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Portugal vs DR Congo Predictions & Betting Tips - Portugal to Make a Winning Start at the 2026 World Cup

matthew-marshall
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Last updated: Sat 13 Jun 2026 14:00
Portugal face DR Congo in their Group L opener for the 2026 World Cup, with high expectations on Cristiano Ronaldo and red-hot Bruno Fernandes. Portugal go into the match as clear favourites, buoyed by strong recent form—winning 15 of their past 20 games and boasting eight clean sheets in their last nine. DR Congo, who qualified through tough African playoffs, are expected to sit deep and defend. Experts tip Portugal to win to nil, with Fernandes likely to be the game changer. Tune in for live streaming and expert betting guides!
Matthew Marshall 1 hour ago
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  • Portugal start the 2026 World Cup with all the focus on Cristiano Ronaldo
  • Bruno Fernandes has scored 4 goals in his previous 5 internationals
  • I am backing the playmaker to fire the Seleção to victory over DR Congo
Bruno Fernandes celebrate portugal
Bruno Fernandes has scored 29 goals for Portugal (Getty)

Portugal are short priced favourites here but DR Congo could prove difficult to break down. Bruno Fernandes is in fantastic form and backed to fire the Seleção to victory in Houston.

HTH - First Clash


This will be the first encounter between Portugal and DR Congo.

Portugal Form - Ronaldo Without a Goal in Three


Portugal thrashed Armenia 9-1 in their final World Cup qualifier to take top spot in Group F, three points ahead of Republic of Ireland. Joao Neves and Bruno Fernandes bagged hat-tricks in Porto, the result never in doubt.

The Seleção met two World Cup co-hosts in March, a 0-0 draw against Mexico at Estadio Azteca followed by a 2-0 victory over the United States in Atlanta.

Roberto Martinez’s side played two friendlies at home before heading to the World Cup. Gonçalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes scored in a 2-1 win against Chile, Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceição on target in a 2-1 victory over Nigeria.

Portugal Team News, Squad & Predicted Line Up


PosPlayerAgeClub
GK Diogo Costa 26 Porto
GK José Sá 33 Wolverhampton
GK Rui Silva 32 Sporting CP
DF Rúben Dias 29 Manchester City
DF João Cancelo 32 Barcelona
DF Nélson Semedo 32 Fenerbahce
DF Nuno Mendes 23 Paris Saint-Germain
DF Diogo Dalot 27 Manchester United
DF Gonçalo Inácio 24 Sporting CP
DF Matheus Nunes 27 Manchester City
DF Renato Veiga 22 Villarreal
DF Tomás Araújo 24 Benfica
MF Bernardo Silva 31 Manchester City
MF Bruno Fernandes 31 Manchester United
MF Rúben Neves 29 Al-Hilal
MF Vitinha 26 Paris Saint-Germain
MF João Neves 21 Paris Saint-Germain
MF Samú Costa 25 Mallorca
FW Cristiano Ronaldo 41 Al-Nassr
FW João Félix 26 Al-Nassr
FW Rafael Leão 27 Milan
FW Gonçalo Guedes 29 Real Sociedad
FW Gonçalo Ramos 24 Paris Saint-Germain
FW Pedro Neto 26 Chelsea
FW Francisco Trincão 26 Sporting CP
FW Francisco Conceição 23 Juventus

Antonio Silva, Mateus Fernandes, Ricardo Horta, Pedro Gonçalves and Paulinho all missed out after featuring in the March friendlies.

Renato Veiga competes with Gonçalo Inácio for a spot in central defence. Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 143 goals in 228 internationals which includes eight goals at the World Cup. 

Portugal (4-2-3-1): Diogo Costa; João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, João Neves; Francisco Conceição, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto; Cristiano Ronaldo

DR Congo Form - Leopards Keeping it Tight


Congo qualified for the World Cup the hard way, getting past two tough opponents in the CAF play-offs. They beat Cameroon 1-0 before a penalty shootout victory over Nigeria.

The Leopards went to the Africa Cup of Nations, easing into the Round of 16 are an unbeaten group stage that featured a 1-1 draw against Senegal. They conceded in the 119th minute against Algeria, going down 1-0 and exiting the tournament.

Sébastien Desabre's side played two friendlies this month, starting with a deserved 0-0 draw against Denmark. Joris Kayembe scored late in a 2-1 defeat to Chile, a game with few chances.

DR Congo Team News, Squad & Predicted Line Up


PosPlayerAgeClub
GKLionel Mpasi31Le Havre
GKTimothy Fayulu26Noah
GKMatthieu Epolo21Standard Liege
DFAaron Wan-Bissaka28West Ham
DFSteve Kapuadi28Widzew Lodz
DFAxel Tuanzebe28Burnley
DFDylan Batubinsika30AEL
DFJoris Kayembe31Genk
DFChancel Mbemba31Lille
DFGedeon Kalulu28Aris Limassol
DFArthur Masuaku32Lens
MFNgal'ayel Mukau21Lille
MFNathanael Mbuku24Montpellier
MFSamuel Moutoussamy29Atromitos
MFBrian Cipenga28Castellon
MFTheo Bongonda30Spartak Moscow
MFGael Kakuta34AEL
MFNoah Sadiki21Sunderland
MFAaron Tshibola31Kilmarnock
MFCharles Pickel29Espanyol
MFEdo Kayembe28Watford
FWMeschak Elia28Alanyaspor
FWCedric Bakambu35Betis
FWFiston Mayele31Pyramids
FWYoane Wissa29Newcastle
FWSimon Banza29Al Jazira

Hibernian defender Rocky Bushiri withdrew from the squad and was replaced by Aaron Tshibola.

Cedric Bakambu leads the way with 21 international goals. He could be in direct competition for a starting spot with Yoane Wissa who has nine goals in 38 appearances.

DR Congo (4-3-3):Lionel Mpasi-Nzau; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Joris Kayembe; Noah Sadiki, Ngal'ayel Mukau, Samuel Moutoussamy; Theo Bongonda, Cedric Bakambu, Nathanael Mbuku

Verdict

DR Congo don’t create many chances and could sit deep here and focus on counter attacking. I am backing Portugal to win to nil in Houston where Bruno Fernandes can find the net.

Best Bet1: Portugal Win To Nil @20/21 at Hollywood bets - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Bruno Fernandes Anytime Goalscorer @9/5 at bet365 - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Bruno Fernandes First Goalscorer @11/2 at Star Sports - 1 Unit
Portugal
Win To Nil
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Bet at bet365
Bruno Fernandes
First Goalscorer
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