Portugal XI vs DR Congo: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for World Cup 2026 | OneFootball

Group K begins as Cristiano Ronaldo embarks on final World Cup

Portugal start their World Cup campaign against the Democratic Republic of Congo today, and Roberto Martinez has some decisions to make about his starting XI.

The Spaniard will want to set a precedent for the rest of the tournament, and produce a statement victory here that would send a ripple through the 48-strong bracket.

Naturally, the goalscoring burden will lie with 41-year-old captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who will, of course, start up front.

The engine room practically picks itself, with two-thirds of it coming from Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League-winning trio.

The other is the Premier League player of the season, Bruno Fernandes, who has starred for Manchester United this term, especially since moving back into his preferred No10 hole after Michael Carrick took over at Old Trafford.

The United skipper broke the Premier League record for assists in a single season, and he will link up with former Red Devils team-mate Ronaldo once more on the global stage.

Creator: Bruno Fernandes

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Out wide, there are a plethora of options for Martinez to pick from, but it is likely that he will plump for AC Milan’s Rafael Leao - who is pushing for an exit out of Italy this summer - on the left, and Bernardo Silva, the Manchester City captain set to join Real Madrid, on the right flank.

That therefore leaves the back four with a single question mark - who will partner Ruben Dias in central defence?

It is likely to be Sporting CP’s Goncalo Inacio, who seems to be the preferred option for Martinez, but former Chelsea defender Renato Veiga offers another left-footed option, while Benfica’s Antonio Silva is also highly competent.

At full-back, there are two no-brainers. Joao Cancelo on the right, and Nuno Mendes on the left.