Portugal get their World Cup 2026 campaign underway when they face DR Congo on Wednesday at 6pm (UK time).
Portugal have been ever-presents at the World Cup since 2002, having only appeared in two of the previous 16 tournaments. They’ve only failed it out of the group stage three times in total, and were quarter-finalists in Qatar. But there will be hopes of the Selecao finally ending their — and Cristiano Ronaldo’s — hopes of lifting the trophy before their striker calls time on his career.
DR Congo have not appeared at the World Cup under their current name. But they were part of the 1974 tournament, when they were known as Zaire. It was a brief and unsuccessful tournament, as they lost all three of their matches without scoring a goal. So this will be a chance for DR Congo history,
This will be the first meeting between these two sides.
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Portugal vs DR Congo team news
Portugal team news
Naturally, all eyes will be on Ronaldo and his role in this Portugal team. The 41-year-old started both of Portugal’s pre-tournament friendlies and will lead the line at the World Cup, barring any late injuries. It leaves Goncalo Ramos to play the supporting role from the bench. Another guaranteed starter is Bruno Fernandes, who will look to build on an excellent club season creatively.
There are questions around the rest of the attack. Rafael Leao missed the final friendly due to a red card suspension, which gave Pedro Neto a chance to start on the left. Joao Felix is another option but may be seen more as a support for Ronaldo or Fernandes. Leao is likely to return to the left-wing, with Bernardo Silva adding experience on the right.
Portugal’s double pivot picks itself, with Vitinha and Joao Neves thriving alongside each other for club and country. The back four will be strong too. While Portugal haven’t been able to lineup with this back four for a while, that has been due to injuries, rather than choice. Ruben Dias will be a good partner for Goncalo Inacio at centre-back, while Joao Cancelo should start on the right to complement Nuno Mendes on the left. Diogo Costa should be the starting goalkeeper.
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DR Congo team news
DR Congo have tried a few different formations in recent times, and they may opt to go for a defensive setup here. They trialled a 5-3-2 in their pre-tournament friendly against Denmark, so could do the same to try to stop Ronaldo and co. Lionel Mpasu is the first-choice goalkeeper and there will be no change there. There will be a few familiar faces in the team, starting in the defence.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka is expected to start on the right side of the defence, with Arthur Masuaku on the left. Chancel Mbemba will lead the centre-back trio, alongside Axel Tuanzebe, with Steve Kapuadi likely to join them. But Gedeon Kalulu will hope to play a part in the team, having featured in the back-five against Denmark. Samuel Moutoussamy is rarely out of the DR Congo midfield, as is Ngal’ayel Mukau.
The final midfield spot will depend on the system. Noah Sadiki looks to be leading the race to complete the trio, after his fine season. But Edo Kayembe is another option. Up front, Cedric Bakambu and Yoane Wissa are expected to lead the line in a strike partnership. Wissa could also drop slightly deeper to play in a more supporting role.
Portugal vs DR Congo predicted lineups
Portugal (4-2-3-1): Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; Silva, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo.
DR Congo (5-3-2): Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Kapuadi, Tuanzebe, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Mukau, Sadiki; Wissa, Bakambu.
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