Portugal vs Congo DR Preview: Team News & Prediction | FIFA World Cup 2026 | Group Stage
One of the real leading contenders for FIFA World Cup 2026 is Portugal, as they take on the Democratic Republic of Congo in their Group K opener.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – BBC / USA – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – BBC iPlayer & the BBC Sport website & app / USA – FOX One
Portugal preview: Strong Portuguese squad
Roberto Martinez has a star-studded squad at his disposal and, in charge of another so-called 'golden generation' after previously being Belgium manager for their late-2010s era, there is a bit of pressure on the former Wigan Athletic and Everton boss to deliver.
The Portuguese put in impressive victories home and away against Armenia in qualification but their level of performance, and even return of results, was fairly underwhelming against even mediocre opposition in Hungary and Ireland.
Portugal come into the tournament on the back of a couple of hard-fought 2-1 victories, firstly against Chile and then against Nigeria earlier this month.
Congo DR preview: Exciting qualifiers
Having ran Senegal extremely close, and even been unfortunate to finish just below them in CAF qualification for FIFA World Cup 2026, the Democratic Republic of Congo fought hard through three tough play-offs to make it to North America.
Congo DR defeated Cameroon with a last-gasp winner before a penalty shootout victory over Nigeria in their CAF play-off final. That led them to an Inter-Confederation Play-off against Jamaica in the spring, which they squeezed through with a 1-0 win, courtesy of an Axel Tuanzebe goal.
Congo DR shared a goalless draw with Denmark in their first pre-tournament friendly ahead of a 2-1 loss to Chile with a couple of fairly underwhelming performances against teams that haven't qualified for this summer.
Portugal team news: Nuno Mendes is fit
After a bit of speculation, Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has confirmed that Nuno Mendes is fit and available after being replaced after 30 minutes of their friendly against Nigeria, with Martinez explaining that was a pre-meditated decision to only play him for half an hour.
Cristiano Ronaldo is also fit after some speculation over the Al Nassr forward. Portugal's midfield is set to be PSG-dominated with the excellent duo of Vitinha and Joao Neves alongside Bruno Fernandes. The big debate appears to be who starts on the left-wing between Rafael Leao and Joao Felix.
It has been confirmed that Manchester City centre-back Ruben Dias is not fully fit and he won't be available for their opener and so Renato Veiga or Goncalo Inacio will likely partner Tomas Araujo.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Costa; Cancelo, Araujo, Inacio, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Fernandes; Silva, Ronaldo, Leao
Unavailable: Dias (Fitness)
Questionable:
Congo DR team news: Fully fit
Congo DR, at the time of writing, appear to have a fully fit and available squad for their opener after Rocky Bushiri had to withdraw from the squad due to injury, replaced by Kilmarnock midfielder Aaron Tshibola.
Yoane Wissa missed out on the play-offs in March with Cedric Bakambu leading the line as a lone forward but the Newcastle United striker is expected to return to the starting eleven with Sebastien Desabre potentially going without vice-captain Bakambu.
Predicted XI (4-3-3): Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, J. Kayembe; Sadiki, Moutoussamy, Mukau; Bongonda, Wissa, Elia
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Portugal’s top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Nuno Mendes ($5.8m) – Defender
Bruno Fernandes ($8.5m) – Midfielder
Cristiano Ronaldo ($10.0m) – Forward
Matchday 1 captain pick: Bruno Fernandes
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes
Free kicks: Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes
Corners: Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes
Congo DR's top FIFA World Cup Fantasy assets
Aaron Wan-Bissaka ($4.3m) – Defender
Axel Tuanzebe ($4.0m) – Defender
Yoane Wissa ($6.2m) – Forward
Matchday 1 captain pick: Yoane Wissa
Set-piece duty
Penalties: Yoane Wissa, Cedric Bakambu
Free kicks: Yoane Wissa, Gael Kakuta
Corners: Arthur Masuaku, Gael Kakuta
Key stats
- Portugal are competing in a seventh consecutive FIFA World Cup. Ever-presents since the 2002 edition, the Selecao das Quinas had only featured in two instalments of the tournament prior to the turn of the century.
- The Portuguese national team’s best campaign came in their debut appearance in 1966, when they clinched the final podium place. They came close to matching that achievement 40 years later, placing fourth at the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.
- Cristiano Ronaldo’s spot kick against Ghana opened Portugal’s account at Qatar 2022 and was the nation’s 50th goal in FIFA World Cup history. That effort saw the Madeira-born attacker become the first player to find the net in five editions of the FIFA World Cup, having been on the mark in the 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018 tournaments.
- Portugal have lost their opening fixture in only two of their eight FIFA World Cup appearances (W4 D2).
- Congo DR have qualified for the FIFA World Cup for the second time, 52 years after their debut appearance at the 1974 finals, when they competed under the name Zaire. At that time, only two African nations had previously featured at the tournament: Egypt in 1934 and Morocco in 1970.
- Congo DR’s maiden FIFA World Cup campaign in 1974 (as Zaire) ended at the group stage after defeats to Scotland (2-0), Yugoslavia (9-0) and reigning champions Brazil (3-0).
- Cristiano Ronaldo is one of three players at the 2026 finals participating in a record sixth FIFA World Cup — the others being Guillermo Ochoa (Mexico) and Lionel Messi (Argentina).
- At 41 years 132 days, Cristiano Ronaldo could become the second‑oldest outfield player ever to make a FIFA World Cup appearance, behind Roger Milla, who was 42 years 39 days when he played for Cameroon against Russia on 28 June 1994.
- An appearance for Cristiano Ronaldo would be his 23rd at the FIFA World Cup, moving him level with Italy’s Paolo Maldini in fourth place on the all‑time list.
Click here for EVEN MORE stats & facts about this fixture!
Portugal vs Congo DR prediction
It may appear to be a bit of a one-sided clash on paper, but that may not be how it turns out. Portugal really should still win and they will probably win with a clean sheet, too. However, Portugal proved that middling European nations were a pain for them in the autumn, and Congo DR will believe they can more than match the level of Hungary and Ireland. A Portuguese victory is the best bet but it wouldn't be a shock if it was a bit more slender a margin than many expect. With the expectation being that Congo DR are going to go with just the one of Wissa or Bakambu, it will be a containing job for Desabre's side and Portugal have only beaten Armenia and the USA by more than goal since winning the UEFA Nations League last summer.
Portugal vs Congo DR betting tip: Portugal to win & under 3.5 goals
