Portugal vs DR Congo | FIFA World Cup 2026 — Group Stage | Preview and Prediction

Top contenders and European giants Portugal will face African side DR Congo in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 fixture on June 17 at Houston Stadium in Houston, Texas. 

For the game, here we present our preview and prediction.

FIFA WC26 | Group K: POR vs COD | 22:30 IST, June 17, 2026

Portugal’s talismanic legend Cristiano Ronaldo might be playing his last World Cup and will be leading a very talented outfit at the World Cup with the hope of adding the trophy to his glittering collection of major silverware.

Portugal qualified for the World Cup automatically after topping their UEFA qualifier group with four wins, one draw, and a solitary defeat. This is their ninth World Cup appearance. As for their opponents, the DR Congo overcame five decades of frustration, qualifying for the World Cup by defeating Jamaica 1–0 in the final of the play-offs. This is their second World Cup appearance after 1974.

As for personnel, João Palhinha has been ruled out due to a muscle tear during international duty, while António Silva has been left out due to massive competition in the backline. A few key players like Vitinha, Rúben Dias, and Nuno Mendes had injury scares in recent months but have been declared fit for the opening fixture. The DR Congo, meanwhile, have a fully fit squad available. However, they had to cancel their training camp at home due to a recent Ebola outbreak in the country and had to shift base to Europe for preparation.

Looking at their recent form, Portugal will go into this game unbeaten in their last five encounters with four wins and a draw, while the DR Congo have suffered two losses and won three games out of their last five. Coming to this match-up, these two nations have never faced each other in a game, not even a friendly, so there will be an element of surprise for both sides.

Portugal come into this game as the overwhelming favourites for the win; looking at the quality they boast in every position, this should be a comfortable outing for them. Having said that, the underdog teams have punched above their weight so far, and the DR Congo will try to make it as difficult for Portugal as possible. However, we still believe Ronaldo and Co possess enough firepower to grab all three points here with relative ease.

Score Prediction: Portugal 2–0 Democratic Republic of the Congo
Venue: Houston Stadium, Houston, Texas, USA