Portugal and DR Congo have confirmed their starting line-ups ahead of their 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K clash. At the NRG Stadium in Houston, Portugal — among the strongest title contenders — take the field.
Roberto Martínez's Portugal start with a star-studded squad. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo leads the attack, with Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, João Neves, Bernardo Silva and Pedro Neto featuring in midfield and out wide. João Cancelo and Nuno Mendes line up in defence, with Diogo Costa in goal. The side stands out for having one of the tournament's strongest midfields.
Sébastien Desabre's DR Congo aim to resist with an organised defence. Captain Chancel Mbemba leads the backline, joined by Premier League-experienced names such as Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe and Arthur Masuaku. Experienced Cédric Bakambu leads the attack, with Yoane Wissa also starting. Lionel Mpasi-Nzau is in goal.
DR Congo last appeared at a World Cup as Zaire in 1974. Having beaten Cameroon, Nigeria and Jamaica to reach the tournament via the playoff, the team know how to perform under pressure. But the gulf in class is wide, and Portugal are expected to take clear control. Refereed by Qatar's Abdulrahman Al-Jassim, the match is a crucial start for both teams' group campaigns.
Starting XIs
Portugal: Costa; Araujo, Cancelo, Mendes; Fernandes, J. Neves, Neto, Veiga, Vitinha; B. Silva, Ronaldo
DR Congo: Mpasi-Nzau; Kapuadi, E. Kayembe, Mbemba, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Mukau, Tuanzebe, Wan-Bissaka; Bakambu, Wissa
Image: goal.com
Tuna Başkan
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