Portugal vs DR Congo Preview: Messi Hat-Trick Puts Pressure on Ronaldo; Portugal Aim for Opening Win

At 1:00 AM Beijing time on June 18, in the first round 1 of Group K in Group K of the 2026 World Cup hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico, the highly anticipated European powerhouse Portugal will take on African team DR Congo.

Key points for Portugal vs DR Congo are as follows:

First: Team overview! Portugal is ranked 5th in the world, with a total squad value of €1.01 billion and an average age of 27.5 years old. They have 17 players from top five European leagues and are participating in their 9th World Cup. Their best result was third place in 1966, and they also achieved fourth place in 2006 under Figo’s leadership. Portugal is experiencing a golden generation, with star players like Vitinha, João Neves, and Mendes as key players for Champions League winners Paris, along with Premier League best player last season B Fee and former Manchester City captain B Rest. At 41, Ronaldo is the only player to score in five consecutive World Cups and will play in his sixth, marking the final dance of a superstar. DR Congo is ranked 45th in the world, with a total squad value of €144 million squad, average age 28.5 years old. They have 10 players from top European leagues and former Chinese Super League striker Bakambu is their main forward and top scorer, while their most valuable player is Sunderland midfielder Sadiki (€35, million). Their core squad comprises players from top European leagues, making them highly competitive.

Second: Messi's hat-trick adds pressure on Ronaldo; Portugal to secure opening win.! The World Cup is in full swing, starring a day for superstars where both Mbappe and Haaland scored braces, while Messi netted a hat-trick, matching World Cup all-time top scorer Klose (16 goals). Now, the pressure is on Ronaldo, whose recent form has been poor—whether Martinez will start C Ronaldo is the biggest talking point is the selection of Portugal's core lineup. Portugal's squad depth far exceeds Argentina's, making them a top-tier presence. However, the 41-year-old Ronaldo's static style reduces Portugal's mobility and creativity up front. Whether Ronaldo can score under pressure is also makes for an interestingd-in. Portugal will undoubtedly be the attacking side, while DR Congo will likely rely on counter. Given the huge gap in quality, Portugal should have little trouble beating DR Congo, but Ronaldo's required starting role and tactical limitations could hinder Portugal's progress in the tournament.8

In summary, Portugal is favored to beat DR Congo and claim all three points.

The two teams have never faced each other before.

Injury concerns: For Portugal, Rúben Dias; DR Congo (none).

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