Portugal clash with DR Congo in the opening match of Group K in the 2026 World Cup at Houston Stadium, United States, this Wednesday, June 17, 2026, at 20:00 hrs East African time.
This match marks the first meeting between the two teams, both in the final round of the World Cup and in senior international matches.
Portugal carries the weight of expectation after another successful cycle that saw them win the UEFA Nations League in 2025 and comfortably secure qualification. It is one of Europe's most consistent tournament performers, progressing beyond the group stage in four of the last five World Cups and regularly competing for major honours.
Portugal's best performance in the finals of a World Cup came back in 1966, when they finished third. Selecao das Quinas have underachieved in this competition given the quality of their squads in recent history.
Roberto Martinez's side are the strong favourites to top Group K, which also includes Colombia and Uzbekistan, and they have entered the 2026 World Cup off the back of three straight friendly wins over USA, Chile and Nigeria.
Portugal finished their qualification campaign for this competition with a 9-1 win over Armenia, but they did lose to Republic of Ireland late last year, and there remain question marks over their ability to seriously challenge for the trophy this summer.
Led by a blend of experienced internationals and emerging stars from Europe's elite clubs, the Seleção arrive in Texas hoping to collect maximum points.
DR Congo, however, will be eager to mark their return with a statement result. The Leopards are appearing at the World Cup for the first time since 1974 after navigating a difficult qualification route that included success in the African playoffs before defeating Jamaica in the FIFA Intercontinental Playoff final.
The Leopards actually held Denmark to a goalless draw in one of two pre-World Cup friendlies at the start of June, but they were beaten 2-1 by Chile last time out.
DR. Congo managed to qualify for their first World Cup since 1974 when Axel Tuanzebe's extra-time goal gave them a 1-0 victory over Jamaica in their intercontinental play-off final in Mexico back in March.
Congo DR reached the last-16 stage of the recent Africa Cup of Nations, and they have won two of their last four matches, only suffering one defeat in the process.
The expanded World Cup has certainly given Sebastien Desabre's team a better chance of reaching the knockout round of the competition, with one victory in the section potentially being enough to qualify in third spot.
Portugal will represent DR. Congo's toughest test in Group K, and their match against Uzbekistan on June 27 could be crucial when it comes to their chances of advancing.
Team News
Portugal have no injury concerns heading into this match, and there are unlikely to be any major surprises when it comes to their starting XI here, with 41-year-old Ronaldo set to lead the line on his 229th appearance for the national side.
Ronaldo will be aiming to add to his 143 international goals this summer and will be looking to improve on a disappointing 2022 World Cup, which saw him only register once.
The Al-Nassr striker was sent off against Republic of Ireland in a qualifier at the end of last year, but he had the second and third matches suspended for a year due to the fact that it was the veteran's first red card in 225 international appearances.
Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Vitinha are all set to start off the back of helping Paris Saint-Germain to win the 2025-26 Champions League, while Bruno Fernandes, who had an outstanding season for Manchester United, will also feature in the first XI.
Portugal possible starting lineup: D Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; J Neves, Fernandes, Vitinha; Bernardo, Ronaldo, Neto
As for DR. Congo , there are plenty of recognisable names in their squad, including Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba and Arthur Masuaku, who are all expected to operate in what is likely to be a back five.
Sunderland's Noah Sadiki is in line to feature in the middle of midfield, while there will be two notable players in the final third of the field in the shape of Newcastle United's Yoane Wissa and Real Betis' Cedric Bakambu.
Bakambu is the leading goalscorer in the squad with 21, while Wissa, who struggled for Newcastle last season, has nine international goals to his name.
DR. Congo possible starting lineup: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Kapuadi, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Mukau; Wissa, Bakambu
