- Portugal vs DR Congo lineups: Cristiano Ronaldo named in Portugal’s starting lineup.
- The match is set to kick off at 8:00 PM EAT at Houston Stadium.
- Ronaldo is set to lead the attack on his 229th appearance for the national team.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been confirmed in the starting lineup for the side that will face DR Congo in their 2026 World Cup opener on Wednesday night at Houston Stadium.
The 41-year-old icon is set to lead the attack on his 229th appearance for his country, and he has been named captain for the night to ensure the Selecao kick off their Group K campaign on a high.
Ronaldo will be eager to add to his 143 international goals this summer and will look to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 World Cup, where he found the net only once.
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The Al-Nassr striker was sent off against the Republic of Ireland in a qualifier late last year, though he had the second and third matches of his suspension reduced to a year, given it was the veteran’s first red card in 225 international outings.
Official Portugal vs DR Congo Lineups
Coach Roberto Martinez has put together a formidable squad, with the Premier League Player of the Season and record-breaking assist provider Bruno Fernandes anchoring the midfield.
Bernardo Silva, fresh from inking a deal with Real Madrid, will operate out wide, supported by Pedro Neto on the opposite flank.
Diego Costa will marshal the defense as the shot-stopper, shielded by a backline of Joao Cancelo, Tomas Araujo, Renato Veiga, and Nuno Mendes. Vitinha will partner his club teammate Joao Neves in the heart of central defensive midfield.
- Portugal Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Costa; Cancelo, Araujo, Veiga, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha; B. Silva, Fernandes, Neto; Ronaldo.
- Portugal Substitutes: Sa, R. Silva, Semedo, Dias, Dalot, Inacio, S. Costa, Nunes, R. Neves, Ramos, Félix, Trincao, Leao, Guedes, Conceicao.
On the other side, DR Congo are making just their second World Cup appearance, and their first since 1974, when the nation competed under the name Zaire.
For tonight’s historic Group K opener, DR Congo head coach Sebastien Desabre has set up his squad in a defensive 5-3-2 formation, with Lionel Mpasi in goal, protected by a back five of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Steve Kapuadi, and Arthur Masuaku.
The midfield engine will be driven by Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, and Ngal’ayel Mukau, while the dynamic duo of Yoane Wissa and Cedric Bakambu spearhead the attack.
- DR Congo Starting XI (5-3-2): Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Kapuadi, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Kayembe, Mukau; Wissa, Bakambu.
- DR Congo Substitutes: Fayulu, Mbuku, Epolo, Pickel, Bongonda, Elia, Sadiki, Kalulu, Cipenga, Mayele, Tshibola, Batubinsika, Banza, Kakuta, J. Kayembe.
Where to watch Portugal vs DR Congo in Kenya
In Kenya, you can catch the crucial Group K World Cup clash between Portugal and DR Congo live on SuperSport International (via DStv Channel 222) or on Azam TV Kenya through Azam Sports 2 HD and Azam Sports 4 HD.
Since the match kicks off at exactly 8:00pm East African Time (EAT), local football fans can also enjoy the action for free on the national broadcaster KBC Channel 1 and SportyTV, both airing the game free-to-air across their digital and television platforms.