2026 World Cup Matchday 1 Concludes
The opening day of the 2026 World Cup wraps up today, featuring the last eight teams kicking off their tournament journeys.
One significant match in Group K is between Portugal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This encounter is noteworthy for several reasons.
It marks the first time these nations have faced off since the Congo joined the World Cup scene in 1974. Plus, the match sees Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo joining Lionel Messi as the only players to appear in six World Cups.
Alongside Ronaldo, the Portuguese squad includes Bruno Fernandes, the Manchester United captain who recently set a record for the most assists in a Premier League season.
Portugal vs. Democratic Republic of the Congo: Key Details
- What: 2026 FIFA World Cup, Group Stage
- When: June 17th at 1:00 PM ET
- Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
- Channel: FOX (English), Telemundo (Spanish)
- Streaming: DIRECTV (free trial available)
The Democratic Republic of the Congo made it to this year’s World Cup after defeating Cameroon, Nigeria, and Jamaica. Their success came from a squad filled with players primarily from European clubs.
If you’re looking to catch Portugal’s World Cup opener, here’s what you need to know.
Viewing Options for Portugal vs. Democratic Republic of the Congo
If you’re not tied to cable or an antenna, you can still stream the match live. I’ve found DIRECTV to be a pretty solid choice for watching sports without any fees for five days. It includes FOX and Telemundo among its many channels.
Another option? A free trial of FOX One. After three days, you’d have access to all the World Cup matches for $19.99 monthly.
Portugal’s World Cup Schedule
| Date and Time | Opponent | TV Channels |
|---|---|---|
| June 17th, 1:00 PM ET | Democratic Republic of the Congo | FOX |
| June 23rd, 1:00 PM ET | Uzbekistan | FOX |
| June 27th, 7:30 PM ET | Colombia | FOX |
Democratic Republic of the Congo World Cup Schedule
| Date and Time | Opponent | TV Channels |
|---|---|---|
| June 17th, 1:00 PM ET | Portugal | FOX |
| June 23rd, 10:00 PM ET | Colombia | FS1 |
| June 27th, 7:30 PM ET | Uzbekistan | FS1 |
Portugal’s World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers:
- Diogo Costa
- Jose Sa
- Louis Silva
Defenders:
- Nelson Semedo
- Ruben Diaz
- Tomas Araujo
- Diogo Dalot
- Renato Viego
- Gonzalo Inacio
- Joan Cancelo
- Nuno Mendes
Midfielders:
- Matheus Nunez
- Bruno Fernandes
- Bernard Siva
- Joan Neves
- Ruben Neves
- Vicinha
- Sam Costa
Forwards:
- Cristiano Ronaldo (captain)
- Gonzalo Ramos
- Joan Felix
- Francisco Trincão
- Rafael Lean
- Pedro Neto
- Gonzalo Guedes
- Francisco Conceição
Democratic Republic of the Congo World Cup Squad
Goalkeepers:
- Lionel Mpasi
- Timothy Fayulu
- Mathieu Eppolo
Defenders:
- Aaron Wan-Bissaka
- Steve Capadi
- Axel Tuanzebe
- Dylan Batubinska
- Joris Kayembe
- Prime Minister Mbemba (captain)
- Gedeon Karl
- Arthur Masuaku
Midfielders:
- Galael Mukau
- Samuel Muthusamy
- Theo Bongonda
- Frog Kakuda
- Noah Saki
- Aaron Cibola
- Charles Pickel
- Ed Kaembe
Forwards:
- Nathanael Mbuku
- Brian Shipenga
- Meshack Area
- Cedric Bakambu
- Fiston Mayere
- Yoan Wisa
- Simon Banza
