Portugal vs. Uzbekistan in World Cup: Players to watch, what to know

Portugal will face Uzbekistan, which dropped its opener to Colombia, at noon on Tuesday at Reliant Stadium. Fans of both teams will have walks to the stadium.

Here’s what to know and who and how to watch:

Time: Noon, Tuesday
Where: Reliant Stadium (or Houston Stadium in FIFA-speak)
TV: Fox and Telemundo
Streaming: Peacock

FIFA ranking: No. 5
Confederation: UEFA (Europe)
World Cup appearances: 9
Best finish: Third place (1966)
Base camp site: Gardens North County District Park (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.)
Overview: Roberto Martínez coached Belgium during its reign as world No. 1 from late 2018 to early 2022. Soon after he stepped down, Portugal came calling. The Portuguese won the UEFA Nations League in 2025 under Martinez’s direction

Cristiano Ronaldo: At 41, Ronaldo is in his sixth World Cup but has yet to win a title. He was held scoreless in opener.
Bruno Fernandes: A midfielder, Fernandes set the Premier League’s assist record for Manchester United.
Bernardo Silva: Another midfielder, Silva is apparently headed to Real Madrid from Manchester City.
Nuno Mendes: One of the top left-backs in the world, Mendes is coming off a stellar season with Paris Saint-Germain.
Vitinha: Another Paris Saint-Germain star, Vitinha was third in voting for Ballon d’Or, as the European season’s top player.
João Neves: The midfielder is the third member of Paris Saint-Germain on the Portugal side and scored Portugal’s lone goal in opener.

FIFA ranking: No. 50
Confederation: AFC (Asia)
World Cup appearances: 1
Best finish: N/A
Base camp site: Atlanta United Training Center (Marietta, Ga.)
Overview: Uzbekistan made the cut in its eighth try since gaining independence from the dissolved Soviet Union in the 1990s. Fabio Cannavaro, appointed as head coach in October, won the Ballon d’Or as an elite defenseman in 2006 and hoisted the World Cup that same year with Italy. He is one of only three defenders to win the Ballon d’Or since it was first awarded in 1956. This is Cannavaro’s first national team coaching gig.

Eldo Shomurodov: A seasoned forward, Shomurodov is a three-time Uzbekistan Player of the Year.
Abdukodir Khusanov: At age 22, the rising defender is currently at Manchester City in the Premier League.
Abbosbek Fayzullaev: Fayzullaev is one of the fastest players in the tournament and scored Uzbek’s lone goal against Colombia.