Is Cristiano Ronaldo Starting Today vs. Congo DR? Picks, Stats for the World Cup

Portugal F Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start today vs. Congo DR in Portugal’s World Cup 2026 Group K opener from NRG Stadium in Houston at 1 p.m. ET.

Ronaldo enters his sixth World Cup as Portugal’s captain and striker, projected to score 3 goals in the entire tournament on PrizePicks. But at 41-years-old, Ronaldo's role comes with real questions ahead of his final World Cup.

The superstar scored 5 goals on 31 total shots in Euro Qualifiers, but Ronaldo also missed multiple clear chances on goal in Portugal’s final tune-up vs. Nigeria and was subbed off in the 65th minute.

That’s left more questions than answers around Ronaldo’s minutes and role on a roster stacked with international superstars, which we may star to get answers to in Portugal’s first match of the tournament.

Congo DR has also been hard to break down, allowing 5 total goals across its last 10 matches — albeit vs. lesser competition — before facing Portugal. 

Below, we'll break down the latest on Cristiano Ronaldo starting for Wednesday, how many minutes he could play in the opener, and which Cristiano Ronaldo picks to target on PrizePicks today.

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Is Cristiano Ronaldo Starting Today vs. Congo DR in World Cup 2026?

Ronaldo is expected to start for Portugal vs. Congo DR in Wednesday’s World Cup 2026 opener, though there is not official confirmation as of now.

However, Ronaldo is still the central striker, captain, and primary penalty-box point of attack for Portugal. Portugal’s squad can create through Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, and Joáo Félix, but Ronaldo’s role is simple: stay central, occupy center backs, and turn chances into shows.

Manager Roberto Martinez knows that Ronaldo fares very well in the group stage – all 8 of his World Cup goals have come in the group stage, with zero in six knockout appearances in four tournaments.

Make your Portugal vs. Congo DR predictions for the World Cup on PrizePicks

How Many Minutes Will Ronaldo Play vs. DR Congo?

It looks likely that Portugal manager Roberto Martinez will start Ronaldo in every group-stage match. But his minutes may be the bigger variable.

Portugal has three Group K matches in a short window vs. Congo DR, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. Ronaldo is 41, and Portugal has enough attacking options to adjust if it wants to protect his legs, chase more pressing, or change the tempo late.

That does not guarantee that Ronaldo will always come off early, as he has in the last two tune-ups at the 65th minute and halftime. But his minutes being cut short should be in consideration for PrizePicks picks — a 65-minute role vs. 90 minutes can lead to much different results on accumulation stats like shots, SOT, and fantasy score.

It remains to be seen how long Ronaldo will play vs. DR Congo, and how Martinez plans to manage his minutes in what should be a very winnable group for Portugal.

Cristiano Ronaldo Stat Projections vs. DR Congo Today

Here are the live projections for Cristiano Ronaldo on PrizePicks today, where you can pick More or Less on player stats in the World Cup to win real money — and enter to win a trip for 2 to the WC Final.

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Cristiano Ronaldo Picks to Target vs. Congo DR in World Cup

Even at his age, the shot-volume is still there for Ronaldo — he averaged 5.54 shots per 90 across 30 Saudi league matches this season, and posted 7.44 per 90 in World Cup qualifying. The question isn't whether he shoots. It's minutes and finishing, both of which were issues against Nigeria.

Here are some Cristiano Ronaldo picks to target on PrizePicks Player Picks today.

16.5 Fantasy Points vs. Congo DR

• PrizePicks fantasy scoring grants 10 points for a goal and 5 for assists, 1 for a shot, plus 1 for a shot on target.
• Ronaldo has scored all 8 of his World Cup goals during the group stage.
• The forward has tallied 25 goals in 30 games under Portugal manager Roberto Martinez. 
• During the World Cup qualification run, Ronaldo averaged 7.44 shots per 90 with 2.88 shots on target per 90.
• In recent competitive internationals, Portugal averaged 20.2 shots per match with 68% possession.
• Against Senegal at AFCON, DR Congo faced 11 total shots and conceded 2.01 xG, per fotmob — but still held on for the draw.
• More telling from that match, Senegal got 27 touches in the box and controlled 64% of possession.
• We rank Senegal as the No. 16 team in the World Cup, while Portugal comes in at 5. DR Congo is ranked 40th.
• DR Congo is coming off a 2-1 loss to Chile in their last World Cup tune up and had to go through the intercontinental playoff tournament to earn their spot in the World Cup in a 1-0 win over Jamaica.

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Make Portugal vs. Congo DR Picks on PrizePicks

Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start today vs. Congo DR, marking his sixth-straight World Cup — and likely his last. But the 41-year-old could get subbed out, depending on the score and the strategy for keeping his legs fresh. 

Portugal’s opening World Cup match is hours away, and all signs point to manager Roberto Martinez having few concerns about Ronaldo, despite the qualifying hiccup. 

Don't wait until lock — make your Portugal vs. Congo DR picks on PrizePicks now and earn some cash if you're right.

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