How to watch Portugal vs DR Congo: Free Streams, TV Channels & Kick-Off time for Cristiano Ronaldo's FIFA World Cup 2026 opener, team news

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal during the International Friendly match between Portugal and Nigeria at Estadio Dr Magalhaes Pessoa on June 10, 2026 in Leiria, Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo will play at his sixth FIFA World Cup (Image credit: Getty Images)

Watch Portugal vs DR Congo as Cristiano Ronaldo's latest quest for global glory begins at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and you can live stream the game, from Houston, around the world for free.

This is surely the five-time Ballon d'Or winner's last chance to win football's biggest prize, given he will be 45 when the next tournament kicks off in 2030. Portugal might just be in the best shape they've been across all of Ronaldo's six World Cups, boasting arguably Joao Neves, Vitinha and Bruno Fernandes in arguably the tournament's strongest midfield, plus several other stars including Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Pedro Neto. Roberto Martinez's side will expect to take control of an inviting Group K against DR Congo as they begin their pursuit of a maiden world crown.

DR Congo's expectations are a little more modest as they appear at the tournament for only the second time, and the first since 1974. Back then, they were called Zaire, lost 9-0 to Yugoslavia and failed to score a single goal, so simply finding the net in North America would represent progress. Their squad includes several familiar faces such as West Ham United right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa, while Real Betis striker Cedric Bakambu leads the line. Though underdogs, the Leopards knocked out Cameroon and Nigeria in the CAF play-offs and are no mugs.

So, read on as we show you exactly how to watch Portugal vs DR Congo for free from anywhere in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Portugal vs DR Congo: Team News

Portugal XI: D Costa; Cancelo, Araujo, Veiga, Mendes; J Neves, Vitinha; B Silva, Fernandes, Neto; Ronaldo.

DR Congo XI: Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Mbemba, Tuanzebe, Kapuadi, Masuaku; Moutoussamy, Mukau, Kayembe; Bakambu, Wissa.

How to watch Portugal vs DR Congo for free

Portugal vs DR Congo is available to watch for free in multiple countries, including the UK, Australia, Brazil, Belgium, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and Turkey.

Abroad? Can't access your free stream? Unblock your free World Cup stream with Norton VPN — more on that below.

Use a VPN to watch Portugal vs DR Congo live streams

It’s the World Cup, and if you’re traveling, you might discover your usual Portugal vs DR Congo stream is suddenly unavailable due to geo-restrictions.

Don’t worry, that’s exactly where a VPN can help. A virtual private network lets you connect to servers around the world so you can securely access your usual World Cup coverage as if you were back home.

We recommend Norton VPN. Here's why:

Norton VPN MEGA Deal — 60-day money back guarantee
Norton VPN MEGA Deal

▶︎ Norton VPN MEGA Deal — 60-day money back guarantee

Watch your free World Cup stream without limits. Norton VPN delivers fast, secure connections with global servers, so you can stream from anywhere with ease.

💰 60-day money-back guarantee
🔓 Unlocks World Cup streams

Don’t miss a second. Stream the World Cup from anywhere with total confidence.

How to watch Portugal vs DR Congo in the US

US flag banner

US viewers can watch Portugal vs DR Congo on Fox and Telemundo (Spanish comms).

You can watch every World Cup game on Fox, FS1 and Telemundo which are available on cord-cutters like YouTube TV (free trial), Hulu+Live TV, Sling (select markets), Fubo or DirecTV.

Those looking for a streaming service instead can watch Portugal vs DR Congo on Fox One (3-day free trial). Telemundo is available via Peacock as well.

Visiting the US from the UK? You can still watch your World Cup stream for free thanks to Norton VPN (try for 60 days).

How to watch Portugal vs DR Congo in the UK

UK flag

UK customers are in luck as they can stream Portugal vs DR Congo for free on BBC. Live coverage is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

You require a TV license and a valid UK postcode for an account (e.g. SE1 7PB).

Norton VPN can unlock your stream if you're abroad today.

How to watch Portugal vs DR Congo in Australia

Australian flag

(Image credit: free)

Portugal vs DR Congo will be shown for free in Australia on SBS On Demand.

The streaming platform has every game of the tournament for free, making it the perfect place for your World Cup viewing.

Traveling for work or on holiday? A VPN like Norton VPN can help unlock your free stream.

How to watch Portugal vs DR Congo in Canada

Canada

(Image credit: Other)

In Canada TSN will be broadcasting Portugal vs DR Congo.

You can live stream via the TSN+ streaming platform, which costs CA$8 per month or CA$80 per year.

CTV will require your TV provider login details, but is also available via pay-TV streaming platform Crave if you want an alternative.

Outside of Canada? Use Norton VPN whilst you're traveling away from home to unlock your stream.

Portugal vs DR Congo: Match Information

What time does Portugal vs DR Congo start?

Portugal vs DR Congo kicks-off at 6pm BST / 1pm ET on Wednesday, June 17. That's 3am AEST on Thursday, June 18 in Australia.

What are the squads for Portugal vs DR Congo?

Portugal

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Silva (Sporting), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi).

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (Paris St-Germain), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomas Araujo (Benfica).

Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (Paris St-Germain), Vitinha (Paris St-Germain), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City).

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Joao Felix (Al-Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (Paris St-Germain).

DR Congo

Goalkeepers: Matthieu Epolo (Standard Liege), Timothy Fayulu (Noah), Lionel Mpasi (Le Havre).

Defenders: Dylan Batubinsika (Larisa), Gedoon Kalulu (Aris Limassol), Steve Kapuadi (Widzew Lodz), Joris Kayembe (Racing Genk), Arthur Masuaku (Racing Lens), Chancel Mbemba (Lille), Axel Tuanzebe (Burnley), Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham United).

Midfielders: Theo Bongonda (Spartak Moscow), Brian Cipenga (Castellon), Meshack Elia (Alanyaspor), Gael Kakuta (Larisa), Edo Kayembe (Watford), Nathanael Mbuku (Montpellier), Samuel Moutoussamy (Atromitos), Ngal'ayel Mukau (Lille), Charles Pickel (Espanyol), Noah Sadiki (Sunderland), Aaron Tshibola (Kilmarnock).

Forwards: Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), Simon Banza (Al Jazira), Fiston Mayele (Pyramids), Yoane Wissa (Newcastle United).

Swipe to scroll horizontally
Group K Table

Position

Team

GD

Points

1

Portugal

0

0

2

DR Congo

0

0

3

Uzbekistan

0

0

4

Colombia

0

0

Can I watch Portugal vs DR Congo on my mobile?

Of course, most broadcasters have streaming services that you can access through mobile apps or via your phone's browser.

You can also stay up-to-date with all of the key World Cup moments on the official social media channels on X/Twitter (@FIFAWorldCup), Instagram (@FIFAWorldCup), TikTok (@FIFAWorldCup) and YouTube (@FIFA).

Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Freelance writer

James Roberts is a freelance sports journalist working across several of Future’s brands, most notably FourFourTwo. He started his career at the Oxford Mail, where he covered Oxford United home and away, before becoming a sports sub-editor for various national newspapers.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.