Portugal, ranked fifth in the world and UEFA Nations League winners, open their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K campaign against Congo at NRG Stadium, Houston on Wednesday, 17 June 2026 (19:00 SAST (Wednesday, 17 June 2026)). Congo return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence. Our prediction: Portugal to win. Full analysis, team news, H2H and all markets on SportPesa.
Match details
| Field | Detail |
| Competition | 2026 FIFA World Cup — Group K opener |
| Date & kick-off | Wednesday, 17 June 2026 at 19:00 SAST (Wednesday, 17 June 2026) |
| Venue | NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas, USA |
| Group K | Portugal, Congo, Colombia, Uzbekistan |
| Where to watch | DSTV/GOTV |
Portugal’s golden generation vs Congo’s 52-year return
Portugal vs Congo Preview.Portugal arrive at the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the tournament’s most anticipated sides. Ranked fifth globally by FIFA and winners of the 2025 UEFA Nations League, Roberto Martínez’s squad carries the quality to challenge the best. They come into this opener in commanding form: unbeaten in their last five matches, winning four, including a 2-1 victory over Nigeria in their final pre-tournament friendly. In those five games they have scored 15 goals and conceded just three.
The emotional centrepiece of this campaign is Cristiano Ronaldo. At 41, he captains the side in what will surely be his final World Cup appearance. He enters the tournament as the only player in history to have scored at five different World Cups, and his 229th cap for Portugal will be made in front of a global audience. He is the favourite to score his 144th international goal on Wednesday evening. The weight of history and personal legacy that surrounds this campaign is unlike anything any other squad carries.
Congo make their return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence — their only previous appearance was at the 1974 tournament in West Germany, where they lost all three group games and conceded 14 goals. The Leopards are an entirely different team in 2026, featuring Premier League talent throughout their XI and arriving with legitimate aspirations of making the knockout rounds for the first time in their history. They come in after a 2-1 defeat to Chile in their final warm-up, a second loss in their last five matches, but their squad depth gives them reasons for optimism beyond those results.
Group K also features Colombia and Uzbekistan. Portugal are heavy favourites to top the group, but Congo will be motivated to signal their intentions immediately on their long-awaited return.
Team news and expected line-ups
Portugal have no injury concerns and are set to field their strongest available XI. Ruben Dias and João Cancelo are both fit and start in defence. The PSG trio of Vitinha, João Neves, and Nuno Mendes — fresh from winning the Champions League — all start. Bruno Fernandes provides the creative link from midfield, with Pedro Neto and Bernardo Silva supporting Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.
Congo also have a fully fit squad. Premier League trio Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham), Arthur Masuaku, and Axel Tuanzebe are all set to start. Yoänne Wissa (Brentford) and Cédric Bakambu headline the attack and carry the responsibility of leading Congo’s offensive threat.
Line-ups below are expected XIs based on available team news. Update once confirmed XIs are released before kick-off.
| Portugal (4-3-3) | Congo (4-2-3-1) |
| Costa (GK) | Luyindama (GK) |
| Cancelo (RB) | Wan-Bissaka (RB) |
| Dias (CB) | Tuanzebe (CB) |
| Pepe / Inacio (CB) | Kayembe (CB) |
| Mendes (LB) | Masuaku (LB) |
| Vitinha (CM) | Kibadi (DM) |
| J. Neves (CM) | Lemina (DM) |
| B. Fernandes (AM) | Mbemba (RM) |
| B. Silva (RW) | Wissa (AM) |
| P. Neto (LW) | Makengo (LM) |
| Ronaldo (ST) | Bakambu (ST) |
Key stats
- Portugal: ranked 5th in the world by FIFA. UEFA Nations League winners 2025.
- Portugal form (last 5): W W W D W — unbeaten. Scored 15 goals, conceded 3. Beat Nigeria 2-1 in final warm-up.
- Cristiano Ronaldo: 41 years old. Only player to score at five different World Cups. 229th international cap. 143 goals for Portugal — targeting 144th.
- Portugal have never won the FIFA World Cup. Best finish: third place (2006).
- Congo: returning to the World Cup after a 52-year absence — last appearance was 1974 West Germany. Lost all 3 group games, conceded 14 goals.
- Congo form (last 5): L D W W L — lost 2-1 to Chile in final warm-up.
- Congo squad: significant Premier League representation — Wan-Bissaka (West Ham), Wissa (Brentford), Tuanzebe.
- H2H: first ever meeting between Portugal and Congo in any fixture.
- Group K: Portugal, Congo, Colombia, Uzbekistan.
Head-to-head
Portugal and Congo have never previously met in any fixture — competitive or friendly. This World Cup Group K match is the first ever encounter between the two nations.
Current form
| Team | Last 5 |
| Portugal | W W W D W |
| Congo | L D W W L |
Our prediction
Portugal’s quality across all positions makes them heavy favourites, and their pre-tournament form backs that up comprehensively. The PSG Champions League winners in midfield, a fully fit defensive unit, and Ronaldo’s motivation to mark this final World Cup with goals all point towards a comfortable Portuguese win.
Congo, however, are not merely a historical footnote returning for a nostalgia trip. Wissa and Bakambu are genuine Premier League-quality attackers capable of creating something against any defence. Their pre-tournament defeat to Chile suggests defensive vulnerability, but they have the individual quality to test Portugal if given space on the counter. They will not concede 14 goals this time.
Portugal have shown their ability to score freely and are expected to take control of this match early. Congo’s best outcome is to stay compact and look for a moment of individual brilliance. A Portugal win with goals at both ends is the most probable result.
Our prediction: Portugal to win.
Odds and markets
Odds correct at 1900hrs UTC on 17/06/26 and subject to change.
How to bet on SportPesa
- Open the Portugal vs Congo event page on SportPesa (link above).
- Choose your market — Single Bet (SB), Multi-Bet (MB), or Live Bet (LB) once the match starts.
- Enter your stake and place your bet.
Frequently asked questions
Build with Rank Math FAQ block to generate FAQPage schema automatically.
What time does Portugal vs Congo kick off?
Kick-off is at 19:00 SAST (Wednesday, 17 June 2026) on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas, USA.
Have Portugal and Congo ever played before?
No. Portugal and Congo have never met in any fixture — competitive or friendly. This World Cup Group K opener is the first ever encounter between the two nations.
Is this Cristiano Ronaldo’s last World Cup?
Ronaldo is 41 years old at the time of the 2026 tournament. He has not publicly confirmed this will be his last World Cup, but given his age it is widely expected to be his final appearance. He enters the tournament as the only player in history to have scored at five different World Cups.
What group are Portugal and Congo in at World Cup 2026?
Both sides are in Group K alongside Colombia and Uzbekistan.
When did Congo last play at the World Cup?
Congo’s only previous World Cup appearance was at the 1974 tournament in West Germany, where they lost all three group games and conceded 14 goals. This 2026 campaign marks their return after a 52-year absence.
Who are Congo’s key players at World Cup 2026?
Cédric Bakambu and Yoänne Wissa (Brentford) lead the attack. Premier League trio Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham), Arthur Masuaku, and Axel Tuanzebe start in defence and provide significant top-flight experience.
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