Portugal’s national football team begins its campaign for the 2026 World Cup on Wednesday, facing the Democratic Republic of Congo in Houston, Texas. This match marks the start of Group K play in the expanded tournament. After weeks of preparation in the United States, including intensive training and adjustments for weather conditions, coach Roberto Martínez’s squad aims to advance to the next stage. Despite being favored, the Portuguese team is focused on maintaining a high level of concentration throughout the competition. The DR Congo is returning to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, formerly competing as Zaire, and seeks an upset victory. Captain Cristiano Ronaldo emphasized the importance of a strong start and maintaining peak performance, potentially becoming the first player to appear in six World Cup finals. This will be the first official senior-level match between Portugal and DR Congo, though Portugal has a history of 25 matches against African national teams.