Portugal vs DR Congo: prediction & betting odds 17 June 2026

Form and Line-up Portugal

Portugal confidently won qualifying Group F, taking 13 points from a possible 18. Despite an away setback against Ireland (0:2), in the final round Roberto Martinez's team delivered a full-scale demolition of Armenia, winning 9:1. In addition, in 2025 the squad added the UEFA Nations League title to its record, beating Spain on penalties in the final. For Martinez himself, who previously worked with Swansea City, Wigan Athletic, Everton and Belgium, this will already be the third World Cup of his career.

The Portuguese played their friendlies in fairly pragmatic fashion: first they drew with Mexico (0:0), then produced three straight wins, and against fairly strong opponents too: the United States (2:0), Chile (2:1) and Nigeria (2:1).

The Europeans' squad is overloaded with stars at the peak of their form. A powerful midfield core is formed by Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United, who set a Premier League record for assists (21 in a season), as well as the expensive Vitinha and Joao Neves of Paris Saint-Germain. The main figure, however, remains 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who, along with Lionel Messi and Guillermo Ochoa, has arrived at a historic sixth World Cup. However, winger Rafael Leao's involvement in the opening matches is in doubt because of a possible FIFA ban for a fight in the friendly against Chile (2:1).

Key numbers for Portugal:

• Rated by bookmakers as the fifth favourite for the entire tournament, with odds of 9.00 to win it (the same as Brazil).

• The odds on qualifying from the group are a modest 1.02, while first place in Group K is priced at 1.55.

• Attacking leader Cristiano Ronaldo has scored eight goals at previous World Cups, but none of them came in knockout matches.

• Just one defeat in the previous 13 matches.

Probable line-up (4-3-3): Diogo Costa - Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes - Bruno Fernandes, Joao Neves, Vitinha - Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Goncalo Ramos

Absentees: Rafael Leao (doubtful because of suspension)

Form and Line-up DR Congo

DR Congo came through an extremely difficult route to the tournament. After missing out on a direct ticket because of defeat to Senegal, the Leopards passed through two stages of the African playoffs (beating Cameroon and Nigeria), then edged out Jamaica (1:0) in the intercontinental round thanks to a goal from Axel Tuanzebe. French coach Sebastien Desabre, who took charge of the team in 2022 and led it to fourth place at the Africa Cup of Nations, has instilled strict tactical discipline and defensive reliability in the Congolese side.

In friendlies, the Congolese looked weak, especially in attack: in the June matches, they played out a goalless draw with Denmark and lost to Chile (1:2), scoring only in the 88th minute.

The main driving force in midfield has become 21-year-old Noah Sadiki of Sunderland, valued at EUR35 million, as well as Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United. The defence is anchored by experienced captain Chancel Mbemba of Lille and Aaron Wan-Bissaka of West Ham United. Up front, 35-year-old Cedric Bakambu (Real Betis), who became the team's top scorer in qualifying, remains dangerous. Notably, at the players' request, the colourful fan Michel Nkuka Mboladinga, who imitates a statue of Patrice Lumumba in the stands, was included in the official delegation.

Key numbers for DR Congo:

• They will play at the World Cup for only the second time in history (in 1974, under the name Zaire, the team lost three matches by an aggregate score of 0:14).

• Opta experts rate the Congolese team's chances of reaching the playoffs at 42.57%, while bookmakers offer odds of 1.65 on that outcome.

• In qualifying, the Leopards kept a clean sheet in eight of 13 matches.

• According to bookmakers, only Cape Verde among the African teams will perform worse than DR Congo (odds of 20.00).

Probable line-up (4-2-3-1): Lionel Mpasi - Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Chancel Mbemba, Rocky Bushiri, Arthur Masuaku - Noah Sadiki, Samuel Moutoussamy - Meschack Elia, Yoane Wissa, Nathanael Mbuku - Cedric Bakambu

Absentees: Axel Tuanzebe (doubtful)

Who will referee the match 

Abdulrahman Al-Jassim (Qatar) 

Matches – 12 (International matches, 2025 - 2026);

Average fouls per match – 32;

Average yellow/red cards per match (including second yellows) – 5,1;

Matches with a straight red card – 4 out of 12;

Matches with a penalty – 5 out of 12.