PortugalvsDR Congo

Portugal and DR Congo drew 1–1. Goalscorers — Portugal: J. Neves 6'; DR Congo: Y. Wissa 45'+5.

Portugal met DR Congo in Group K of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at Houston Stadium in Houston on Wednesday, June 17, 2026. It is one of the six matches in Group K, where the four sides each play three games and the top two advance directly to the Round of 32. With the eight best third-placed teams across the 12 groups also progressing, points here carry real weight from the opening whistle.

Portugal go in ranked 5th in the FIFA World Ranking to DR Congo's 45th — a gap of 40 places that marks Portugal out as clear favourites on paper. It is an inter-confederation meeting — Portugal of UEFA against DR Congo of CAF — the kind of contrast in styles the World Cup exists to stage.

Portugal enter the 2026 World Cup in a transitional phase, as the team gradually moves beyond the Cristiano Ronaldo era while building around a new generation of exceptional talent. Under Roberto Martinez, who took charge after leading Belgium and has since brought a more attacking philosophy, the Selecao das Quinas possess remarkable individual quality across the pitch.

DR Congo are one of Africa's most passionate footballing nations, with a fervent fanbase and a squad brimming with athletic, technically gifted players. Les Leopards have experienced a resurgence in recent years, reaching the AFCON semifinals in 2024 for the first time in decades.

Portugal: Portugal's best World Cup finish was third place in 1966, when Eusebio led a memorable campaign in England. DR Congo: DR Congo, then known as Zaire, appeared at their only World Cup in 1974 in West Germany, where they lost all three group matches.

The match is scheduled at Houston Stadium in Houston, United States. Kickoff is scheduled for Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 05:00 PM (01:00 PM ET).