Portugal vs. DR Congo Prediction, Picks, Lineups for World Cup 2026

Portugal will play their World Cup opening match against DR Congo on Wednesday, June 17, at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX (English) and Telemundo/Peacock (Spanish). This matchup will be played at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.

According to PrizePicks Team Picks, Portugal is a heavy favorite with a 1.25x payout to secure a win.

Ahead of Wednesday’s match, Portugal is the overwhelming favorite in Group K, while DR Congo are widely expected to finish near the bottom of the group. Group K also includes Colombia and Uzbekistan.

Below, we’ll break down our Portugal vs. DR Congo prediction and picks for Wednesday’s World Cup 2026 match, including the spread, total goals, and key player picks for PrizePicks.

Make your Portugal vs. DR Congo prediction and World Cup picks on PrizePicks now!

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Portugal vs. DR Congo World Cup 2026 Prediction, Spread, Over/Under – Wednesday, 6/17/26

How to watch Portugal vs. DR Congo: FOX (English) / Telemundo/Peacock (Spanish)

Kickoff Time: 1:00 p.m. ET

Venue: NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas

Group: Group K

It’s certainly possible that superstar F Cristiano Ronaldo is playing in his final World Cup for Portugal. Manager Roberto Martinez’s side has plenty of talent surrounding Ronaldo, and they’re considered a threat to win the 2026 World Cup.

Not many teams can say they have a better midfield than Portugal, who have MF Bruno Fernandes, MF Vitinha, MF João Neves, and MF Bernardo Silva at their disposal. Portugal won the UEFA National League last year, so they’re hoping to carry over that momentum into the World Cup.

Along with Portugal being the favorite to win Group K with a 1.53x payout, they return the third-lowest payout to win the 2026 World Cup (6.66x), via PrizePicks Team Picks.

While DR Congo is a tough team to break down on defense at times, they’ll be tasked with facing a loaded Portugal squad in just their second World Cup appearance — and first since 1974. 

DR Congo does have Premier League players like F Yoane Wissa, MF Noah Sadiki, and DF Aaron Wan-Bissaka available. However, it remains to be seen if the Leopards have the firepower to compete with the top nations in the tournament.

According to our power rankings, this is one of the most lopsided matchups in the group stage, with Portugal 5th and DR Congo 40th.

Portugal vs. DR Congo: Favorite to Win, Spread, Total Goals – Wednesday, June 17

Portugal enters Wednesday’s game as the favorites, returning a 1.25x payout if they win outright, via PrizePicks Team Picks. Meanwhile, DR Congo will need to remain disciplined on defense to generate chances to score.

Here are the full payouts for the Portugal vs. DR Congo match on PrizePicks.

• Winner Payout: DR Congo – 8.33x | Tie – 5x | Portugal – 1.25x
• Spread: Portugal -1.5 (1.81x Payout) 
• Total Goals: 2.5 (Over – 1.72x)
• Both Teams to Score: Yes 2.27x | No 1.58x

Payouts show potential returns on correct Team Picks predictions. A 2x payout returns $200 on a $100 entry. Lower multipliers reflect outcomes users are picking as more likely. Payouts are live as of writing and subject to change.

Make your Portugal vs. DR Congo prediction on spread or goals on PrizePicks Team Picks — available in 35 states!

Portugal vs. DR Congo Prediction on Total Goals for World Cup 2026 

Here are the key stats and trends for Portugal vs. DR Congo before making your World Cup 2026 predictions on PrizePicks.

• During UEFA World Cup qualifying, Portugal had 3 or more total goals scored in four of their six games.
• Portugal has also had at least 3 total goals scored in each of their last two international friendlies in June.
• Plus, during World Cup qualifying, Portugal tallied the sixth-most goals per match (3.3) and third-most shots on target per match (8.3), per FotMob.
• On the defensive end of the pitch, Portugal wasn’t entirely dominant in qualifying, ranking 18th in goals conceded per match (1.2) and 23rd in clean sheets (2).
• In their 2022 World Cup opener against Costa Rica, Portugal routed them 7-0.
• DR Congo isn’t a team that’ll get much possession, especially with Portugal producing the third-most average possession (71.3%) in qualifying.
• In their most recent friendly against Chile on June 9, the score was 2-1 in favor of Chile.

Lock in your Portugal vs. DR Congo prediction for the 2026 World Cup now!

Portugal vs. DR Congo Lineups for World Cup 2026 – Wednesday, June 17

Here are the projected Portugal vs. DR Congo lineups for Wednesday's World Cup group stage match. Lineups are not official and are based on historical data.

Portugal Lineup vs. DR Congo Today

Projected Formation: 4-3-3

• Goalkeeper: Diogo Costa
• Defense: João Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes
• Midfield: Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Bernardo Silva
• Forwards: Rafael Leão, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro Neto

DR Congo Lineup vs. Portugal Today

Projected Formation: 4-2-3-1

• Goalkeeper: Lionel Mpasi
• Defense: Arthur Masuaku, Axel Tuanzebe, Chancel Mbemba, Aaron Wan-Bissaka
• Midfield: Samuel Moutoussamy, Edo Kayembe, Meschack Elia, Theo Bongonda, Gael Kakuta
• Forwards: Yoane Wissa

Portugal vs. DR Congo Picks, Player Stats for World Cup: 6/17/26

Here are the top Portugal vs. DR Congo player picks to target on Wednesday, June 17. Today’s World Cup 2026 picks are headlined by Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes.

Portugal F Cristiano Ronaldo vs. DR Congo 

Cristiano Ronaldo Projections via PrizePicks: 4.5 Shots, 1.5 Shots on Target (Demon), 1.5 Goal + Assist (Demon)

• Cristiano Ronaldo could be force-fed the ball plenty, and he took 5+ shots in four of his five WC qualifying matches.
• Additionally, Ronaldo posted multiple shots on target in three of his five WC qualifying matches.
• During qualifying, Ronaldo led Portugal in total goals + assists (5) and xG + xA per 90 minutes (1.46).
• At 41 years old, Ronald still handles penalty kicks for Portugal.

Combine Portugal + Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup picks for bigger payouts on PrizePicks.

Portugal MF Bruno Fernandes vs. DR Congo

Bruno Fernandes Projections via PrizePicks: 3 Shots Assisted, 2.5 Shots, 0.5 Assists (Demon)

• Bruno Fernandes is the best playmaker on Portugal’s roster, and he’s coming off an EPL campaign with Man United, where he totaled the second-most goals + assists (30).
• In WC qualifying, Fernandes led Portugal in chances created (21) and xA per 90 (0.49).
• Fernandes attempted 3 or more shots in three of his five WC qualifying matches.
• Besides leading the Premier League in assists (21), Fernandes had the most chances created (136) and second-most xA per 90 (0.36).

Combine Portugal + Bruno Fernandes World Cup picks for bigger payouts on PrizePicks.

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Make Your Portugal vs. DR Congo Prediction on PrizePicks

Portugal would love to send Ronaldo riding into the sunset in what is likely his final World Cup, and starting with a result against DR Congo is expected. Can DR Congo pull off the upset?

Don’t wait until lock. Make your Portugal vs. DR Congo picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right on every World Cup game.

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