World Cup 2026 lineup, statistics and preview of Cristiano Ronaldo’s team, TV channel, live streaming online and prediction
When Matheus Nunes was reminded of working in his father’s restaurant during Portugal’s 2026 World Cup opening press conference, the Manchester City player admitted he had “never imagined” playing with Selecao captain and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
Once a failed Leicester City scout, Nunes is preparing to meet DR Congo in Houston with 41-year-old Portugal captain Ronaldo, the international’s leading goalscorer and aiming for the title in what is likely to be his last World Cup.
“We are proud to be here with Cristiano,” said Nunes. “Ten years ago I was playing in the sixth division so I never thought about that.
“For us it is a great honor to be here with him. Everyone knows what kind of person he is. If we can win the title for him, it would be a very big thing.”
The pre-tournament trip to the beach, Nunes said, was part of getting used to the weather rather than a sign of weakness from a team that many have called on to challenge.
“I, for example, spend a year playing in Manchester,” explained the 27-year-old. “It’s not that hot over there, it’s a big difference.
“Going to the beach in the morning to get used to the heat, sun and humidity was part of the plan. We don’t spend more time at the beach than in training.”
Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe scored an extra-time goal in Zapopan to send DR Congo to the final with a play-off win against Jamaica.
“What a day it was,” said Burnley’s Tuanzebe, whose previous clubs include Aston Villa and Napoli, speaking to FIFA.
“For me, scoring a goal, I didn’t think too much about self-praise.
“We can be a real dark horse. Most opposition teams don’t really know what we can bring to you in terms of our energy level, the patterns of play and the real combinations we have.”
The two-time African champions are playing for the second time in the World Cup, having lost three games in 1974, against Zaire.
“Our road to the group stage was very difficult,” said coach Sebastien DesabreIt, discussing the run that included seven wins, two draws and two defeats to finish two points behind Senegal, who play automatically in the first round. “It was a do-or-die situation [against Jamaica].”
This is the first game in Group K, which continues when Uzbekistan meet Colombia in Mexico City on Thursday (03:00 BST).
Portugal then face Uzbekistan in Houston on Tuesday (18:00), followed by DR Congo when they face Colombia in Zapopan on Wednesday (03:00).
World Cup 2026: Portugal v DR Congo team news
Manchester City defender Ruben Dias missed the second half of the season through injury but returned in Portugal’s friendlies against Chile and Nigeria this month and is back in full training.
Ronaldo sat out his nation’s first two games of the year injured and started both warm-ups as captain, playing 45 minutes against La Roja followed by 65 minutes against the Super Eagles.
Benfica defender Tomas Araujo could make his second international appearance, having played against Croatia at the Nations League in November 2024.
Samu Costa is another Portuguese player with a total number of one. The Mallorca midfielder’s two competitive appearances were brief appearances against Poland during the Nations League campaign.
Rocky Bushiri has withdrawn from the DR Congo squad due to an Achilles injury while playing for Hibernian on the final day of Scotland’s season.
Kilmarnock midfielder and former England full-back Aaron Tshibola has taken over as a full-back.
Yoane Wissa could make his first major league appearance since September 2024, having struggled with a knee injury and scoring just one Premier League goal last season after joining Newcastle from Brentford for £55 million.
Wissa did not return to fitness in time to feature at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January, where DR Congo’s exit to Algeria in the last 16 marked Gael Kakuta’s last competitive game for his country.
The former Chelsea and France Under-21 winger returned as a second-half substitute in a 2-1 defeat by Chile in a friendly match on June 9.
