The 2026 FIFA World Cup continues with an intriguing Group K clash as Portugal take on DR Congo in Houston on June 17. All eyes will be on legendary forward Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal begin their campaign against a determined DR Congo side making its long-awaited return to football’s biggest stage.
Portugal enter the tournament among the favorites after consistently producing strong performances in recent international competitions. Meanwhile, DR Congo arrive with confidence and ambition, hoping to create one of the early surprises of the World Cup.
Live Scores
Portugal vs DR Congo Match Details
| Match | Portugal vs DR Congo |
|---|---|
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 |
| Date | Wednesday, June 17, 2026 |
| Venue | Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas |
| Kickoff (ET) | 1:00 PM |
| Kickoff (BST) | 6:00 PM |
| Kickoff (IST) | 10:30 PM |
| Kickoff (AEST) | 3:00 AM (June 18) |
| TV (USA) | FOX |
| Streaming | FOX One, FOX Sports App |
Portugal Looking for a Strong Start
Portugal arrive as one of Europe’s strongest squads, featuring a mix of experienced leaders and emerging stars. Cristiano Ronaldo remains the headline attraction, while Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, and Rúben Dias provide world-class quality throughout the lineup.
Ranked fifth in the FIFA World Rankings, Portugal are making their ninth World Cup appearance. Their best finish remains the historic third-place achievement in 1966, but expectations are high for another deep tournament run in 2026.
Manager Roberto Martínez will be hoping his team controls possession and creates early scoring opportunities against a disciplined Congolese defense.
DR Congo Return to the World Cup Stage
DR Congo are back at the FIFA World Cup for the first time since 1974. The African nation qualified through an impressive campaign and enters the tournament ranked 46th in the world.
Coach Sébastien Desabre has built a balanced squad that combines defensive organization with attacking threats such as Yoane Wissa, Théo Bongonda, and veteran striker Cédric Bakambu.
A positive result against Portugal would significantly boost DR Congo’s chances of advancing from Group K.
DR Congo Confirmed Starting XI
DR Congo have opted for a solid defensive setup while relying on the pace and experience of their attacking players.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Lionel Mpasi |
| RWB | Aaron Wan-Bissaka |
| CB | Steve Kapuadi |
| CB | Axel Tuanzebe |
| CB | Chancel Mbemba |
| LWB | Arthur Masuaku |
| CM | Samuel Moutoussamy |
| CM | Edo Kayembe |
| CM | Ngal’ayel Mukau |
| FW | Yoane Wissa |
| ST | Cédric Bakambu |
The African side will look to stay compact defensively and use quick counterattacks through Wissa and Bakambu to challenge Portugal’s back line.
Confirmed Lineups Comparison
| Portugal | Position | DR Congo |
|---|---|---|
| Diogo Costa | Goalkeeper | Lionel Mpasi |
| João Cancelo | Defender | Aaron Wan-Bissaka |
| Tomás Araújo | Defender | Steve Kapuadi |
| Renato Veiga | Defender | Axel Tuanzebe |
| Nuno Mendes | Defender | Chancel Mbemba |
| João Neves | Midfielder | Arthur Masuaku |
| Bruno Fernandes | Midfielder | Samuel Moutoussamy |
| Vitinha | Midfielder | Edo Kayembe |
| Bernardo Silva | Attacker | Ngal’ayel Mukau |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Forward | Yoane Wissa |
| Pedro Neto | Attacker | Cédric Bakambu |
Portugal vs DR Congo Uniforms
Portugal will take the field wearing their iconic home colors, one of the most recognizable kits in international football.
| Team | Jersey | Shorts | Socks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Red with green details | Red | Red |
| DR Congo | White kit with national colors accents | White | White |
Goalkeeper Uniforms
| Team | Goalkeeper | Kit Color |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Diogo Costa | Gold |
| DR Congo | Lionel Mpasi | Official goalkeeper kit |
How to Watch Portugal vs DR Congo Live
Football fans worldwide will have several viewing options for this World Cup fixture.
| Country | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
| United States | FOX, FOX One, fuboTV |
| United Kingdom | BBC One |
| Portugal | SIC, Sport TV 1 |
| Canada | TSN 1 |
| Australia | SBS On Demand |
| Brazil | CazéTV |
| France | M6 |
| Germany | ZDF |
| Ireland | RTÉ Player |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| Turkey | TRT |
Several broadcasters will provide free coverage, allowing supporters across multiple countries to watch the match live without additional subscription costs.
Match Officials
The FIFA-appointed officiating team will be led by Qatar’s Abdulrahman Al-Jassim.
| Role | Official |
|---|---|
| Referee | Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar) |
| Assistant Referee 1 | Taleb Al-Marri (Qatar) |
| Assistant Referee 2 | Saoud Al-Maqaleh (Qatar) |
| Fourth Official | Abongile Tom (South Africa) |
| Reserve Assistant Referee | Zakhele Siwela (South Africa) |
| VAR | Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar) |
| AVAR | Juan Soto (Venezuela) |
| Support VAR | Hernan Mastrangelo (Argentina) |
Portugal vs DR Congo Prediction
Portugal enter the match as clear favorites due to their experience, squad depth, and attacking talent. However, DR Congo possess enough quality to remain competitive and could frustrate Portugal if they defend effectively.
Prediction: Portugal 3-1 DR Congo
Stay tuned for live score updates, confirmed lineups, goal scorers, match statistics, and full-time results as Portugal and DR Congo begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey in Houston.