Soccer fans across the globe are turning their eyes to Lisbon’s Alvalade Stadium, where Portugal and Hungary are set to clash in a pivotal Matchday 4 encounter of the 2026 UEFA World Cup Qualifiers. With both teams riding high on recent successes and World Cup dreams hanging in the balance, this fixture promises drama, tension, and a showcase of some of Europe’s top footballing talent. The match kicks off at 2:45 PM Eastern Time, Tuesday, October 14, 2025, and viewers in the United States can catch the action live on Prime Video, Fubo, or ViX, ensuring no one misses a single moment of this high-stakes battle.
Portugal enters this contest as the group’s frontrunner, boasting a flawless record of nine points from their first three matches. Their latest outing saw them edge past Ireland with a hard-fought 1-0 victory on October 11, 2025, a testament to their resilience and tactical discipline. Under the guidance of coach Roberto Martínez, the Portuguese squad has demonstrated both flexibility and a relentless drive, key attributes that have kept them unbeaten so far in qualifying.
But complacency is a luxury Portugal can ill afford. Hungary, their determined opponents, arrive in Lisbon with momentum on their side, eager to extend their own winning streak and keep their World Cup ambitions alive. A recent 2-0 triumph over Armenia on October 11, 2025, has boosted Hungarian confidence, and with coach Marco Rossi at the helm, the Magyars are ready to challenge the group leaders head-on.
Looking at the probable lineups, Portugal is expected to field a star-studded eleven: Diogo Costa in goal; a back line featuring Gonçalo Inacio, Rúben Dias, Nuno Mendes, and Diogo Dalot; a midfield anchored by Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, and Rúben Neves; and a formidable attacking trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, and Pedro Neto. Notably, João Félix has recovered and is set to train, while Inácio and Rafael are being monitored for minor issues, according to coach Martínez. “João Félix has recovered and will train. We'll keep Gonçalo and Rafael in mind. Inácio performed well against Ireland and has a minor problem, but he needs to recover. Rafael is in the same situation. He was very good in the match, but he hasn't played much against Milan. It doesn't make sense to risk it,” Martínez explained.
Hungary, meanwhile, is likely to start with Balazs Toth between the posts; defenders Attila Szalai, Willi Orbán, Milos Kerkez, and Loïc Négo; midfielders Alex Tóth, Callum Styles, András Schäfer, and Daniel Lukacs; and forwards Dominik Szoboszlai and Bendegúz Bolla. The Hungarian squad, led by their talisman Szoboszlai, will look to disrupt Portugal’s rhythm and capitalize on any defensive lapses.
The coaches’ pre-match comments set the tone for what is at stake. Hungary’s Marco Rossi was candid about the pressure and the need for unity: “The guys worked well all week, but there are still some issues I haven't made a final decision on yet. I need to decide who will be left out of the squad and also choose a striker—I'll make that decision after the final training session.” He added, “There's no point in looking back at previous matches. If we want to make the playoffs, we need to win this one. We need to control the ball, dictate the tempo, but play patiently. The main thing is not to lose our heads and stick to the plan. If we attack and defend as a unit, we can win.”
On the other side, Roberto Martínez acknowledged Hungary’s counterattacking threat and reflected on the need for defensive improvement: “Hungary needs very little to reach our goal with quality and score goals. Hungary's counterattack is one of the best in Europe, and we've seen that in other matches. In the other game, we deserved the win; we could have defended better. The rest of the game was very good; we scored goals from open play. We did what we prepared and demonstrated what we trained. We need to improve defensively, especially when they're on the counterattack.”
Recent history between the two sides adds another layer of intrigue. Portugal has enjoyed the upper hand, winning 3-2 in Budapest on September 9, 2025, during the current qualifying campaign. Looking further back, the Portuguese prevailed 3-0 at Euro 2021, and their last World Cup qualifying encounters have also tilted in their favor. Yet, Hungary’s spirited performances, including a 2-2 draw with Ireland and a 2-0 win over Armenia, show they are not to be underestimated.
Portugal’s recent form has been nothing short of impressive. After dispatching Armenia 5-0 and Hungary 3-2 in September, they held Spain to a 2-2 draw in the UEFA Nations League and edged out Germany 2-1. Their attacking prowess, led by the evergreen Cristiano Ronaldo, continues to strike fear into opponents. However, as Martínez emphasized, defensive solidity will be crucial against a Hungarian side known for rapid transitions and clinical counterattacks.
Hungary’s journey to Lisbon has been marked by resilience and tactical discipline. Despite losing 3-2 to Portugal last month, they bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Armenia and a hard-fought 2-2 draw with Ireland. Their backline, marshaled by Orbán and Szalai, has grown in confidence, while Szoboszlai’s creativity and leadership in midfield remain central to their hopes.
The stakes could not be higher. For Portugal, a win would strengthen their grip on the group and move them one step closer to World Cup qualification. For Hungary, three points would keep playoff hopes alive and send a clear message to the rest of the group. As Rossi put it, “If we want to make the playoffs, we need to win this one.”
As kickoff approaches, anticipation is building both in Lisbon and across the footballing world. Will Portugal’s stars shine once more, or can Hungary spring an upset and shake up the group standings? With both teams fielding strong lineups and the pressure mounting, fans can expect a fiercely contested battle with no shortage of drama.
For now, all eyes are on Alvalade Stadium as Portugal and Hungary prepare to write the next chapter in their World Cup qualifying story. The match is underway, and with so much at stake, every pass, tackle, and goal could prove decisive in the race to reach the world’s biggest stage.
