Portugal vs Uzbekistan, June 23: NRG Stadium Time + Fan Guide
Portugal play Uzbekistan in Group K on June 23, 2026 at 1 p.m. ET, NRG Stadium, Houston. After a 1-1 draw with DR Congo, Portugal need a win. Kickoff time, getting there, and the one eSIM for Houston.
Published June 23, 2026·5 min read
Summary
Portugal play Uzbekistan in Group K at 1 p.m. ET on June 23, 2026 at NRG Stadium in Houston. After a 1-1 draw with DR Congo, Portugal need a win to take control of the group. Here's the storyline, how to reach the stadium, and the one eSIM that keeps you online in Houston and every other host city.
The match: what's at stake
Portugal arrived in the USA among the tournament favorites but stumbled on Matchday 1, drawing DR Congo 1-1 while Colombia beat Uzbekistan 3-1 to top Group K. That math is simple: a Portugal win over Uzbekistan reopens the group before the June 27 decider against Colombia. Uzbekistan, playing their first World Cup, will sit deep and counter — their 3-1 loss to Colombia flattered the scoreline. Full scenarios are in our Group K June 23 permutations.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Kickoff | 1 p.m. ET, June 23, 2026 |
| Venue | NRG Stadium, Houston, TX |
| Stage | Group K, Matchday 2 |
| Matchday 1 | Portugal 1-1 DR Congo · Colombia 3-1 Uzbekistan |
Getting to NRG Stadium
The 1 p.m. kickoff means a hot, humid Houston afternoon — the stadium roof should be closed, but the walk in is not. The easiest route is the METRORail Red Lineto the Stadium Park/Astrodome stop, roughly 20 minutes from Downtown. If you're driving, see our parking and rideshare guide, and plan to hydrate using the Houston heat guide. Staying a few days? Our base-camp neighborhoods guide covers where to stay.
eSIM vs roaming vs pocket Wi-Fi for World Cup travel
| Option | Cost | Setup time | Coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM | Low | ~5 min (pre-install on Wi-Fi) | Excellent (local carrier) |
| Carrier roaming | High | Instant (already enabled) | Medium (partner-dependent) |
| Pocket Wi-Fi | Medium | Airport pickup / rental | Good (extra device to charge) |
Mobile tickets in the FIFA World Cup 26™ app, live transit times, rideshare, and group chats with your crew all run on data — and NRG Stadium's Wi-Fi crawls when 70,000 fans share it at once. A North America eSIM keeps you online on a local network in Houston and across the US, Canada, and Mexico on one plan, so you never swap SIMs between host cities. From US$5 with Apple Pay, Google Pay, or card — compare options in our Houston connectivity guide.
FAQ
QWhen and where is Portugal vs Uzbekistan at the World Cup 2026?
APortugal vs Uzbekistan kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on June 23, 2026 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. It is a Group K Matchday 2 fixture.
QWhat does Portugal need against Uzbekistan?
AA win. Portugal drew DR Congo 1-1 on Matchday 1, so three points against Uzbekistan would put them in command of Group K before the June 27 decider against Colombia.
QHow do I get to NRG Stadium for the match?
ATake Houston's METRORail Red Line to the Stadium Park/Astrodome station, about 20 minutes from Downtown. Rideshare and paid lots also work, but rail avoids post-match traffic on Kirby Drive and the 610 Loop.
QWhat eSIM should I use in Houston for the World Cup?
AA North America eSIM covers the USA on local networks and also works in Canada and Mexico on the same plan. It keeps you online at NRG Stadium and across every other 2026 host city without swapping SIMs. Plans start around US$5.
Bottom line
Portugal vs Uzbekistan opens a four-match June 23 slate and is must-win for Portugal. Take the Red Line to NRG Stadium, follow the Colombia vs DR Congonightcap that completes the group's Matchday 2, and grab a World Cup 2026 eSIM for every host city on one plan.