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Portugal and DR Congo will descend on Houston in a World Cup 2026 Group K game between two teams with very different tournament goals. Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. have their eyes on the top prize, while the Leopards will be aiming to score their first-ever World Cup goal.
Date: Wednesday, July 17
Kick-off time: 6:00pm BST / 1:00pm ET / 3:00am AEST (Thur)
FREE Stream: BBC (UK) / SBS (AUS)
TV & Streaming: Fox (US)
Watch from anywhere: Get Norton VPN (60-day money back guarantee)
Roberto Martinez led Belgium to third place in 2018 and the former Everton and Swansea boss is determined to go even further with a Portugal squad that showed its quality with a Nations League final victory over Spain last year.
Portugal will start as overwhelming favourites in this Group K clash, but DR Congo are seeking to build on an impressive qualifying campaign by delivering a sizeable upset.
Portugal sealed their place at the World Cup in style by thumping Armenia 9-1. DR Congo came through three play-off games to reach their first World Cup since 1974, when they compete as Zaire.
Read on as FourFourTwo brings you all the information you need to watch Portugal vs DR Congo in the FIFA World Cup 2026 online, on TV, and from anywhere.
Watch Portugal vs DR Congo for FREE
Portugal vs DR Congo will be free-to-stream across multiple regions, including BBC in the UK, RTÉ Player in Ireland, SBS On Demand in Australia, CazéTV on YouTube in Brazil, NOS in the Netherlands, VRT in Belgium, SRF / RTS / RSI in Switzerland, and TRT in Turkey.
English commentary will be provided on BBC, RTE Player and SBS On Demand.
‼️ Outside one of these countries? Use Norton VPN to unlock your stream from anywhere in the world — more on that below.
Watch Portugal vs DR Congo from anywhere
Away from home this summer and want to watch Portugal vs DR Congo? All you need is a VPN , a handy piece of software that makes your devices appear to be in a different location.
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How to watch Portugal vs DR Congo in the UK
In the UK, you can stream Portugal vs DR Congo on BBC One .
You can stream 54 matches live for free on the BBC, including today's game between Portugal vs DR Congo. A BBC account is required with a UK postcode (SE1 7PB) and a valid TV licence.
How to watch Portugal vs DR Congo in the US
In the US, you can stream Portugal vs DR Congo on Fox.
This channel is accessible via Fox's own streaming platform Fox One or via a cord-cutting platform such as YouTube TV , Hulu+Live TV , Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV .
Fox One is the easiest way to watch the World Cup in the US this summer. The streaming service carries both Fox and FS1 and comes with a 3-day free trial right now. Prices following that come in at $19.99/month.
How to watch Portugal vs DR Congo in Australia
In Australia, you can watch Portugal vs DR Congo on the free SBS On Demand .
It's all very easy for Australian fans with every game of the FIFA World Cup available for free on SBS On Demand. You will need an account and a valid Aussie postcode (e.g. 2026)
Portugal vs DR Congo: World Cup 2026 Preview
While many of the headlines will be around Cristiano Ronaldo appearing at a sixth World Cup, and whether he can fire Portugal to glory, it is the country’s strength in depth that makes them a formidable force.
Martinez has been blessed with a hugely talented squad, many of whom are at the peak of their powers. They are particularly strong in midfield, with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Bernardo Silva all blessed with Einsteinian football IQs that allow them to control games.
They also provide the perfect foil to an ageing CR7 who is afforded the luxury of staying high up the pitch and leave others to do his running for him. It makes for a devastating combination that should prove far too strong for DR Congo, as well as the other sides in Group K, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
Few coaches know African football better than Sebastien Desabre. The 49-year-old has held 11 coaching roles on the continent and has already overachieved simply by guiding DR Congo to the World Cup.
Much of his success with the Leopards has come from making them extremely hard to break down. They kept eight clean sheets in 13 World Cup qualifiers, while relying heavily on the ability of star striker Cedric Bakambu to run in behind.
Having failed to score a goal during their only other appearance at the World Cup, in 1974 when they were known as Zaire, they will be determined to show how much they have improved and will look to defend deep and strike on the counter.
Anything better than a 9-0 defeat by Yugoslavia 52 years ago would be nice...
Portugal vs DR Congo: Team news
Cristiano Ronaldo will appear in his sixth World Cup after being named in the starting line-up, playing ahead of the familiar trio of Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes, Chelsea winger Pedro Neto and former Man City midfielder Bernando Silva.
Portugal XI : Costa, Joao Cancelo, Araujo, Veiga, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Silva, Fernandes, Pedro Neto, Ronaldo
Subs : Jose Sa, Rui Silva, Nelson Semedo, Dias, Dalot, Nunes Matheus Luiz, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Felix, Inacio, Trincao, Leao, Goncalo Guedes, Ruben Neves, Samu, Francisco Conceicao
There are plenty of familiar faces in the DR Congo line-up, including West Ham defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Newcastle forward Yoane Wissa and Burnley's Axel Tuanzebe.
DR Congo XI : M’Pasi-Nzau, Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kapuadi, Masuaku, Moutoussamy, Mukau, Edo Kayembe, Bakambu, Wissa
Subs : Fayulu, Epolo, Batubinsika, Mbuku, Cipenga, Bongonda, Kakuta, Joris Kayembe, Elia, Sadiki, Tshibola, Pickel, Mayele, Banza, Kalulu
Portugal vs DR Congo: Group
FourFourTwo's prediction
Portugal 2-0 DR Congo
FFT predicts Portugal to too much quality and will be able to break down a resolute DR Congo defence.
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