Portugal vs DR Congo predictions: Ronaldo and co to start well

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Cristiano Ronaldo is set to feature at a sixth World Cup for Portugal

Portugal get World Cup campaign up and running in Houston
Uzbekistan and Colombia also in Group K
Recommended bet: Portugal to win to nil @ 22/25 with LiveScore Bet

Portugal are among many experts' picks to at least make the semi-finals of the World Cup and Cristiano Ronaldo and co should get off to a comfortable winning start in Group K when they take on DR Congo.

Ronaldo is set for his final World Cup and it would be no surprise if the 41-year-old inspires his nation once again this summer.

DR Congo had to come through the play-off route to qualify, beating Cameroon, Nigeria and then Jamaica.

Follow every World Cup 2026 score with LiveScore including Portugal vs DR Congo.

Team news

Portugal have not had any reported injury concerns in the lead-up to the tournament and Roberto Martinez will field all his big guns for the group opener, including Ronaldo, Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Vitinha.

DR Congo are set to include West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Burnley's Axel Tuanzebe, Lille centre-back Chancel Mbemba and Arthur Masuaku of Lens, while Sunderland's Noah Sadiki, Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa and Real Betis' Cedric Bakambu should all also start.

The stats

Portugal qualified by finishing top of their group, with a record of four wins, one draw and one defeat.

DR Congo finished second behind Senegal in qualifying, before then overcoming Cameroon, Nigeria and Jamaica in the play-off route.

Portugal are ranked fifth in Fifa's world list, DR Congo are down in 45th.

Portugal beat Chile and Nigeria in pre-tournament friendlies.

DR Congo drew with Denmark and lost to Chile in their two warm-up games.

The latest Portugal vs DR Congo odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Prediction

Portugal should get off to the perfect start with victory in Houston, although it will probably not be a runaway success for Martinez's team, with a controlled victory more likely.

Scattered amongst the Portugal squad is plenty of top talent — including Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Neves and Neto.

Those names would scare any nation in the world, let alone a DR Congo outfit who are ranked 45th in Fifa's world rankings, 40 places below Portugal, and are a country preparing for their first World Cup since 1974 when they competed as Zaire and lost all three games without scoring a goal.

DR Congo have caught the eye in more recent Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, notably making the semi-finals in 2015 and 2023, and they do have some talented players, including Mbemba, Sadiki and Wissa.

However, they are unlikely to get anything against Portugal, who can get off to the ideal start with a victory while also keeping a clean sheet.

Score prediction: Portugal 2-0 DR Congo

Back Portugal to win to nil @ 22/25 with LiveScore Bet