Portugal begin their 2026 World Cup campaign with a meeting against DR Congo, and for Cristiano Ronaldo, the stakes could hardly be higher.
At 41, the Portugal captain is preparing for what is widely expected to be his final World Cup appearance.
He has won almost everything the game has to offer, but the one trophy missing from his collection is the biggest one of all. If Ronaldo is ever going to lift the World Cup, this feels like his last shot at making it happen.
Portugal arrive in Group K as clear favourites and will be expected to make a winning start against a DR Congo side playing at the World Cup for the first time in more than 50 years.
The African nation will not be short of belief, but they face a Portuguese squad packed with quality from front to back.
Of course, World Cups have a habit of ignoring the script. Just ask the millions of football fans who backed Spain to beat Cape Verde in their opening game.
For Portugal, though, this is a match they simply cannot afford to slip up in. Three points would settle any early nerves and keep Ronaldo’s dream alive for a little longer.
How to watch Portugal vs DR Congo
Portugal vs DR Congo kicks off at 18:00 BST on Wednesday, June 17, at the Houston Stadium.
The match will be shown live in the UK on BBC One. Fans can also stream the game via BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.
In the United States, the game will be shown on FOX or FS1, with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo or Universo and streaming via Peacock.
In Canada, World Cup coverage is available on TSN and RDS, with select matches also broadcast on CTV. Streaming is available via TSN, RDS, CTV and Crave.
Portugal team news
One of Portugal’s biggest strengths is the sheer quality available throughout the squad.
While most international teams would be delighted to have one elite midfielder, Portugal can arguably call upon the three best midfielders in world football right now in Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Joao Neves.
Vitinha arrives at the tournament after another outstanding season at club level, controlling games with a calmness that makes football look far easier than it actually is. Alongside him, Joao Neves brings endless energy and aggression, while Bruno Fernandes remains one of the most creative players in the game.
That midfield trio could be the key to this Portugal vs DR Congo clash. If they are given time on the ball, Portugal are likely to spend long periods camped on the edge of Congo’s box.
Bernardo Silva offers another layer of quality in advanced areas. His movement and technical ability make him difficult to track, especially against teams that prefer to sit deep and defend.
Out wide, Rafael Leao provides the direct running and pace that can stretch defensive lines. Portugal will hope he can create the space needed for their attackers to thrive.
Leao has a suspension for slapping a Chile defender in Portugal’s final warm-up game, but that suspension will not be served at the World Cup.
Portugal should dominate possession, but turning that control into goals will be the challenge. As every football fan knows, breaking down eleven men behind the ball can sometimes feel like trying to open a tin of beans with a spoon.
Portugal expected XI:
Diogo Costa – Cancelo, Dias, Inácio, Mendes – Vitinha, João Neves, Fernandes – Bernardo Silva, Ronaldo, Leão.
DR Congo team news
DR Congo arrive with fewer household names, but that does not mean they should be underestimated.
The Leopards have several players with experience in Europe’s top leagues and enough quality to trouble opponents if given opportunities.
Yoane Wissa could be their biggest attacking threat. The forward enjoys running into space and will be one of the main outlets whenever DR Congo look to break forward.
Cedric Bakambu brings experience and a proven eye for goal. Chances may be limited against Portugal, so taking those opportunities could be crucial.
Further back, Chancel Mbemba remains a key figure. The experienced defender will have a busy day organising the defence and trying to keep Portugal’s attackers quiet. Easier said than done when wave after wave of attacks keeps arriving.
Midfield discipline will also be important. DR Congo are unlikely to enjoy long spells of possession, meaning players such as Samuel Moutoussamy and Noah Sadiki could spend plenty of time helping protect the back four.
The visitors know they will probably spend large parts of the match without the ball. Their best route to success may be staying compact, frustrating Portugal and looking to strike quickly when opportunities arise.
DR Congo expected XI:
Mpasi – Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Kapuadi, Masuaku – Sadiki, Moutoussamy, Mukaku – Wissa, Bakambu.
Portugal vs DR Congo stats
- This will be the first World Cup meeting between Portugal and DR Congo.
- Portugal have progressed from the group stage in each of their last four World Cup appearances.
- The Portuguese have reached at least the knockout rounds in six of their previous seven World Cup tournaments.
- Portugal have scored in 13 of their last 15 World Cup matches.
- Roberto Martinez’s side have won eight of their last 10 international matches in all competitions.
- Cristiano Ronaldo has scored in five different World Cups, more than any other player in history.
- DR Congo are appearing at their first World Cup since 1974.
- DR Congo have lost just one of their last seven competitive internationals.
- The Congolese have kept four clean sheets in their last six competitive matches.
- Yoane Wissa has been directly involved in eight goals across his last 10 appearances for club and country.
- Portugal have won seven of their last nine World Cup group-stage matches.
- Four of Portugal’s last six international victories have been by at least a two-goal margin.
- DR Congo have conceded more than once in only two of their last 10 competitive fixtures.
Portugal vs DR Congo prediction
On paper, Portugal should win this game.
That is not exactly a groundbreaking opinion. Most people looking at Group K would probably expect Portugal to start their World Cup campaign with three points.
The interesting question is how they go about it.
DR Congo are unlikely to make life easy. They have enough experience and athleticism to stay competitive, and they know that frustrating Portugal for as long as possible gives them their best chance of causing an upset.
I can see them sitting deep, staying compact and asking Portugal to break them down.
The problem is that few teams in this tournament possess the midfield quality Portugal can call upon.
Vitinha, Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes have been outstanding over the past 12 months and could easily end this World Cup as the strongest midfield unit in the competition.
If those three establish control, Portugal should spend most of the match camped around the DR Congo penalty area.
Eventually, that pressure usually tells.
DR Congo will probably have their moments on the counter-attack. Yoane Wissa has the pace to cause problems, and Portugal cannot afford to switch off defensively.
Over 90 minutes, though, the gap in quality is hard to ignore.
Portugal have more creativity, more control and far greater depth across the pitch. They may need patience, but I expect them to find a way through.
And if Portugal do score early, DR Congo could find themselves chasing shadows for much of the afternoon. Nobody wants to spend 90 minutes trying to get the ball back from Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Joao Neves.
Prediction: Portugal 2-0 DR Congo
