Stadium. This is more than football. This is tiki-taka vs counter-attack. Youth vs Experience. Lamine Yamal vs Cristiano Ronaldo.

Spain arrive as European Champions with the youngest and most exciting squad. Pedri, Lamine Yamal, and Nico Williams give them speed and magic. Rodri controls everything in midfield. Luis de la Fuente’s team plays brave, attacking football.

Portugal arrive with their golden generation and the last dance of Cristiano Ronaldo. With Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leao, Portugal can kill you on transitions. Roberto Martinez has built a team around Ronaldo’s leadership and Portugal’s individual quality.

This is a 50/50 game. Winner goes to the Quarter-Finals. Loser goes home.

Spain vs Portugal: Match Details

• Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 – Round of 16
• Fixture: Spain vs Portugal
• Date: Monday, July 6, 2026
• Kick-off Time: 10:00 PM Local Time | 6:00 AM Tuesday KSA/Spain/Portugal Time
• Stadium: Dallas Stadium, Dallas, USA

TV Channels and Live Broadcast

Fans in the MENA region can watch the match live on:

• beIN SPORTS MAX 1 HD – Commentary: Essam El Shawali
• beIN SPORTS MAX 3 HD – Commentary: Hassan Al Aidroos

The game will also be streamed live on beIN CONNECT.

Predicted Lineups

Spain Predicted Lineup 4-3-3

Goalkeeper: Unai Simon
Defense: Pedro Porro, Pau Cubarsi, Aymeric Laporte, Marc Cucurella
Midfield: Rodri, Pedri Gonzalez, Dani Olmo
Attack: Lamine Yamal, Alex Baena, Mikel Oyarzabal

Tactical Note: Spain will have 65%+ possession. Rodri and Pedri dictate tempo. Yamal and Baena provide width and 1v1. Oyarzabal plays as a false 9 to drag defenders. Cubarsi and Laporte must be perfect vs Ronaldo and Leao counters.

Portugal Predicted Lineup 4-3-3

Goalkeeper: Diogo Costa
Defense: Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes
Midfield: Ruben Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes
Attack: Pedro Neto, Rafael Leao, Cristiano Ronaldo

Tactical Note: Portugal will sit in a 4-3-3 and counter. Bruno and Vitinha feed Leao and Neto. Cancelo and Mendes give width. Everything goes through Ronaldo in the box. Ruben Dias is key to stopping Spain’s passing.

Performance Analysis in the Tournament

Spain

Spain have been the best attacking team so far. They average 18 shots per game and dominate possession. Yamal is the breakout star. The only weakness: they can be exposed on the counter if full-backs push too high.

Portugal

Portugal have been clinical. They don’t dominate games but they win them. Ronaldo has 3 goals. Bruno Fernandes has 4 assists. Their defense with Ruben Dias is solid. The big question: can their midfield keep up with Spain’s passing for 90 minutes?

Head-to-Head Record

Spain and Portugal always produce classics. Last meeting was 3-3 in 2018 World Cup with a Ronaldo hat-trick.

• Total Meetings: 40
• Spain Wins: 17
• Portugal Wins: 6
• Draws: 17

Who Has a Better Chance to Reach the Quarter-Finals?

Spain’s Chances: 55%

Spain are slight favorites because of form, age, and system. Their path:
1. Control midfield: If Rodri and Pedri win vs Bruno and Vitinha, Spain win.
2. Exploit space behind Cancelo: Yamal vs Cancelo is the key duel.
3. Score first: If Spain score, Portugal have to open up.

Portugal’s Chances: 45%

Portugal are dangerous because of individual quality. Their path:
1. Defend deep and counter: Leao and Neto have pace to hurt Spain.
2. Bruno Fernandes magic: One pass can change the game.
3. Ronaldo in the box: If they get crosses in, he scores.

If the game goes to penalties, Portugal with Diogo Costa have an edge.

Prediction & Outlook

Expect a tactical war. Spain will pass, Portugal will wait. The first 20 minutes decide everything. This will be decided by one moment of magic.

Prediction: Spain 2-1 Portugal. Yamal and Pedri to shine, Ronaldo to score but Spain go through to the Quarter-Finals.

FAQ

When is Spain vs Portugal?

Monday, July 6, 2026, at 10:00 PM in Dallas for the World Cup Round of 16.

What channel is Spain vs Portugal on?

beIN SPORTS MAX 1 HD with Essam El Shawali and beIN SPORTS MAX 3 HD with Hassan Al Aidroos.

What are the predicted lineups?

Spain 4-3-3: Unai Simon; Porro, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Pedri, Olmo; Yamal, Baena, Oyarzabal. Portugal 4-3-3: Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Bruno; Neto, Leao, Ronaldo.