Cristiano Ronaldo’s final FIFA World Cup journey gets underway as Portugal open their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign against Congo DR in a fascinating Group K encounter. While Portugal arrive as one of Europe’s strongest teams and the reigning UEFA Nations League champions, the match also carries historic significance for Ronaldo and Congo DR alike.
At 41 years of age, Ronaldo is set to appear in his sixth FIFA World Cup, becoming one of the very few footballers in history to achieve the milestone. The Portuguese captain has already written his name into the record books by becoming the only male footballer to score in five different FIFA World Cup tournaments. A goal against Congo DR would see him become the first player ever to score in six separate World Cups.
The One Trophy Missing From Ronaldo’s Collection
Few players have enjoyed a career as decorated as Cristiano Ronaldo. He has won league titles in England, Spain, and Italy, lifted the UEFA Champions League multiple times, guided Portugal to UEFA Euro 2016 glory, and recently added another UEFA Nations League title to his collection.
Yet one trophy continues to elude him – the FIFA World Cup. Despite scoring eight goals across five World Cup tournaments, Ronaldo is still searching for the one achievement that would complete his legendary career.
Loading ...Congo DR Return After 52 Years
Portugal’s opponents have their own remarkable story.
Congo DR will make only their second FIFA World Cup appearance, returning to football’s biggest stage after a gap of 52 years. Their previous appearance came in 1974 under the name Zaire, making this one of the longest waits between World Cup appearances in tournament history.
The African nation booked their place at FIFA World Cup 2026 through the inter-confederation playoffs and will be eager to create an upset against one of Europe’s football powerhouses.
Match Details
| Match | Portugal vs Congo DR |
|---|---|
| Competition | FIFA World Cup 2026 – Group K |
| Venue | Houston Stadium |
| Date | 17 June |
| Kick-off (IST) | 10:30 PM |
Key Players – Portugal
- Cristiano Ronaldo
- Bruno Fernandes
- Bernardo Silva
- Rafael Leão
- Diogo Costa
Key Players – Congo DR
- Cédric Bakambu
- Yoane Wissa
- Simon Banza
- Chancel Mbemba
- Arthur Masuaku
Watch FIFA World Cup 2026 Live in India
Football fans in India can watch Portugal vs Congo DR live through Zee Network’s dedicated FIFA World Cup coverage. Matches are available on Unite8 Sports channels, while regional coverage is also offered through channels including Zee Keralam. Digital viewers can stream the tournament through ZEE5 in multiple languages including Malayalam, Hindi, English, and Bangla.
