BY KUNLE SOLAJA.

Ticket prices for next week’s FIFA World Cup Round of 32 clash between Portugal and Croatia have surged to record levels on resale platforms, fuelled by the prospect of a showdown between football icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric.

According to data from ticket-tracking website Ticketdata, the average price of the cheapest available resale ticket had climbed to $3,225 by late Saturday, making it the most expensive Round of 32 match of the tournament so far.

The spike came after Portugal were held to a draw by Colombia in Miami, a result that left Cristiano Ronaldo’s side as runners-up in Group K. Croatia also finished second in their group after defeating Ghana, setting up a blockbuster knockout encounter at Toronto Stadium on July 2.

The match will reunite Ronaldo and Modric, former teammates at Real Madrid who won multiple UEFA Champions League titles together and are widely regarded among the greatest players of their generation.

Ticketdata, which compiles information from resale platforms including StubHub and Vivid, reported that the average price for the cheapest ticket more than doubled following the conclusion of Portugal’s group-stage campaign.

The sharp increase highlights the impact of FIFA’s dynamic pricing model, introduced for the 2026 World Cup. The system allows ticket prices to fluctuate with demand, a practice commonly used at North American sports and entertainment events.

Demand throughout the tournament has already driven resale prices for several group-stage matches above $1,000, with the Ronaldo-Modric encounter now setting a new benchmark for knockout-stage fixtures.

The soaring prices have renewed debate over the affordability of attending the World Cup. Earlier analyses indicated that rising ticket and accommodation costs are increasingly placing the tournament beyond the reach of many traditional supporters, potentially reshaping the profile of World Cup spectators.

FIFA has repeatedly advised fans to use only its official ticket resale platform, stressing that it is the sole marketplace through which the governing body can guarantee the secure transfer and delivery of tickets.

With two of football’s most celebrated veterans set to meet on the World Cup stage, demand shows little sign of easing as supporters scramble for a chance to witness what could be one of the tournament’s most memorable knockout ties.

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Austria and Algeria put aside fears of a repeat of the infamous 1982 “Disgrace of Gijon” by serving up one of the most dramatic matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, drawing 3-3 in a result that sent both teams into the Round of 32.

In a thrilling Group J finale on Saturday, Austria twice took the lead only for Algeria to fight back. When captain Riyad Mahrez struck in the 93rd minute to put the North Africans 3-2 ahead, Austria appeared destined for elimination.

But substitute Sasa Kalajdzic had other ideas. Introduced moments earlier, the towering striker scored with his first touch in the 96th minute to rescue a draw and secure Austria’s passage as group runners-up, while Algeria advanced among the tournament’s best third-placed teams.

“It was a serious, disciplined performance. We were solid,” Mahrez said. “In the end, we could have won it, but it’s a draw. The most important thing is to go through.”

The encounter had attracted attention because of memories of the controversial 1982 World Cup match between West Germany and Austria, whose result eliminated Algeria and prompted FIFA to introduce simultaneous final group games.

Instead of controversy, fans witnessed a six-goal thriller packed with twists and turns.

“I’m extremely happy that at the end it was football that won,” Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic said. “3-3 as a score says it all.”

Austria coach Ralf Rangnick was left astonished by the late drama, saying he had “no words” to describe an ending that midfielder Marcel Sabitzer suggested was beyond even the imagination of filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock.

The result also had consequences elsewhere, with Iran missing out on a place among the best third-placed teams after Algeria failed to hold onto their late lead.

While debate continues over the expanded 48-team World Cup format and its uneven scheduling, Austria and Algeria delivered a reminder that football’s unpredictability remains one of the game’s greatest attractions.

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BY KUNLE SOLAJA, NEW YORK

Democratic Republic of Congo coach Sebastien Desabre said his side would waste no time celebrating their historic World Cup breakthrough as preparations begin immediately for a daunting Round of 32 clash against England.

The Congolese secured their place in the knockout stages with a spirited 3-1 comeback victory over Uzbekistan on Saturday, finishing among the tournament’s eight best third-placed teams and earning a meeting with Thomas Tuchel’s England in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Fresh from guiding DR Congo to their first-ever World Cup victory, Desabre praised his players for their resilience and unity before turning his attention to one of football’s traditional powers.

“We’ll start work immediately on preparing. We’ve got a few players in the squad who play at clubs in the English league, so they will help us, but we’ll prepare in the best way we can for what is going to be a very big match for us,” Desabre told reporters.

The victory was spearheaded by Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa, who struck twice as DR Congo recovered from an early setback to claim all three points and keep their World Cup dream alive.

Desabre interrupted the opening moments of his post-match press conference to salute his players, many of whom have been together throughout his four-year tenure.

“Before answering, I’d like to congratulate my players for their work. It’s a squad that’s been together for four years, and we have always kept on believing,” he said.

“The win means a lot to the country, and the victory was quite wonderful. It’s very positive, and we showed a good image of Congo.”

DR Congo endured a difficult opening to the match, conceding after only 10 minutes as Uzbekistan took advantage of space in midfield. But Desabre insisted he remained calm, confident that his pre-match planning would eventually tilt the contest in his team’s favour.

“Of course, you are never sure of winning, but what is clear is that we made a mistake in giving them too much space early on,” he explained.

“But since the start of this World Cup, we’ve planned to use players in this match who did not get to play in the first two games against Portugal and Colombia.

“To have fresh players provided us with an advantage, and it was quite logical that we should go on and win.”

The victory has sparked excitement across the Central African nation, but an even greater challenge now awaits against an England side that topped Group L and entered the knockout rounds among the tournament favourites.

Yet DR Congo will take encouragement from Africa’s growing record against elite opposition at the World Cup and from England’s mixed history against teams from the continent.

England’s World Cup encounters with African nations have often been more difficult than expected. Their first such meeting came in 1986 when they defeated Morocco 1-0 in the round of 16. Four years later they edged Cameroon 3-2 after extra time in a dramatic quarter-final in Italy.

Since then, England have frequently struggled to impose themselves against African opposition. They were held 0-0 by Nigeria in the group stage in 2002, drew 2-2 with Sweden-based Tunisia? No, they beat Tunisia 2-0 in 1998, before later overcoming Tunisia 2-1 in their 2018 opener through a stoppage-time Harry Kane winner.

England were also frustrated by Algeria in a goalless draw at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, one of the most disappointing performances of their campaign.

Overall, England have rarely lost to African opponents at the World Cup but have often found them stubborn and difficult to break down. Their record includes victories over Morocco, Cameroon and Tunisia, alongside draws against Nigeria and Algeria.

For DR Congo, Wednesday’s contest represents an opportunity to create another landmark moment in the nation’s football history. Victory would make them one of the few African nations to eliminate England from a major tournament and would further underline the continent’s growing influence on the world stage.

For England, meanwhile, the challenge will be avoiding the complacency that has troubled several traditional powers at this expanded World Cup as they seek to prevent DR Congo’s remarkable journey from continuing into the last 16.

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