Portugal v DR Congo LIVE: World Cup 2026 team news and score updates as Cristiano begins sixth campaign – UK Times

Star player – Yoane Wissa, Newcastle United: The forward arrives in the US following a campaign of frustration at St James’ Park, where the 29-year-old failed to kick on following a big money move because of a nagging knee injury. Fit now, if he can shine like he did during a final campaign at Brentford their chances of making it out of the group grow immeasurably.

Breakout talent – Ngal’ayel Mukau, Lille: One of several players born in Belgium who instead chose to represent the nation of their elders, the tidy midfielder stood out for Lille this season by delivering a series of all-action box-to-box performances. At 21 he appears a player capable of doing everything well, if not yet dazzling in one specific area.

Star player – Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United: The assist machine who was voted by experts and his peers as Premier League player of the season instead of several Arsenal players is the creative king for his country too, despite their envious selection of playmakers. If he can get on the same wavelength as Ronaldo, or whoever plays up top, early on then they may well thrive.

Breakout talent – Joao Neves, Paris Saint-Germain: This squad is so jam packed with household names that it is impossible to name a breakout in the truest sense. But the PSG midfielder appears the most probable to reach a new level of global appreciation following a stunning campaign. At 21, he is set to elevate his status from one of the world’s best young midfielders to one of the top central players full stop.

Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy ​Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre)

Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa), Gedeon ‌Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Racing Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham)

Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Elia Meshack (Alanyaspor), Gael Kakuta (Larissa), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngalayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah ⁠Sadiki (Sunderland), Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock)

Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), ⁠Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), ‌Yoane Wissa (Newcastle)

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Silva (Sporting)

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villareal), Tomas Araujo (Benfica)

Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain)

When The Leopards made their only previous World Cup appearance, in 1974 as Zaire, they were Africa’s sole representative. This time they are one of 10 and seem a dead cert to acquit themselves more positively.

That would not take much considering the side 52 years ago failed to score and conceded 14 in their three group games, including nine to Yugoslavia, but Sebastien Desabre will also bring a team that should be imbued with enough confidence to make the knockouts if they can defeat Uzbekistan.

Axel Tuanzebe was the hero of an elongated qualifying campaign, scoring the extra-time winner in their intercontinental play-off against Jamaica, and he is one of several familiar to fans of English club football.

Noah Sadiki, fresh off an impressive campaign at Sunderland, is vital in midfield while Yoane Wissa, the undisputed star, carries the pressure of finding some magic in open play for a team that is organised and difficult to break down.

While those fixated upon superstardom rather than this being a team sport will be salivating at the prospect of Ronaldo facing Lionel Messi in the quarter-finals for the first time at a World Cup – should they both reach that stage as group winners – this is another tournament in which how Portugal’s biggest name is managed will be decisive.

If Roberto Martinez can involve him sufficiently to ensure minimal histrionics without compromising their ability to win matches, there is little reason why a squad so packed with talent cannot reach the latter stages. Yet if Martinez is to persist with Ronaldo it is easy to see them exiting with a whimper.

Goncalo Ramos may have been used sparingly by Paris Saint-Germain this season but he appears a much better fit up top – regardless of personality and status. Few squads have such an impressive midfield unit, while there is plenty of strength at the back.

Confirmed team news will arrive around 4:45pm BST but here is how both could potentially line up

Portugal XI: D Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; J Neves, Fernandes, Vitinha; Bernardo, Ronaldo, Neto.

DR Congo XI: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Kapuadi, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Sadiki, Mukau; Wissa, Bakambu

A reminder that Ronaldo was sent off in his last competitive match for Portugal – against Ireland in a qualifying defeat in Dublin – but had the last two games of a three-match ban suspended by Fifa … so he would not miss the start of this tournament.

He has since featured in friendlies – which have not quite gone swimmingly.

Viewers in the UK can watch the match free-to-air on BBC 1, BBCiPlayer and the BBC Sport website, with coverage starting at 5:30pm BST.

Hello and welcome to live coverage of Portugal vs DR Congo with the Group K opener getting underway in Houston, Texas at 6pm BST or midday local time.

The attention will be on Cristiano Ronaldo for abundant obvious reasons – he will be the hero or villain in the next month depending on how far Portugal go.

Yet they do face a moderately difficult start to their campaign against a DR Congo side whose form guide suggests no shortage of hard work with a sprinkling of unpredictable talent.

It should be good fun and you can follow every meaningful kick right here.