Portugal vs. DR Congo live score, result, highlights from 2026 World Cup Group K match

As Portugal begins its quest in the 2026 World Cup, all eyes will be on Cristiano Ronaldo.

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Since his last World Cup appearance in 2022, the 41-year-old has played his entire career in Saudi Arabia for Al-Nass, choosing to move on from the bigger leagues in Europe. In doing so, Ronaldo has not had a chance to play against many of the world’s best, making this potentially his final opportunity to secure a World Cup title.

This is Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup appearance, but his best finish remains Portugal’s fourth-place finish in 2006. Four years ago, Portugal lost in the quarterfinals, which was the country’s best finish since making the semifinals in Ronaldo’s first year.

While Portugal is considered the favorite in the group, the Democratic Republic of Congo is hoping to make an unexpected run to the knockout stage. This is DR Congo’s second-ever appearance in the World Cup, previously making the tournament in 1974 as the Republic of Zaire, and the team lost all of its matches.

DR Congo beat Jamaica in March qualifying to earn its place in the tournament after failing to make it through the Africa Cup of Nations. Yoane Wissa will have to lead the way offensively, but DR Congo is here largely due to its defense.

The Sporting News is tracking live scoring updates and highlights for Portugal vs. DR Congo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Follow for complete results from the Group K match in Houston.

STREAM: Watch the 2026 World Cup live with fubo (U.S. only free trial)

Portugal vs. DR Congo score

Location: Houston
Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar)

Starting lineups:

Portugal (4-3-3, right to left): 1. D. Costa (GK) — 25. Mendes, 13. Veiga, 4. Araujo, 20. Cancelo (D) — 23. Vitinha, 15. J. Neves, 8. Fernandes (M) — 18. Neto, 7. Ronaldo, 10. B. Silva (F)

DR Congo (5-3-2, right to left): 1. Mpasi-Nzau (GK) — 26. Masuaku, 3. Kapuadi, 22. Mbemba, 4. Tuanzebe, 2. Wan-Bissaka (D) — 6. N. Mukau, 8. Moutoussamy, 25. E. Kayembe (M) — 17. C. Bakambu, 20. Y. Wissa (F) 

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Portugal vs. DR Congo live updates, highlights from 2026 World Cup

(All times ET)

Prematch

12:57 p.m.: Now that the national anthems are over, we are moments away from the start of this match.

12:45 p.m.: Ronaldo arrived to NRG Stadium in Houston ready to begin his World Cup on Wednesday afternoon.

Twenty years of FIFA World Cup appearances 🇵🇹
Cristiano Ronaldo arrives ahead of Portugal’s opener. pic.twitter.com/8zwm2Me3CN

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 17, 2026

12:25 p.m.: Ronaldo is making history by starting this match for Portugal.

🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: With 41 years and 132 days, Cristiano Ronaldo becomes the OLDEST outfield player in HISTORY to start in a FIFA World Cup match! 🇵🇹💫 pic.twitter.com/eqKs12Gizr

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) June 17, 2026

12:00 p.m.: And here’s how DR Congo will line up for the match, with Yoane Wissa leadign the way.

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🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: DR Congo XI in the World Cup vs Portugal! 🇨🇩💫 pic.twitter.com/AMydkg8EQz

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) June 17, 2026

11:50 a.m.: Ronaldo is officially starting in his first match of the World Cup for Portugal. Here’s a look at the full lineup:

🚨 OFFICIAL: PORTUGAL XI VS DR CONGO. @ActuFoot_ pic.twitter.com/mbiBIuEjUY

— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 17, 2026

11:35 a.m.: This is DR Congo’s first World Cup match since 1974, when it qualified for the World Cup as Zaire. The country went 0-0-3 in that World Cup appearance.

11:10 a.m.: There has been reporting that Portugal manager Roberto Martinez is coaching his final World Cup with the team regardless of Portugal’s results this year.

BREAKING: Roberto Martinez will leave Portugal after this World Cup regardless of how the team performs.

Martinez has already decided not to renew his contract, which expires after the tournament.

He is open to a Premier League return, but hasn’t ruled out taking another… pic.twitter.com/V3dr45VfCT

— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) June 16, 2026

10:25 a.m.: DR Congo’s team arrived to the United States in style.

No stronger luggage game than the DR Congo national team 🧳🔥 pic.twitter.com/uICzuyEJwy

— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) June 12, 2026

10:10 a.m.: The best players in the world have gotten off to a fast start, putting more pressure on Ronaldo entering Wednesday’s match.

Kylian Mbappé: 2 Goals
Erling Haaland: 2 Goals
Lionel Messi: 3 Goals
Cristiano Ronaldo: ???

What can we expect from Ronaldo in Portugal’s World Cup opener? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/jKRZ2HeHxH

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) June 17, 2026

9:45 a.m.: DR Congo is not expected to have it’s most famous fan at the game, a man who poses as the statue of the country’s first prime minister. However, he should be in attendance later in the tournament.

DR CONGO WILL BE WITHOUT THEIR STATUE SUPER FAN AGAINST PORTUGAL 📷

Michel Kuka Mboladinga, who goes by the nickname Lumumba Vea, went viral during this year’s AFCON tournament for posing like the country’s statue of its first prime minister for the entirety of the games.… pic.twitter.com/ktJSkjClfM

— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) June 17, 2026

9:15 a.m.: This will be Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup, which is tied for the most by any player ever. Only Lionel Messi, who officially appeared in his sixth World Cup on Tuesday night, has the same number of World Cup appearances.

Where to watch Portugal vs. DR Congo in World Cup

Portugal vs. DR Congo start time

• Date: Wednesday, June 17
• Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET

Portugal and DR Congo will play in their first World Cup match to kick off action on Wednesday, June 17, from Houston, Texas.

What channel is Portugal vs. DR Congo on today?

• TV channel: Fox
• Live stream: Fubo (U.S. only free trial)

Fox will be broadcasting Wednesday’s match between Portugal and DR Congo in the United States, with Darren Fletcher and Owen Hargreaves on the call. Tom Rinaldi and Alex Aljoe will also be reporting in the game.

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MORE WORLD CUP NEWS:

• Who will win the World Cup in 2026?
• Updated FIFA World Rankings
• How World Cup qualifying works
• Explaining the expanded World Cup bracket
• Full list of teams to qualify for 2026 World Cup

Portugal World Cup schedule 2026

DR Congo World Cup schedule 2026