Bernardo Silva expected to start for Portugal vs Croatia in FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 32 fixture

Bernardo Silva’s game time in World Cup 2026 is less than an hour

Toronto Stadium in Canada gears up to host the Round of 32 fixtures, where Portugal take on back-to-back medalists Croatia in what is set to be a thrilling contest between these two sides.

Portugal are one of the favourites to win the FIFA World Cup 2026. However, the UEFA Nations League winners have failed to impress much in the group stages. A draw in the opening game against Congo and a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan meant that a win was mandatory to grab the top spot, leapfrogging Colombia.

But the South American giants emerged as the better side in the game, and the game ended in a goalless draw. Portugal finished second in Group K, and now their championship hopes have been hit by a major blow. However, they are still alive and Roberto Martinez’s men must take the hard way to get things done.

Croatia may look like a squad boasting their fading golden generation. But they are an extremely good side when it comes to big tournaments. In the last two World Cups, they are the only team, apart from France, to win back-to-back medals.

Portugal’s strength lies in its midfield, and their midfield has yet to shine and impress much. There are reports that Silva is expected to start the game for Portugal against Croatia. In this news, we find out more about it and also why starting Silva can be a game changer for Portugal.

Will Silva start for Portugal against Croatia?

There is a high chance that Bernardo Silva is set to make a return to Roberto Martinez’s starting lineup in the next game against Croatia. The Lisbon-born midfielder is yet to impress much. He started the game against Congo and had a pretty underwhelming outing, which saw him getting benched in the first half.

Against Uzbekistan, he was brought in as a substitute in the final quarter, and he did not get a single minute against Colombia. Critics have raised eyebrows over Martinez’s decision to bench a world-class midfielder like Silva based on one bad game, especially when other players are yet to shine.

The Manchester City midfielder made a high-profile move to Real Madrid in the last few days. He has won the English Premier League six times with City. As reports suggest, Bernardo Silva is expected to start for Portugal against Croatia.

Will Bernardo Silva be Portugal’s X Factor against Croatia?

Bringing Bernardo adds life to Portugal’s midfield. Silva has elite press resistance and ball retention abilities. It is never easy locking horns with one of the finest midfields of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Croatia boasts an experienced midfield including the likes of Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic.

Silva excels at drifting inside from the right wing to occupy the right half-space and his link-up play with Manchester United star Bruno is top class. It also allows Fernandes to operate in his preferred central advanced role without taking the creative burden.

Moreover, Silva is a world-class player who has so much experience playing across top European leagues. He has previously played many high-pressure knockout games for both Portugal and Manchester City. He knows how to perform at his best in such big games where there is no room for even the minutest of errors.