Portugal vs DR Congo Predicted Lineups and Team News

Portugal begin their World Cup campaign against DR Congo at the NRG Stadium in Houston on Wednesday (12pm local, 6pm BST, BBC One).

Which players will the managers pick, though? Let’s investigate with the Portugal vs DR Congo predicted lineups and team news...

Portugal

On paper, Portugal have one of the strongest squads at the tournament this summer. Previously, the nation used to enter major competitions with the ‘dark horses’ tag applied to them. Not anymore.

In North America, Portugal genuinely have a team that could go all the way and win their first-ever World Cup.

The key question for Roberto Martinez is, will Cristiano Ronaldo start every match at the finals?

In Qatar four years ago, the mercurial forward was dropped to the bench for the last-16 tie against Switzerland. The result? An impressive 6-1 victory which saw Goncalo Ramos – Ronaldo’s replacement – score a hat-trick in what was Portugal’s finest display of the tournament.

He came back into the starting XI for the quarter-final defeat to Morocco in what was a disjointed performance by the country.

With a midfield containing Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, among others, plus a robust defence, anything less than the semi-finals will be a major disappointment.

DR Congo

DR Congo return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974 after securing qualification via the inter-confederation playoffs.

Known as Zaire in West Germany 52 years ago, the Africans lost all three group games, conceding 14 goals in the process.

In North America this summer, there is genuine hope that the Leopards can secure a place in the knockout stages, despite being placed in a group containing Portugal, Colombia and Uzbekistan.

With Premier League players such as Yoane Wissa, Noah Sadiki and Aaron Wan-Bissaka among the 26-man squad, the nation could certainly spring a surprise or two along the way.

Remember you can bet on this match and check out all of the live Portugal vs DR Congo Odds over on betfred.com

Portugal vs DR Congo Key Players:

Vitinha (Portugal)

The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder is arguably one of the finest in the world in his position. At PSG, Vitinha dictates the play with his impressive passing ability, and he finished the 2025/26 Champions League season with a stunning 93% pass success rate, along with another winners' medal.

He will operate in midfield alongside Fernandes and Neves in what could be one of the strongest midfields at the tournament.

Throughout the qualifiers, Vitinha recovered 3.7 balls per game and won nearly 60% of his duels for Portugal. Should he carry that sort of form into the World Cup, he will be the fulcrum for Martinez this summer.

Yoane Wissa (DR Congo)

While the Newcastle forward might have endured a difficult season thanks to injury problems, scoring just one Premier League goal, he will be key for DR Congo.

Throughout the qualifiers, he scored three goals and provided three assists, he will be the focal point for the team in North America.

With nine goals in 37 international caps, Wissa has a decent enough strike rate at international level and the forward will be determined to add to that total over the next few days.

For all of our coverage and betting markets for the festival of football this summer, please check out our World Cup Odds over on betfred.com