Ronaldo’s Portugal open their World Cup campaign against the Leopards of Congo DR in what could be a statement night — get the full Portugal vs Congo DR Live kick-off time, streaming guide, squads, and match prediction right here.
Match Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Portugal vs Congo DR |
| Date | Wednesday, June 17, 2026 |
| Kick-off (ET) | 1:00 PM ET |
| Kick-off (GMT) | 6:00 PM GMT |
| Kick-off (BST) | 6:00 PM BST |
| Kick-off (Portugal Local) | 7:00 PM WET |
| Kick-off (DR Congo Local) | 7:00 PM WAT |
| Venue | NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas, USA |
| Stage | Group K, Matchday 1 |
How to Watch Portugal vs Congo DR Live Stream Online
USA — FOX / FOX One
- Visit foxsports.com or download the FOX Sports app on your device.
- Sign in with your cable or satellite TV provider credentials.
- Navigate to the live sports section and select Portugal vs Congo DR.
- Cord-cutters can access FOX One via YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, or Fubo.
Canada — TSN / CTV
- Visit TSN.ca or download the TSN app on your preferred device.
- Log in with your cable subscription or sign up for a standalone TSN+ plan ($29.99/month).
- Select the Portugal vs Congo DR match from the live sports schedule.
- Some matches are available free on the CTV app — check your local listings before kick-off.
UK — BBC One / BBC iPlayer
- Visit bbc.co.uk/iplayer or download the BBC iPlayer app on any device.
- Create or sign in to a free BBC account — no subscription charge applies.
- Navigate to BBC One live or search for Portugal vs Congo DR in the sports section.
- A valid UK TV licence is required to watch live content on BBC platforms.
Australia — SBS / SBS On Demand
- Visit sbs.com.au or download the SBS On Demand app for free.
- Create a free SBS account — no subscription or payment is required.
- Find Portugal vs Congo DR in the FIFA World Cup 2026 hub.
- The match airs live and free; all 104 World Cup games are on SBS this tournament.
Portugal — RTP / Sport TV
- Visit rtp.pt or download the RTP Play app on your smartphone or smart TV.
- Sign in to a free RTP account for streaming access.
- Select the Portugal vs Congo DR match from the live schedule.
- Pay-TV subscribers can also access full coverage via Sport TV and its online app.
DR Congo — RTGA / beIN Sports Africa
- Check local listings on RTGA (Radio-Télévision Gouvernementale d’Anjouan) or regional broadcasters.
- beIN Sports Africa subscribers can access the match via the beIN Sports app.
- Download the beIN Connect app and log in with your active subscription.
- Verify your region’s confirmed broadcaster on the FIFA official website for the latest updates.
Which TV Channels Will Broadcast Portugal vs Congo DR?
| Region | TV Channel(s) | Kick-off Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|
| USA | FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish) | 1:00 PM ET |
| Canada | TSN, CTV (select matches) | 1:00 PM ET |
| UK | BBC One | 6:00 PM BST |
| Australia | SBS, SBS VICELAND | 3:00 AM AEST (Jun 18) |
| Portugal | RTP, Sport TV | 7:00 PM WET |
| DR Congo | RTGA, beIN Sports Africa | 7:00 PM WAT |
In the UK, BBC and ITV share the World Cup broadcasting rights, with coverage entirely free-to-air across their respective platforms and streaming services.
In Australia, SBS holds exclusive rights to all 104 matches, keeping every game completely free-to-air with no subscription required.
In the USA, FOX and FS1 are the English-language home for all World Cup action, though cable or a live-TV streaming subscription is needed.
Match Preview
Portugal arrive as genuine pre-tournament favourites, with Cristiano Ronaldo heading to what could be his final World Cup knowing a first global title is the one trophy still missing from his legendary collection.
DR Congo make their second World Cup appearance and first since 1974, when they competed as Zaire — making 2026 their debut under their current national identity.
Portugal are expected to dominate possession and control the match tempo, while DR Congo will rely on their pace and physical midfield presence to threaten on the counter-attack.
Roberto Martínez’s side carry significant attacking depth across wide areas and through the middle, which should give them multiple routes to goal against a Leopards defence facing this stage for the first time.
Portugal have kept clean sheets in four of their last five competitive fixtures, while DR Congo’s Yoane Wissa remains their biggest attacking threat and Chancel Mbemba will be pivotal to any defensive resilience.
Both squads are subject to fitness assessments in the days leading up to kick-off, with the heat and humidity of Houston an additional factor coaches must manage.
Portugal Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
| # | Position | Player Name | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Diogo Costa | FC Porto |
| 2 | GK | Rui Silva | Sporting CP |
| 3 | GK | José Sá | Wolverhampton |
| 4 | GK | Ricardo Velho | Gençlerbirliği |
| 5 | DEF | Rúben Dias | Manchester City |
| 6 | DEF | Gonçalo Inácio | Sporting CP |
| 7 | DEF | João Cancelo | FC Barcelona |
| 8 | DEF | Nuno Mendes | PSG |
| 9 | DEF | Diogo Dalot | Manchester United |
| 10 | DEF | Nélson Semedo | Fenerbahçe |
| 11 | DEF | Tomás Araújo | Benfica |
| 12 | DEF | Renato Veiga | Villarreal |
| 13 | MID | Vitinha | PSG |
| 14 | MID | João Neves | PSG |
| 15 | MID | Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United |
| 16 | MID | Rúben Neves | Al Hilal |
| 17 | MID | Matheus Nunes | Manchester City |
| 18 | MID | Samú Costa | Mallorca |
| 19 | MID | Bernardo Silva | Manchester City |
| 20 | FWD | Cristiano Ronaldo | Al Nassr |
| 21 | FWD | Francisco Trincão | Sporting CP |
| 22 | FWD | João Félix | Al Nassr |
| 23 | FWD | Gonçalo Ramos | PSG |
| 24 | FWD | Pedro Neto | Chelsea |
| 25 | FWD | Francisco Conceição | Juventus |
| 26 | FWD | Rafael Leão | AC Milan |
| 27 | FWD | Gonçalo Guedes | Real Sociedad |
Key Players to Watch
- Cristiano Ronaldo: The 41-year-old captain is attending a record sixth World Cup, chasing the one major trophy that has eluded him throughout his glittering career.
- Bruno Fernandes: The Manchester United captain produced a record-breaking domestic season with nine goals and a Premier League-record 21 assists, and he pulls the strings at the heart of Portugal’s attack.
- Rafael Leão: The AC Milan winger brings explosive pace and directness down the left channel, capable of punishing any defensive line that sits too deep.
Congo DR Squad for FIFA World Cup 2026
| # | Position | Player Name | Club |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Matthieu Epolo | Standard Liège |
| 2 | GK | Timothy Fayulu | FC Noah |
| 3 | GK | Lionel Mpasi | Le Havre |
| 4 | DEF | Chancel Mbemba (C) | Lille |
| 5 | DEF | Aaron Wan-Bissaka | West Ham United |
| 6 | DEF | Axel Tuanzebe | Burnley |
| 7 | DEF | Arthur Masuaku | Lens |
| 8 | DEF | Gédéon Kalulu | Aris Limassol |
| 9 | DEF | Joris Kayembe | Genk |
| 10 | DEF | Steve Kapuadi | Widzew Łódź |
| 11 | DEF | Dylan Batubinsika | AEL |
| 12 | DEF | Aaron Tshibola | Kilmarnock |
| 13 | MID | Noah Sadiki | Sunderland |
| 14 | MID | Charles Pickel | Espanyol |
| 15 | MID | Edo Kayembe | Watford |
| 16 | MID | Samuel Moutoussamy | Atromitos |
| 17 | MID | Ngal’ayel Mukau | Lille |
| 18 | MID | Nathanaël Mbuku | Montpellier |
| 19 | MID | Meschak Elia | Alanyaspor |
| 20 | MID | Brian Cipenga | Castellón |
| 21 | MID | Gaël Kakuta | AEL |
| 22 | MID | Théo Bongonda | Spartak Moscow |
| 23 | FWD | Cédric Bakambu | Real Betis |
| 24 | FWD | Yoane Wissa | Newcastle United |
| 25 | FWD | Fiston Mayele | Pyramids FC |
| 26 | FWD | Simon Banza | Al Jazira |
Key Players to Watch
- Yoane Wissa: The Newcastle United striker is DR Congo’s most dangerous attacker, bringing pace, direct running, and a clinical finish — Desabre needs him stretching Portugal’s defence from the first whistle.
- Chancel Mbemba: The captain holds the national record with 107 caps, and after rebuilding his career from Newcastle to Lille, this team runs through him defensively.
- Cédric Bakambu: The veteran striker sits on 21 international goals, one short of the all-time DR Congo record, and his LaLiga experience and aerial threat make him a genuine danger at set pieces.
Upcoming Match Schedule
Portugal — Next Fixtures
| Date | Opponent | Stage | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 17, 2026 | Congo DR | Group K, MD1 | NRG Stadium | 1:00 PM |
| Jun 23, 2026 | Uzbekistan | Group K, MD2 | NRG Stadium | 1:00 PM |
| Jun 27, 2026 | Colombia | Group K, MD3 | Hard Rock Stadium | 7:30 PM |
Congo DR — Next Fixtures
| Date | Opponent | Stage | Venue | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 17, 2026 | Portugal | Group K, MD1 | NRG Stadium | 1:00 PM |
| Jun 23, 2026 | Colombia | Group K, MD2 | Estadio Akron | 10:00 PM |
| Jun 27, 2026 | Uzbekistan | Group K, MD3 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | 7:30 PM |
Portugal vs Congo DR Prediction
Portugal carry the class, depth, and tournament experience to win this comfortably — analysts put their win probability at over 75%, and their superior squad quality across every line makes them heavy favourites to collect three points in Houston.
Portugal have scored two or more goals in six of their last seven international matches, which bodes well for a convincing opening performance against a DR Congo side at their first World Cup since 1974.
A predicted scoreline of Portugal 3–1 Congo DR feels right — the Leopards have the pace through Wissa to threaten on the break, but Portugal’s firepower and defensive organisation should ultimately prove too much. Football, of course, always reserves the right to surprise us.
FAQs
What time does Portugal vs Congo DR kick off?
The match kicks off at 1:00 PM ET / 6:00 PM GMT / 6:00 PM BST on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. Australian fans will need to set their alarms for 3:00 AM AEST on June 18.
Where can I watch Portugal vs Congo DR in the USA?
The match is live on FOX and FOX One at 1:00 PM ET, with streaming available through the FOX Sports app and platforms such as YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, and Fubo.
Have Portugal and Congo DR ever played each other before?
None of the Group K matchups have occurred previously, meaning Portugal vs Congo DR will be a first-ever meeting between the two nations.
Who is the key player to watch for Congo DR?
Yoane Wissa is the Leopards’ most dangerous attacker — fast, lethal in front of goal, and riding a run of brilliant form at Newcastle United — while veteran Cédric Bakambu brings the big-game experience this young squad needs.
What is the prediction for Portugal vs Congo DR?
The Opta supercomputer gives Portugal a 59% chance of winning Group K and has them qualifying in nearly 95% of simulations, making them heavy favourites on matchday one. A Portugal win by two or more goals is the most likely outcome, though Congo DR’s pace on the counter makes them capable of getting on the scoresheet.
