World Cup 2026: Portugal vs D.R Congo Preview

Portugal began their quest for World Cup glory by facing DR Congo in their opening Group K fixture at NRG Stadium in Houston on Wednesday, June 17. Portugal arrived in the United States as one of the tournament favorites, while DR Congo returned to football's biggest stage for the first time in more than five decades, aiming to make a statement on their long-awaited comeback.

Portugal Eye Strong Start to World Cup Campaign

Few teams entered the 2026 World Cup in better form than Portugal. Roberto Martínez's side lost just once in their last 13 matches, winning ten and drawing two, while their qualification campaign included a remarkable 9-1 victory over Armenia. Despite this impressive track record, Portugal had often struggled to translate their quality into deep World Cup runs. Since reaching the semi-finals in 1966, they failed to return to the last four, with only one of their last four World Cup opening matches ending in victory, although this success came against Ghana with a 3-2 win in Qatar four years prior. With a squad full of experience and attacking talent, expectations were high for Portugal to finally mount a serious challenge for the trophy.

DR Congo Return After 52-Year Absence

For DR Congo, this tournament represented a historic return to the World Cup stage. The Central African nation last appeared at the finals in 1974 under the name Zaire, struggling through a difficult campaign that ended with three defeats and 14 goals conceded. Their return was secured through a hard-fought inter-confederation play-off victory over Jamaica earlier in the year, marking one of the longest absences in World Cup history. However, their preparation for the tournament was not straightforward. An Ebola outbreak in the country restricted travel for supporters, limiting the number of fans who could follow the team in the United States. Head coach Sébastien Desabre urged his players to make a memorable impact, regardless of these challenges.

Cristiano Ronaldo Leads Portugal's Attack

Despite being in the later stages of his career, Cristiano Ronaldo remained a key figure for Portugal. The veteran forward entered the tournament as the only player to have scored in five different World Cups and looked to extend that record. Portugal's attacking strength went beyond Ronaldo, with a squad capable of dominating possession and creating chances at a relentless rate. Their recent matches reflected this attacking intent, with nine of their last 13 games producing more than 2.5 goals.

DR Congo's Defensive Discipline Could Be Key

Despite entering the match as underdogs, DR Congo had a defensive record that suggested they should not be underestimated. Eighteen of their last 22 victories came alongside a clean sheet, highlighting the organization and discipline instilled by Desabre. Striker Cedric Bakambu remained one of their biggest threats, having scored four goals during qualification.

Team News

Portugal headed into the match with a fully fit squad and no major injury concerns. Similarly, DR Congo were expected to have all key players available, providing coach Sébastien Desabre with a full selection for this historic occasion.

Head-to-Head Record

This match marked the first-ever meeting between Portugal and DR Congo at senior international level. Portugal's most recent experience against African opposition at a World Cup ended in disappointment when Morocco eliminated them in the quarter-finals in the 2022 tournament.

Kick-Off Time
The Group K clash took place on Wednesday, June 17, at NRG Stadium in Houston, starting at 17:00 GMT.