Portugal vs DR Congo prediction, tips and odds | World Cup 2026

Portugal begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against DR Congo in Group K on Wednesday at Houston Stadium, with kickoff at 18:00 BST, and few would bet against Roberto Martinez's side opening with a statement victory in a tournament where they are among the leading contenders for the trophy.

DR Congo return to the World Cup for the first time since competing as Zaire in 1974, a gap of 52 years, and their qualification story alone – sealed by Axel Tuanzebe's 100th-minute header against Jamaica in the intercontinental play-off final – guarantees an emotionally charged occasion even if the gulf in squad quality suggests a difficult afternoon for Sebastien Desabre's Leopards.

Portugal vs DR Congo form and preview

Portugal's recent form reads four wins and a draw from five matches, with 15 goals scored and just three conceded across that run – numbers that underline the relentless attacking quality Martinez has cultivated in this squad.

The 9-1 demolition of Armenia in their final World Cup qualifier was the standout result, a match in which Portugal turned a competitive fixture into an exhibition of clinical finishing to win the group ahead of schedule.

Even against stronger opposition in their pre-tournament friendlies, Portugal have looked convincing, beating the United States 2-0 away from home before edging Chile 2-1 and Nigeria 2-1 in closer but still controlled encounters.

The only blemish was a goalless draw with Mexico, though that result said more about a cagey tactical contest between two sides conserving energy before the tournament than any genuine deficiency in Portugal's play.

Martinez's squad depth is arguably the strongest it has ever been, with players from Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Juventus and Chelsea filling virtually every position, and 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo (228 caps, 143 goals) extending his all-time men's international appearance record at a sixth successive World Cup.

That concentration of elite-level talent, as covered in our football betting guide, makes Portugal genuine contenders for a first World Cup title, and anything other than topping Group K would represent a significant underachievement.

DR Congo's recent record tells a more uneven story: two wins, a draw and two defeats from their last five outings, with just four goals scored.

Both of those victories came against lower-ranked opposition in Bermuda (2-0) and Jamaica (1-0 after extra time in the decisive play-off), so Desabre's side have not yet proven they can beat a team in the world's top 20.

The goalless draw with Denmark in a pre-tournament friendly was an encouraging defensive display, and the Leopards did keep three clean sheets from five matches overall, suggesting that Desabre has at least established some structural solidity at the back.

Against Chile in their most recent fixture, however, DR Congo conceded twice in a 1-2 defeat, and Chile (ranked 29th) represent a level well below what Portugal will bring on Wednesday.

Desabre, who was appointed in August 2022 and guided the Leopards to the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals in 2024, has built a team that competes hard but lacks the individual quality to consistently threaten at the highest level.

DR Congo finished second in their CAF qualifying group behind Senegal with seven wins and 22 points from 10 matches, beat Cameroon and Nigeria in the African play-offs, and then overcame Jamaica via Tuanzebe's dramatic late header, so their route to this tournament has been earned through persistence rather than flair.

Team news: Portugal vs DR Congo

Portugal

Martinez has a fully fit 26-man squad at his disposal, a luxury that allows him to select his strongest possible starting eleven for this Group K opener without any compromises.

Diogo Costa (Porto, aged 26, 43 caps) is expected to start in goal behind a back four of Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio and Nuno Mendes, all of whom play for clubs competing in European competition at the highest level.

The midfield pivot of Vitinha and Joao Neves, both at Paris Saint-Germain, provides the technical control and pressing intensity that Martinez demands, while Bruno Fernandes (89 caps, 29 goals) operates as the creative fulcrum behind Ronaldo.

Pedro Neto (Chelsea, 25 caps) and Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, 109 caps, 14 goals) are expected to flank Fernandes in an attacking trident that offers pace, creativity and cutting-edge movement in equal measure.

The bench offers further embarrassment of riches, with Rafael Leao (Milan), Joao Felix (Al-Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting CP) and Goncalo Ramos (PSG, 25 caps, 10 goals) all available as impact substitutions if needed.

DR Congo

Desabre is also working with a clean bill of health across his squad, and the 3-5-2 formation that has become his preferred system during qualifying is expected to remain in place for this opening fixture.

Captain Chancel Mbemba (Lille, 109 caps, aged 31) anchors the three-man central defence alongside Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley) and Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), with the experienced Mbemba operating as the organiser and vocal leader of the backline.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United, 12 caps) provides Premier League quality at right wing-back, while Arthur Masuaku (Lens) takes the left, giving Desabre width and defensive security in the wider channels.

The midfield three of Samuel Moutoussamy, Noah Sadiki (Sunderland, aged 21) and Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille, aged 21) blends experience with youthful energy, and Sadiki in particular has been praised for his tireless work rate and explosive ball-carrying ability.

Up front, Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis, 70 caps, 21 goals) and Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United, 38 caps, nine goals) form a strike partnership that combines Bakambu's veteran nous with Wissa's pace and directness on the counter-attack.

Portugal vs DR Congo predicted lineups

Predicted Portugal XI (4-2-3-1): D Costa; J Cancelo, R Dias, G Inacio, N Mendes; Vitinha, J Neves; B Silva, B Fernandes, P Neto; C Ronaldo

Predicted DR Congo XI (3-5-2): L Mpasi; S Kapuadi, C Mbemba, A Tuanzebe; A Wan-Bissaka, N Mukau, S Moutoussamy, N Sadiki, A Masuaku; C Bakambu, Y Wissa

Head-to-head: Portugal vs DR Congo

Wednesday's fixture will be the first-ever senior international meeting between Portugal and DR Congo, meaning there is no head-to-head record to draw upon for this match.

Portugal are regular World Cup participants and enter this competition ranked fifth in the world, with a squad widely considered to be among the strongest three or four at the tournament.

DR Congo's only previous World Cup appearance came in 1974 in West Germany, when they competed as Zaire and exited at the group stage, making Wednesday's fixture their first at the tournament in 52 years.

The absence of any prior meetings means this match will be defined entirely by present-day form, and on that basis, the disparity is stark: Portugal have 15 goals from five matches while DR Congo have managed four, with their victories coming against teams ranked significantly below the world's top 40.

Group K also contains Colombia and Uzbekistan, and how both teams perform on Wednesday could shape the tactical approach each takes in their remaining two fixtures.

Our Portugal vs DR Congo prediction and tips