World Cup 2026: Congo DR vs Portugal Tips, Prediction & Odds

* Prices from Betway, accurate when this was written.

Portugal begin their World Cup campaign against Congo DR at NRG Stadium in Houston, kicking off at 19:00 CAT on Wednesday, June 17. Roberto Martinez can pick from a deep and gifted Portugal squad, while Sebastien Desabre's Congo DR are back at the World Cup for the first time since 1974 and bring a real attacking threat in Yoane Wissa and Cedric Bakambu. I think Portugal will control this Group K opener, but Congo DR have the pace to cause their opponents problems on the counter. You can find every World Cup betting tips we have in our dedicated section.

Congo DR

Congo DR return to the World Cup after a 52-year absence, and I believe they will be harder to beat than the odds imply. Chancel Mbemba marshals the back line and captains the side with well over a hundred caps, while getting Yoane Wissa back from injury is the biggest lift for their attack. A 21-day quarantine when they arrived upset their build-up and could leave them a bit rusty early on, but they still have lots of attacking weapons, led by Cedric Bakambu, who brings experience and a nose for goal up front. As I see it, they will keep things tight and try to play Wissa in behind each time Portugal push bodies forward.

Expected Lineup: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Masuaku; Sadiki, Moutoussamy; Mbuku, Elia, Wissa; Bakambu.

Portugal

Portugal have a much deeper squad, and in my view they should have the quality to win with room to spare, even though their opponents come into the tournament as an underrated team. Cristiano Ronaldo sat out the March window with a hamstring strain but should start if he is fit, and the players around him, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Bernardo Silva, are excellent. Rafael Leao was sent off for violent conduct in a warm-up win against Chile, but it has been confirmed he can play in the opener. I think Portugal will keep the ball and grind Congo DR down.

Expected Lineup: Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves; Silva, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo.

Portugal are good enough to run this game from kick off, and I think Ronaldo and Fernandes will find gaps against a team playing at a World Cup for the first time in more than fifty years. Congo DR will defend in an organised way, but the difference in attacking quality is too big to overlook. My forecast: Congo DR 0 Portugal 2.

BTTS: No (1.63)

I am going with BTTS: No because I believe Portugal's back line, with Ruben Dias in charge, is good enough to keep Congo DR well away from goal. The debutants will be under pressure for long spells and should seldom carve out clear chances against a side this strong, particularly after their disrupted build-up. At 1.63, a Portugal win to nil is the best value on offer here.