FIFA World Cup 26™: What to look for in Portugal v Congo DR 🇵🇹🇨🇩 | OneFootball

The FIFA World Cup 26™ continues to entertain in North America and it's time for another heavyweight to take on a debutant.

Here's everything you need to look out for in the next match as Portugal face Congo DR.

Who is playing today? 👀

All eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo and company as the Seleção das Quinas open their World Cup™ campaign in Group K. Facing them first are Congo DR, who enter the tournament for the first time in over 50 years.

Roberto Martínez's side will feel pressure knowing their star leader's international departure is likely imminent. Ronaldo's influence on the national team, however, has demanded that the country's other stars perform at a higher level, creating a robust and talented squad at their disposal.

Portugal's team notably includes multiple back-to-back Champions League holders and the 2025/26 Premier League Player of the Season. Can the fifth-ranked team in the world finally win the trophy that evades them?

To do so, they must be more ruthless in front of the goal, as the side often toys with the ball in midfield before ultimately scraping by. Looking at their recent form, Portugal beat Nigeria and Chile by one goal and drew 0-0 with Mexico in the run-up to their tournament opener.

Meanwhile, Congo DR took the playoff route to reach their first FIFA World Cup™ qualification since 1974 (when they competed as Zaire), and they will look to celebrate every minute.

Manager Sébastien Desabre is credited with giving his side a 'framework' to follow on the international stage, and they subsequently now present themselves as a collective unit.

Congo DR notably dropped points in only three of their qualifiers, scoring 18 goals and conceding seven en route to the finals. Impressively, none of the African teams to qualify for the 2026 edition had more players with 6+ goal involvements in qualifying than them - Cédric Bakambu (four goals, two assists) and Yoane Wissa (three goals, three assists).

Players to watch 🔥

A mesmerising season from Bruno Fernandes puts the 31-year-old midfielder in a prime position to lead the Iberian nation to the one tournament they've yet to conquer. If he's at his best, he really could do just that.

The Manchester United captain is coming off a Premier League campaign where he registered a record-breaking 21 assists and nine goals from 35 appearances. Eliminating his influence will be the number one ask of any opposition.

Beyond him, the Paris Saint-Germain quartet featuring Vitinha, João Neves, Nuno Mendes and Gonçalo Ramos rightfully form a group whose impressive club form will hopefully transition onto the international stage for Martínez.

Bringing our attention back to the stars in the English top flight, Congo DR will want to force their football to move through Newcastle striker Yoane Wissa.

He is notably the first player from his country to net over 10 Premier League goals in a season, an accomplishment he secured as a Brentford player.

Portugal will want to be wary of Axel Tuanzebe, too. The Burnley centre-back brings plenty of Premier League experience, having also represented Manchester United, Aston Villa and Ipswich Town.

Stifling some of the world's best attackers is something he knows well. To add to that, he was the scorer of the extra-time goal against Jamaica to qualify for the tournament.

Must-watch video 🎥

Regardless of what happens on the pitch, Congo DR win the best-dressed award, surely!

Fun facts 📊

Our prediction 🔮