Cristiano Ronaldo will be looking to add to his tally of eight World Cup goals. | Photo Credit: AFP

Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will commence their FIFA World Cup 2026 journey in Group K with a game against DR Congo at teh Houston Stadium in Texas.

Read the full preview here: Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. start hunt for elusive FIFA World Cup title in Houston

After a heart breaking 1-0 quarterfinal loss to Morocco four years ago, Ronaldo will look to rally his team, packed with attacking flair, to end Portugal’s title drought.

DR Congo last played at this stage in 1974, as Zaire, and lost all its group-stage games. Its aspirations would be modest in comparison to its European opponent but it would not shy away from going all in and turning heads.

Portugal vs DR Congo head-to-head record

• Games played: 0
• Portugal: 0
• DR Congo: 0
• Draws: 0

Portugal vs DR Congo form guide

Portugal: W-W-W-D-W

• Portugal 2-1 Nigeria
• Portugal 2-1 Chile
• USA 0-2 Portugal
• Mexico 0-0 Portugal
• Portugal 9-1 Armenia

DR Congo: L-D-W-W-L

• DR Congo 1-2 Chile
• DR Congo 0-0 Denmark
• DR Congo 1-0 Jamaica
• DR Congo 2-0 Bermuda
• Algeria 1-0 DR Congo

Portugal vs DR Congo Predicted XI:

Portugal (4-2-3-1): Costa — Mendez, Inacio, Veiga, Cancelo — Vitinha, Neves — Neto, Fernandes, Silva — Ronaldo

DR Congo (5-3-2): Mpasi-Nzau — Masuaku, Kapuadi, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Wan Bissaka — Mukau, Moutoussamy, Sadiki — Wissa, Bakumbu

Published on Jun 17, 2026