Portugal vs DR Congo World cup 2026
Cristiano Ronaldo’s record 6th and final World Cup begins as Portugal face the Leopards in their first tournament return since 1974. Roberto Martínez’s Selecao meet Sébastien Desabre’s DR Congo at Houston’s NRG Stadium in Group K.
Portugal
Europe · Group K
VS
1:00 PM
ET · Jun 17
DR Congo
Africa · Group K
Quick Answer
Watch in 30 seconds
📺 Watch Portugal vs DR Congo on Fox / Telemundo in the USA, RTP free in Portugal, RTNC free in DR Congo, BBC iPlayer free in the UK, and beIN Sports across MENA.
Date
Jun 17, 2026
Kickoff
1:00 PM ET
Free Watch
RTP · BBC
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🇵🇹 POR Win
1.30
Draw
5.50
🇨🇩 COD Win
10.00
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Kickoff Time in Your Country
Portugal vs DR Congo kicks off at 1:00 PM ET Wednesday, June 17 (12:00 PM CDT local Houston, 6:00 PM WEST Lisbon, 7:00 PM CAT Kinshasa).
Where to Watch by Country
Official rights holders with free options highlighted in green.
Portugal
DR Congo
United States
United Kingdom
MENA Region
France
Satellite Frequencies
Tap any satellite below to view every channel broadcasting the World Cup 2026.
Es’hailSat 25.5°E / 26°E
Symbol Rate: 27500 · FEC: 2/3 · DVB-S2 8PSK · H = Horizontal · V = Vertical
11013 H11054 H11310 H11350 V11390 H11430 VEs’hailSat 25.5°E / 26°E
Symbol Rate: 27500 · FEC: 5/6 · DVB-S2 · Free Qatar broadcasters
10971 V10971 VArabsat Badr 26°E
Symbol Rate: 27500 · FEC: 5/6 · DVB-S2 (Saudi Arabia)
12169 VEutelsat 8 West B / Nilesat 7°W
Free Moroccan and Algerian broadcasters
12604 H11881 V12380 H
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Recent Highlights
Catch up on both teams ahead of kickoff at NRG Stadium with its retractable roof in Houston.
Portugal Recent Form
Qualifier 9-1 vs Armenia · 2025
DR Congo Recent Form
Playoff 1-0 vs Jamaica · 2026
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Portugal vs DR Congo Prediction
Portugal arrive as reigning UEFA Nations League champions under Spanish coach Roberto Martínez (since January 2023), looking for their first ever World Cup. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr, 41) is set for his record-tying 6th World Cup appearance, with 143 international goals and 8 World Cup goals in 22 appearances across previous tournaments. He scored 5 times during qualifying. The midfield is arguably the best in world football: Bruno Fernandes (Man United, scored hat-trick in 9-1 vs Armenia to seal qualification), Vitinha (PSG, 3rd in 2025 Ballon d’Or, Champions League winner), João Neves (PSG, hat-trick vs Armenia), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City). Stars also include Rúben Dias (Man City), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Rafael Leão (Milan), João Cancelo (Al-Hilal), Diogo Costa (Porto, GK). The squad mourns Diogo Jota, who tragically passed in July 2025. This will be the first major tournament without him. Qualifying: 9-1 hammering of Armenia in Porto (Nov 16, 2025) without suspended Ronaldo.
DR Congo (Les Léopards) make their first World Cup appearance since 1974, when they competed as Zaire (52-year wait, ended in March 2026). French coach Sébastien Desabre (since August 2022) rebuilt the squad with European-based dual-eligible players. Captain Chancel Mbemba (Lille, 107 caps – all-time record) is the spine of the defence and scored the winning penalty in the playoff shootout vs Nigeria. Cédric Bakambu (Real Betis, 21 goals for Congo, born France, switched 2015) is the talisman. Other stars: striker Yoane Wissa (Newcastle), midfielder Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham), Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Arthur Masuaku (Lens). Their journey: 2nd in CAF Group B, beat Cameroon and Nigeria in African playoffs, then beat Jamaica 1-0 in inter-confederation playoff final on March 31, 2026, in Guadalajara via Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley) extra-time winner from a corner.
Best bet: Portugal are massive favourites with their elite midfield and quality in every department. Ronaldo will be desperate to make a statement in what is widely expected to be his final World Cup, alongside Bernardo Silva’s likely third and last. DR Congo are dangerous however, especially with Mbemba’s leadership and Bakambu/Wissa’s threat up front. Portugal’s defensive instability could be exposed on the counter. Over 2.5 goals has value with Portugal’s attacking output. Ronaldo anytime scorer is the smart pick. This is the first ever meeting between the two nations.
Likely Winner
🇵🇹 Portugal
Total Goals
Over 2.5
BTTS
No
Score
3 – 0
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Key Players to Watch
The standout names who could decide this Group K opener.
PORTUGAL
Coach: Roberto Martínez
Cristiano Ronaldo (C)
Striker · Al-Nassr, 6th World Cup
Bruno Fernandes
Midfielder · Manchester United
Vitinha
Midfielder · PSG, 3rd Ballon d’Or 2025
Bernardo Silva
Midfielder · Manchester City
Diogo Costa
Goalkeeper · FC Porto
DR CONGO
Coach: Sébastien Desabre
Chancel Mbemba (C)
Defender · Lille, 107 caps
Cédric Bakambu
Striker · Real Betis, 21 intl goals
Yoane Wissa
Forward · Newcastle United
Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Defender · West Ham
Lionel Mpasi
Goalkeeper · Le Havre
Match Venue
NRG Stadium
Houston, Texas · FIFA: Houston Stadium
Capacity
72,220
Opened
2002
Location
Houston
WC Games
7
Opened in 2002, NRG Stadium is the home of the NFL Houston Texans and famous for being the first NFL stadium with a retractable roof. The roof will likely be closed for this afternoon kickoff given Texas June heat. Located in NRG Park alongside the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo grounds. Hosts 7 World Cup matches including a Round of 16 on July 4. The METRORail Red Line runs directly to NRG Park, making it the easiest match-day access. Germany also play here vs Curaçao on June 14, and Portugal play Uzbekistan here on June 23.
Head-to-Head Record
Portugal and DR Congo have never met before at senior international level. This is the first ever fixture between Portugal and the Leopards. Portugal’s only previous African Lusophone history is mostly with Angola and Cape Verde, while DR Congo (as Zaire in 1974) played West Germany, Brazil, Scotland and Yugoslavia in their only previous World Cup.
0
🇵🇹 POR Wins
0
Draws
0
🇨🇩 COD Wins
First Ever Meeting
⚽ No previous matches: Portugal vs DR Congo is a debut head-to-head fixture
Two nations meet on football’s biggest stage for the first time. DR Congo return to the World Cup after 52 years, while Portugal seek their first ever World Cup trophy with Ronaldo’s last tournament dance.
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iOS · Android
Smart TV
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Firestick
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Console
Xbox · PS5
Frequently Asked Questions
In the United States the match airs on Fox (English) and Telemundo (Spanish), with streaming on FuboTV and Peacock. Portuguese fans can watch free on RTP1 or stream on RTP Play. Congolese viewers get free coverage on RTNC (Radio-Télévision Nationale Congolaise), with paid options via Canal+ Afrique and SuperSport. BBC One and BBC iPlayer stream the match free in the UK. TF1/M6 carry it free in France. beIN Sports covers MENA.
Kickoff is 1:00 PM ET on Wednesday June 17, 2026 (17:00 GMT). Locally in Houston it is 12:00 PM CDT. That works out to 10:00 AM PT in Los Angeles, 6:00 PM WEST in Lisbon, 7:00 PM CAT in Kinshasa, 6:00 PM BST in the UK, 9:00 PM GST in Dubai, and 10:30 PM IST in India.
Yes. RTP1 is free in Portugal, RTNC is free in DR Congo, BBC iPlayer and ITVX are free in the UK, TF1 and M6 are free in France, CTV is free in Canada, SBS is free in Australia, and Alkass is free across MENA.
Connect ExpressVPN or NordVPN to a Portuguese server for RTP, a UK server for BBC iPlayer or ITVX, a French server for TF1, a Congolese server for RTNC, or your home country server while traveling abroad. Only use a VPN with services you legally subscribe to.
Fox carries the English broadcast and Telemundo handles Spanish. You can watch through FuboTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Peacock.
beIN Sports HD 1 is at 11013 H on Es’hailSat 26°E. The full satellite frequency list is in the section above.
Portugal are heavy favourites as reigning UEFA Nations League champions with Cristiano Ronaldo leading them into his record 6th and final World Cup. The midfield is arguably the best in world football with Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, João Neves, and Bernardo Silva. DR Congo are making their first World Cup appearance since 1974 under Sébastien Desabre, with captain Chancel Mbemba and striker Cédric Bakambu the main threats. Our prediction is a 3-0 Portugal win. The two nations have never played before.
1XBET has competitive odds for this Group K opener with Ronaldo at his last World Cup plus a welcome bonus up to $130 for new users. Always gamble responsibly.
More Matches to Watch
Catch the rest of Group K and other key matches on Watch to Football.
🇵🇹 Portugal Remaining Group K
🇨🇩 DR Congo Remaining Group K
More World Cup 2026 Matches
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