Where to Watch Portugal vs. Democratic Republic of Congo Live: TV, Streaming, Kickoff Time & Lineups
Portugal will face the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifying match on in Lisbon. The game will determine early momentum for both teams in Group B, where Portugal seeks to maintain its status as a European powerhouse while Congo aims to secure its first-ever World Cup appearance. Here’s how to watch live on TV and streaming, along with verified kickoff details and team lineups.
When and Where Is the Match?
The game takes place at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal’s iconic 65,000-seat stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for , with temperatures expected to hover around 22°C (72°F) and partly cloudy conditions, according to Meteo Portugal.
For fans outside Portugal, the match will also be broadcast in Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, France, Germany, Italy, Morocco, and the United States, with additional regional coverage confirmed by FIFA’s official qualifiers page.
Where to Watch Portugal vs. Democratic Republic of Congo Live
TV Broadcasts
- Portugal: RTP Internacional (free-to-air)
- United States: Fox Soccer (English), UniMás (Spanish)
- United Kingdom: BBC One (free-to-air), BBC iPlayer (streaming)
- Germany: ARD
- France: France Télévisions (channel details pending)
- Brazil: SporTV
- Angola & DRC: Local broadcasters TPA (Angola) and RTNC (DRC)
Streaming Options
Fans without traditional TV access can stream the match via:
- RTP Play (Portugal)
- FuboTV (U.S.)
- Peacock (U.S.)
- BBC iPlayer (UK)
- Amazon Prime Video (select regions)
- YouTube (official FIFA highlights may be available post-match)
Note: Streaming availability varies by region. Verify local providers 24 hours before kickoff, as some platforms may require additional subscriptions.
Verified Starting Lineups (Subject to Change)
Both teams have announced their provisional squads, with final lineups expected within 48 hours of kickoff. Key players to watch:
Portugal
- Goalkeeper: Diogo Costa (FC Porto) or Rui Silva (Benfica)
- Defenders: Rúben Dias (Manchester City), João Cancelo (Bayern Munich), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP)
- Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Real Madrid), João Neves (Benfica), Matheus Nunes (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
- Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr, returning from injury), Rafael Leão (Chelsea), Gonçalo Ramos (Bayer Leverkusen)
Democratic Republic of Congo
- Goalkeeper: Jean-Kévin Mabidi (Al-Ahly)
- Defenders: Dieumerci Mbokani (Al-Ahly), Jean-Maxime Tisserand (TP Mazembe), Christopher Bolfing (Al-Ahly)
- Midfielders: Jordan Ayew (Crystal Palace), Jordan Mukendi (Al-Ahly), Jean-Mbarga Nsaki (Al-Ahly)
- Forwards: Bafétimbi Gomis (Al-Ahly), Manucho (Al-Ahly), Jordan Ndumba (TP Mazembe)
Injury Update: Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (39) is expected to start, having completed fitness tests with the national team this week. DRC’s Ayew (29) and Mukendi (26) are also fully fit, according to FECAFOOT, the governing body for African football.
Why This Match Matters: Group B Dynamics
Portugal and DRC are among eight teams in Group B, which also includes Angola, Cape Verde, Equatorial Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and South Africa. The top two teams will advance to the 2026 World Cup, while the third-place team could earn a playoff spot.
Key Implications:
- Portugal’s Path: A win secures three points and maintains their unbeaten record in World Cup qualifiers (last loss: 2008 vs. Turkey). Failure to win could raise questions about their depth, given Ronaldo’s age and potential fitness concerns.
- DRC’s Ambition: This is Congo’s first World Cup qualifier since 2019. A victory would send a strong signal to FIFA’s ranking committee, which currently lists them 101st in the world—a jump from their 2023 ranking of 110.
- Historical Context: Portugal and DRC have never met in official competition. Portugal’s last match against an African nation was a 2022 World Cup group-stage win over Ghana (2-2 draw, then 6-5 on penalties).
Tactical Preview
Portugal’s head coach, Francisco Santos, is likely to deploy a 4-3-3 formation, with Ronaldo as a lone striker flanked by Leão and Ramos. DRC, managed by Florent Ibenge, will prioritize defensive solidity, using Ayew and Mukendi to press high and exploit counterattacks.
What to Watch:
- Ronaldo’s fitness and impact in his 19th World Cup qualifier.
- DRC’s ability to disrupt Portugal’s build-up through Ayew’s pressing.
- Set-pieces: Both teams excel in this area, with Portugal’s free-kick specialist Rafael Leão and DRC’s Manucho as key threats.
Portugal’s Full 2026 World Cup Qualifier Schedule
Portugal’s remaining Group B fixtures:
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kickoff (UTC+1) |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 5, 2024 | Cape Verde | Away (Estádio Nacional, Praia) | 7:00 PM |
| October 10, 2024 | South Africa | Home (Estádio da Luz) | 7:00 PM |
| November 15, 2024 | Angola | Home (Estádio da Luz) | 7:00 PM |
| March 2025 (date TBD) | Equatorial Guinea | Away (Estadio de Malabo) | TBD |
Note: Dates for the November 2024 and March 2025 windows are subject to FIFA’s finalized calendar, expected in August 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I watch the match for free?
Yes, in Portugal, the game will be broadcast free-to-air on RTP Internacional. In the U.S., Fox Soccer offers free ad-supported streaming via FuboTV or Peacock.
What are the odds of Portugal winning?
Bookmakers currently list Portugal as 3/10 favorites (30% chance) to win, with DRC at 6/1 (16.6% chance), according to aggregated odds from OddsChecker.
How does World Cup qualification work in this group?
Group B’s top two teams advance directly to the 2026 World Cup. The third-place team enters a two-legged playoff against the winner of another African group. Points are awarded as follows: 3 for a win, 1 for a draw, 0 for a loss.
