Find out where to watch, team news, ticket and stadium information and much more on the opening match of Group K at Houston Stadium.
Group K
Thursday, 18 June | Houston Stadium
Kick-off time
01:00 (GMT+8)
The match
European heavyweights Portugal open up their FIFA World Cup 2026™ campaign with a Texas tussle against DR Congo in what should be a thrilling contest. Portugal roared to qualification, leaving no doubt as they amassed 20 goals in just six matches to punch their ticket in hopes of a first ever global finals crown. DR Congo are back in the World Cup for the first time since 1974 and after emerging triumphant through the World Cup Play-off Tournament in Mexico, where they defeated Jamaica 1-0 in Guadalajara to seal their spot. It will be the first World Cup meeting between the two nations.
Possible Portugal starting XI
Costa; Dalot, Dias, Veiga, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves, Fernandes; Conceicao, Ronaldo, Leao
Possible DR Congo starting XI
Mpasi-Nzau; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Masuaku; Sadiki, Moutoussamy; Mbuku, Wissa, Elia; Bakambu
Houston Stadium
A host of the MLS All-Star game, national team fixtures of both USA and Mexico, as well as three games at the Copa America Centenario in 2016, Houston Stadium has plenty of football pedigree and will surely gather more ahead of 2026. Opened in 2002, the ground, which is also home to the famous Houston Rodeo, has a retractable roof and is famed for its ‘Bull Pen’ section, which houses the loudest section of NFL side Houston Texans’ home support. Houston Stadium will host seven matches at the FIFA World Cup 2026™, including two games in the knockout phase.