Result Portugal - DR Congo, Wednesday, 17 June 2026, World Cup Group K In their first Group K match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday, June 17, Portugal and DR Congo ended in a 1-1 draw at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. João Neves put Portugal ahead with a goal in the 6th minute, but Yoane Wissa brought DR Congo level just before the halftime break. In addition to Cristiano Ronaldo, two Serie A players are expected to play a crucial role. Juventus winger Francisco Conceição and AC Milan's Rafael Leão are both dynamic, talented athletes who serve as key attacking players for the Portugal national team and their respective prestigious European clubs. They are known for their remarkable speed, dribbling abilities, and knack for creating scoring opportunities in the offensive zone. Portugal is certainly relying on these wingers to provide quick pace, technical dribbling, and essential width in their attack. 🇵🇹    Highlights: 1. Cristiano Ronaldo has joined Argentina's Lionel Messi as the only players in history to participate in six different FIFA World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026). 2. At the age of 41 years and 132 days, he made history by starting against DR Congo, becoming the oldest outfield player to ever start a World Cup match.

NEW RECORD: Cristiano Ronaldo is now the oldest outfield player to start a World Cup match at 41 years and 132 days old. (June 17, 2026).

 

Key points

Head-To-Head: This is the first time these two nations will meet.

FIFA Ranking

Portugal is currently positioned 5th in the FIFA World Rankings, while DR Congo holds the 46th spot. Portugal: The Portuguese team enters the tournament as strong favorites. This could be the final World Cup for the 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who is eager to add the global trophy to his illustrious career. DR Congo: Making their return to the global finals for the first time since 1974 (when they were known as Zaire), the Congolese team is looking to showcase their talent with a squad that includes Premier League players like Yoane Wissa and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.    

👉   Serie A players called up for     🇵🇹     the Portugal National team:

• Juventus forward Francisco  Conceição
• AC Milan forward Rafael Leão

👉   No Serie A players in   🇨🇩    the DR Congo National team:

👉   Click here for  Full 2026 World Cup Squad Lists – Confirmed rosters for all 48 teams. 👉  Click here for  2026 World Cup Group Stage Standings.  

🏆👉 🇵🇹 Portugal 1 - 0 DR Congo 🇨🇩

⚽️   In the 6th minute, Portugal takes the lead with a goal from João Neves.   The Congo defense made too many mistakes, allowing the PSG midfielder to time his run perfectly in the penalty area and head in a beautiful cross from Pedro Neto. Neto provided an impeccable delivery from the left, and Joao Neves, of all players, leapt in the center to direct a bending, looping header into the top-right corner!!  

🏆👉 🇵🇹 Portugal 1 - 1 DR Congo 🇨🇩

In the 45+5 minute, Yoane Wissa scores to level the match for Congo. Masuaku delivers a cross that finds Wissa's head, allowing him to beat Diego Costa. Wissa rises above everyone to direct a free header into the top-left corner from a short distance. This marks DR Congo's very first World Cup goal, bringing the score to 1–1!!

   Portugal World Cup 2026 Squad:

• Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting CP); Ricardo Velho (Gençlerbirliği Ankara)
• Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United); Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce SK), Joao Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal); Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Tomas Araujo (SL Benfica)
• Midfielders:  Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samuel Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
• Forwards: Joao Félix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG); Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)

   DR Congo World Cup 2026 Squad: 

• Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre)
• Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa), Rocky Bushiri (Hibernian), Gedoon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham)
• Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor), Gael Kakuta (Larisa), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal’ayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland)
• Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United)

 

Portugal official starting lineup against DR Congo

Photo via x.com/selecaoportugal  

DR Congo official starting lineup against Portugal

Credit via x.com/FecofaRdc             Buy FIFA World Cup Tickets Sports, Football, Soccer, FIFA World Cup Tickets World Cup Group K Matchday 1 🇵🇹   Portugal - DR Congo  🇨🇩 Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT Location: NRG Stadium Houston, Texas Referee: Abdulrahman Al-Jassim QAT Assistant Referee 1: Taleb Al-Marri QAT Assistant Referee 2: Saoud Al-Maqaleh QAT Fourth Official: Abongile Tom RSA Reserve AR: Zakhele Siwela RSA VAR: Khamis Al-Marri QAT AVAR: Juan Soto VEN SVAR: Hernan Mastrangelo ARG ⚽️ Goals:  6' João Neves (P), 45+5' Yoane Wissa (C) 🟨 Yellow Cards:  13' Bernardo Silva (P), 32' Chancel Mbemba (C) ✅ Official lineups - Tabellino: 🇵🇹    Portugal Lineup 4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; João Cancelo, Tomás Araújo, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; João Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes; Bernardo Silva, Pedro Neto, Cristiano Ronaldo Substitutes: Gonçalo Ramos, João Félix, Rafael Leão, Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Guedes, Matheus Nunes, Rúben Neves, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Nélson Semedo, Diogo Dalot, Samú Costa, Rui Silva, José Sá, Francisco Trincão Head Coach: Roberto Martínez 🇨🇩   DR Congo Lineup (5-3-2): Lionel Mpasi; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Steve Kapuadi, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba (Captain), Arthur Masuaku; Ngal'ayel Mukau, Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe; Yoane Wissa, Cédric Bakambu