The wait is over as Portugal begins its 2026 World Cup journey against DR Congo in Houston, and all eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo, who is set to make his historic sixth World Cup appearance. Portugal enters the tournament as one of the favorites to progress from Group K, while DR Congo returns to soccer’s biggest stage for the first time in 52 years, hoping to make a memorable statement in its opening match.
Portugal is still searching for its first-ever World Cup title, and Roberto Martinez’s side arrives in strong form after a series of encouraging results in the build-up to the tournament. A victory would immediately place Portugal in a strong position in a group that also includes Colombia and Uzbekistan.
While Portugal enters as the clear favorite, DR Congo has shown resilience throughout its qualification journey and should not be underestimated. The Leopards will look to stay compact defensively and threaten on the counterattack as they aim to pull off one of the tournament’s early surprises.
Portugal is expected to field a star-studded lineup led by Ronaldo, who will be looking to add to his remarkable international goal tally, while Fernandes and Vitinha are set to provide creativity from midfield. DR Congo, meanwhile, will rely heavily on the pace of Wissa and the goalscoring instincts of Bakambu.
Halftime (1-1)
That is it for the first half as the referee brings proceedings to a close, with both sets of players now heading down the tunnel to their respective dressing rooms. It’s all square at the break after a dramatic finish to the opening 45 minutes.
45+5' – GOOOOOAAAAAAAL FOR DR CONGO! (1-01)
It’s Yoane Wissa who levels the match right on half-time! He burst into the box to meet a perfectly whipped cross from Arthur Masuaku and finished superbly from close range, smashing the ball into the roof of the net.
A dramatic late equaliser sees DR Congo go into the break 1-1 with Portugal, completely changing the mood in Houston.
45+3' – DR Congo win a corner! (1-0)
Samuel Moutoussamy gets onto a loose pass on the edge of the box and fires off a quick effort, but it’s blocked by the Portugal defence. The rebound earns DR Congo a corner, offering a late chance to threaten before half-time.
45' – Four minutes added on (1-0)
The fourth official signals four additional minutes at the end of the first half.
45' – Total dominance from Portugal (1-0)
The numbers say it all as Portugal controls proceedings with a staggering 81:19 possession ratio, pinning DR Congo deep inside their own half.
39' – DR Congo holds firm (1-0)
Bruno Fernandes tries his luck from the edge of the box, but his powerful effort is bravely blocked by a defender in front of him. Portugal continues to pile on the pressure, yet DR Congo remains disciplined and determined to protect its narrow deficit.
32' – First yellow card for DR Congo (1-0)
Chancel Mbemba is shown a yellow card after finally testing the patience of referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim, with the defender punished for a late challenge earlier in the move.
29' – Portugal look to switch play! (1-0)
Joao Cancelo tries to pick out Cristiano Ronaldo with a forward pass, but he puts a bit too much power on it, and the ball runs through harmlessly.
18' – DR Congo on alert again (1-0)
Lionel Mpasi-Nzau reads the danger brilliantly and comes off his line to clear safely after Nuno Mendes threatens to latch onto a dangerous through ball just outside the box. Portugal continues to push forward, but DR Congo remains alert at the back.
13' – Early booking for Portugal! (1-0)
Bernardo Silva goes into the referee’s book after bringing down an opponent in midfield, with Abdulrahman Al Jassim making an easy decision to show the yellow card.
11' – Big early chance for DR Congo to equalize! (1-0)
What a moment that is for Yoane Wissa, who finds himself completely unmarked inside a dangerous position after meeting a well-delivered cross at the edge of the box. However, his effort flies just a whisker wide of the left post, giving Portugal an early warning in this Group K opener.
6' – GOOOOOAAAAAAAL FOR PORTUGAL! (1-0)
Portugal makes the perfect early breakthrough as Joao Neves puts the national team ahead 1-0 in the 6th minute! The midfielder latched onto a clever lofted pass from Pedro Neto and produced a composed finish, guiding a close-range header into the top right corner beyond the goalkeeper. It’s a dream start for Portugal, who immediately take control of the Group K opener.
The game has started!
Referee Abdulrahman Al-Jassim blows his whistle, and the game is underway!
Get to know Portugal and DR Congo better
We have put together a detailed breakdown of Portugal’s 2026 World Cup campaign, covering everything from tactical structure to key players and tournament expectations. As one of the strongest national teams in the competition, Portugal enters the World Cup with genuine title ambitions following its 2025 UEFA Nations League triumph. With Cristiano Ronaldo still leading the line alongside a world-class midfield core, this guide explores how Roberto Martínez’s side is built to challenge for global glory.
We have also produced a comprehensive guide to DR Congo’s return to the World Cup stage after 52 years, highlighting their tactical identity, key personnel, and qualification story. As one of the tournament’s underdogs, the Leopards arrive with a disciplined defensive system built around European-based players and a strong counterattacking approach. This preview breaks down how Sebastien Desabre has shaped a competitive, structured side ready to challenge stronger opposition in Group K.
What is DR Congo’s current FIFA World Ranking?
DR Congo currently sits 46th in the FIFA Men’s World Ranking, reflecting its steady rise in international soccer over recent years after climbing back from much lower positions in the past. With the 2026 World Cup underway, their results could still influence their position further depending on how they perform in Group K.
Who's the referee for Portugal vs DR Congo?
The referee for the 2026 World Cup Group K match between Portugal and DR Congo is Abdulrahman Al-Jassim.
Match Officials
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)
Assistant Referee 1: Taleb Al-Marri (Qatar)
Assistant Referee 2: Saud Al-Maqaleh (Qatar)
Fourth official: Abongile Tom (South Africa)
VAR: Khamis Al-Marri (Qatar)
Al-Jassim is one of the AFC’s most experienced officials and has overseen several high-profile international and club fixtures in recent years, including major continental and World Cup matches. This assignment adds another significant stage to his refereeing career, as he takes charge of a historic World Cup opener for DR Congo in Houston.
Where will Portugal vs DR Congo be played?
The match between Portugal and DR Congo will be played at Houston Stadium in Texas, United States, a modern venue known for hosting major international sporting events and large-scale soccer fixtures.
Opened in 2002 and boasting a capacity of 72,220, the multi-purpose venue is a massive fixture in American sports, serving as the home field for the NFL's Houston Texans and the world-famous Houston Rodeo.
With a strong soccer pedigree that includes previously hosting the 2016 Copa America Centenario and the MLS All-Star game, Houston Stadium is slated to host a total of seven matches throughout the 2026 World Cup tournament.
Why isn’t Ruben Dias playing for Portugal?
Rúben Dias will miss Portugal’s opening match against DR Congo due to a minor physical issue picked up in a recent warm-up fixture. The decision has been made as a precaution, with the staff unwilling to take any risks at this early stage of the tournament.
Portugal's starting lineup confirmed!
Head coach Roberto Martinez confirmed the 11 players who'll start the game against DR Congo:
Formation: 4-4-2
GK: Diogo Costa
DEF: João Cancelo, Tomás Araújo, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes
MID: João Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva
ATT: Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro Neto
DR Congo's starting lineup confirmed!
Head coach Sebastien Desabre confirmed the 11 players who'll start the game against Portugal:
Formation: 5-3-2
GK: Lionel Mpasi
DEF: Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Inonga Baka Kapuadi, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Arthur Masuaku
MID: Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, Noah Sadiki Mukau
ATT: Yoane Wissa, Cédric Bakambu
What is Portugal vs DR Congo's H2H record?
In men’s senior international football, Portugal and DR Congo have never met in a competitive or friendly match before their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K clash, meaning there is no official head-to-head record between the two nations.
This upcoming meeting in Houston will therefore be the first-ever encounter between Portugal and DR Congo at senior level, and their debut World Cup matchup against each other, with both sides writing a new chapter in their shared international history.
Kickoff time and how to watch
The game between Portugal and DR Congo will kick off at 1:00 PM (ET). You can watch this 2026 World Cup Group K game on Fubo, DirecTV Stream, Sling, Peacock Premium, FOX, Telemundo and Hulu + Live TV.
Portugal and DR Congo begin their Group K journey
Portugal and DR Congo get their Group K campaign underway as both national teams begin their quest for a place in the 2026 World Cup knockout stage. Portugal enters the match as the group favorite, chasing a winning start behind captain Cristiano Ronaldo, while DR Congo returns to the World Cup after a 52-year absence and will be eager to make an immediate impact with a positive result in its tournament opener.
Stay with us throughout the evening as we bring you live updates, key moments, goals, and reaction from Portugal's World Cup opener against DR Congo.
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