Portugal open World Cup against DR Congo with Ronaldo in focus
Portugal start Group K in Houston as Cristiano Ronaldo chases a first World Cup title and DR Congo return after 52 years away.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Portugal begin their 2026 World Cup campaign against DR Congo in Houston on Wednesday, with Cristiano Ronaldo attempting to add the one major trophy missing from his career. Al Jazeera reported that the Group K match at Houston Stadium is scheduled for 17:00 GMT.
The game is the first meeting between the countries, according to Al Jazeera. Portugal enter as clear favourites, while DR Congo are seeking their first goal and first point at a World Cup after qualifying for the tournament for only the second time.
Ronaldo’s latest World Cup pursuit
Al Jazeera reported that Ronaldo, now 41, is expected to win his 229th Portugal cap during the tournament. He is the only player to have scored in five World Cups, from 2006 through 2022, and is trying to score in a sixth edition.
Portugal’s best World Cup finish remains third place in 1966, Al Jazeera reported. Since then, the team have reached the semifinals once, in 2006, and lost in the quarterfinals in Qatar in 2022 after beating Switzerland 6-1 in the previous round.
Portugal have won major European honours during Ronaldo’s era, including Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League last year after a shootout win over Spain, according to Al Jazeera. The World Cup has remained beyond them.
Al Jazeera reported that Ronaldo scored 30 goals in 37 matches for Al-Nassr last season but has not scored from open play across his past two major international tournaments. His eight World Cup goals have all come before the knockout rounds.
Portugal’s supporting cast
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has no reported injury concerns for the opener, according to Al Jazeera. The squad includes Vitinha, Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes, who helped Paris Saint-Germain win a second straight Champions League title, as well as Bruno Fernandes, who Al Jazeera said set a Premier League record with 21 assists for Manchester United.
Al Jazeera listed Portugal’s recent form as four wins and one draw in their past five matches. Their buildup included wins over the United States, Chile and Nigeria after a goalless friendly with Mexico in March.
DR Congo’s return
DR Congo qualified after beating Jamaica 1-0 in an intercontinental playoff in Mexico in March, Al Jazeera reported. The team previously appeared at the World Cup as Zaire in 1974, when they lost all three matches.
Al Jazeera reported that DR Congo’s preparations were disrupted by an Ebola outbreak before the tournament. The squad still brings players with English Premier League experience, including West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Burnley’s Axel Tuanzebe, Sunderland left-back Arthur Masuaku and Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa.
Coach Sebastien Desabre’s side drew with Denmark in a warm-up match using an experimental five-man defence and then lost 2-1 to Chile on June 9, according to Al Jazeera. DR Congo’s group also includes Colombia and Uzbekistan, with the Uzbekistan match on June 27 viewed by Al Jazeera as a possible route toward third place.
Group K stakes
Al Jazeera reported that the top two teams from each of the 12 groups will reach the round of 32, along with the eight best third-placed teams. The expanded knockout stage is being used at the World Cup for the first time.
Portugal are ranked fifth by FIFA and are strong favourites for the opener, according to Al Jazeera. Opta gives DR Congo close to a one-in-four chance of pulling off an upset in Houston, Al Jazeera reported.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.