Former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia expressed confidence in Portugal’s chances at the FIFA World Cup 2026 title despite their inconsistent group-stage performance. Portugal is set to face Croatia in a crucial Round of 32 match in Toronto, which could potentially be the final World Cup appearance for Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric, two football icons.
Portugal advanced to the knockout stage after a mixed group campaign, including a draw against DR Congo, a 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan, and a loss to Colombia. Bhutia believes Portugal has the potential to elevate their game in the knockout rounds and showcase a different level of performance.
While acknowledging Ronaldo’s record-breaking feats, Bhutia emphasized that Portugal’s strength lies in the collective quality of the team rather than just relying on their captain. He highlighted the need for Portugal’s midfield to consistently create scoring opportunities for Ronaldo.
Croatia, on the other hand, secured their Round of 32 spot with wins over Ghana and Panama after an initial defeat to England. Bhutia noted Croatia’s historical resilience but expressed doubts about their current squad’s quality compared to previous iterations. He emphasized the importance of Luka Modric making a significant impact for Croatia to succeed against Portugal.
Bhutia also pointed out Portugal’s attacking prowess as a key factor in the upcoming match, highlighting the need for faster transitions and an improved defensive midfield to strengthen their overall gameplay.
