Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal v Congo in World Cup opener: time, TV | OneFootball

Portugal and Congo make up Group K of the 2026 World Cup, along with Colombia and Uzbekistan

Portugal face DR Congo in Houston, United States, this Wednesday (17), in a match valid for the opening round of Group K of the 2026 World Cup. The Coluna do Fla team now breaks down the key information about this clash involving one of the leading favorites for the world title.

WHERE TO WATCH LIVE AND KICKOFF TIME?

The ball starts rolling for Portugal and Congo at 2 p.m. (Brasília time), with exclusive coverage from Cazé TV on YouTube. Expectations are centered on a match in which European favoritism will be tested by the Africans’ historic resilience.

HOW DOES PORTUGAL ARRIVE FOR ITS OPENER?

Portugal coach Roberto Martínez has virtually his entire squad available. However, he will be without Rúben Dias in defense. Cristiano Ronaldo, playing in his sixth World Cup at age 41, leads the group after a 30-goal season for Al-Nassr (SAU).

The team combines the experience of Cristiano Ronaldo with the youth of names like João Neves and Vitinha, two-time Champions League winners with PSG (FRA). In short, the Portuguese are looking to confirm expectations of favoritism. During the preparation cycle, the Portugal national team recorded only five defeats in its last 39 matches.

Portugal’s probable lineup is as follows: Diogo Costa; João Cancelo, Tomás Araújo, Gonçalo Inácio and Nuno Mendes; João Neves, Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes; Bernardo Silva, João Felix and Cristiano Ronaldo. 

WHAT ABOUT DR CONGO?

The Democratic Republic of the Congo, coached by French manager Sébastien Desabre, arrives at the World Cup with remarkable defensive consistency. The African side came through knockout stages against Cameroon and Nigeria, in addition to securing its place through the intercontinental playoff by beating Jamaica.

Youngster Ngal’ayel Mukau, 21, stands out as the major hope for renewal. In addition, Wissa’s speed and Bakambu’s presence up front should put Portugal’s defense on alert.

DR Congo’s probable lineup is: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe and Masuaku; Sadiki; Wissa, Moutoussamy, Mukau and Meschak Elia; Bakambu.

WHY DOES THIS MATCH CARRY ‘HISTORIC WEIGHT’ FOR CONGO?

This clash marks DR Congo’s return to the World Cup stage after 52 years away. That is because its last appearance came in 1974. For the African nation, the showdown against a European giant is an opportunity to prove that its heroic journey to the United States was no fluke.

The Coluna do Fla report, which is experiencing the daily routine of the World Cup and following the movements of the national teams, assesses that Portugal will need patience to break through the block set up by the French coach. In short, the Congolese defensive approach has proven unshakable throughout this cycle, making this opener a real test of the Portuguese national team’s ambitions.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.