Portugal and DR Congo get their World Cup 2026 campaigns underway in this opening group stage fixture. The match kicks off on Wednesday 17 June at 6 (BST) at NRG Stadium, United States. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two nations on the international stage.
Both teams enter the tournament in solid form, aiming for a positive start. Portugal are the favourites on paper, yet Congo DR have proven to be resilient. Our prediction for Portugal vs. Congo DR suggests Portugal are strong favourites for this opening fixture.
Find out where to watch the match and what our predictions are, as well as the probable lineups for today’s encounter.
Match Overview - Portugal vs. Congo DR
- Portugal enters the World Cup 2026 opener with strong momentum, winning their last three friendly matches. They aim for a strong start.
- Congo DR arrives with an impressive record, losing only two of their last ten international fixtures. They will be a challenging opponent in this opening clash.
- This historic match marks the first meeting between these two nations. With no prior head-to-head data, both teams face unknown territory.
Head-to-Head Record
- This is the first-ever meeting between Portugal and Congo DR.
- Portugal come into the tournament in strong form, having won seven of their last ten international matches, losing only once.
- Congo DR have proven difficult to beat, losing just two of their last ten games while recording five draws in that period.
- The Portuguese attack has been impressive, scoring 27 goals across their last ten fixtures, an average of 2.7 per match.
- Congo DR: Cédric Bakambu is a key player, contributing four goals and two assists in his last nine international appearances.
Portugal's Form and Momentum
Portugal enters the World Cup with strong momentum after winning their last three friendly matches. They boast seven victories and just one loss in their last ten international outings, giving them a psychological edge. No players are injured, ensuring a full-strength squad.
Their World Cup Qualification Europe 2024 campaign showed attacking prowess, including a 9-1 win over Armenia. However, a 2-0 loss to the Republic of Ireland revealed vulnerabilities. This suggests they can both dominate and be susceptible to upsets.
Defender Nélson Semedo, with two assists in four appearances, is a creative asset. This stability will help Portugal impose their style.
Congo DR's Form and Momentum
DR Congo begin their World Cup 2026 campaign in resilient form, having lost only one of their last ten international games. This includes strong showings in the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup qualifiers, making them tough opponents.
Their defensive strength is notable, with a recent clean sheet against Denmark. They also advanced unbeaten from their Africa Cup of Nations 2025 group. This solidity will be crucial when facing a powerful attacking opponent.
A full-strength Congo DR squad relies on key attacker Cédric Bakambu. He has been influential, scoring four goals and two assists in nine appearances. His finishing could be decisive.
Portugal vs. Congo DR Prediction: Portugal Favoured for a Comfortable Win
Portugal enters this World Cup opener in amazing attacking form, having scored 27 goals in their last ten matches. This offensive pressure should lead to a high-scoring affair, making the "Game & Goals – Double Chance & Over/Under – Full Time – 12 – +2.5" market an interesting option for this fixture.
Congo DR’s defensive resilience, with just one loss in their last ten matches, will face a significant test. Portugal will likely aim to assert dominance early, suggesting a goal could come in the first half. Therefore, considering the "Goals – Over/Under – Half Time – +0.5" market is a smart move.
Considering Portugal’s superior firepower and strong recent results, they are the clear favourites in this encounter. Our main prediction is for a comfortable victory, backing Portugal to cover the "Asian Handicap -1.5" by winning by at least a two-goal margin.
  | ||
| Double Chance & Over/Under | Over 2.5 goals and the match not to end in a draw | |
| Over/Under | Over 0.5 goals in the first half | |
The odds mentioned were collected during the writing of this prediction and may change. Always check with the bookmaker for the latest information.
| ||
| Double Chance & Over/Under | Over 2.5 goals and the match not to end in a draw | |
| Over/Under | Over 0.5 goals in the first half | |
Where to Watch Portugal vs. Congo DR
For those wondering where to watch Portugal vs DR Congo, we’ve got you covered. Here are the live broadcast details for the match:
- TV: BBC One UK, BBC iPlayer (GBR), BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR), BBC Sport (GBR)
- Streaming: BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport Web
Portugal vs. Congo DR Predicted Lineups
As the World Cup 2026 championship begins, attention turns to the tactical strategies employed for this initial match. The anticipated Portugal lineup is expected to showcase a controlled approach, while the Congo DR lineup appears structured to effectively counter their opponent’s strengths. With both teams boasting fully fit squads, this promises to be an intriguing encounter as they aim for a strong start in the competition.
Portugal
D.Costa; J. Cancelo, R.Dias, G.Inácio, N. Mendes; Vitinha, J.Neves, B.Fernandes; B. Silva, P. Neto, C. Ronaldo.
Manager: Roberto Martínez.
Congo DR
L. Mpasi-Nzau; A. Tuanzebe, Ch. Mbemba, S. Kapaudi; S. Moutoussamy, N. Mukaku, N. Sadiki, A. Wan-Bissaka, A. Masuaku; Y. Wissa, C. Bakambu.
Manager: Sébastien Desabre.
Match Details
Here are the match details:
- Match: Portugal vs. Congo DR
- Competition: World Cup 2026
- Date: 17/06/2026
- Kick-off: 6 PM (BST)
- Venue: NRG Stadium, United States
- Broadcast: BBC iPlayer, BBC One UK, BBC Sport Web, BBC Radio 5 Live (GBR), BBC Sport (GBR)
Enjoyed our betting analysis? Share it with your friends and check out more of our predictions on the site.
For more expert insights and analysis on the biggest upcoming matches, be sure to explore our dedicated Predictions page. We have got all the key games covered for you.
Please gamble responsibly! You must be 18+ to bet.
