Portugal open their 2026 World Cup campaign Wednesday against DR Congo in a Group K matchup that figures to be among the most lopsided of the opening round. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET at Houston Stadium.
According to CBS Sports, FanDuel Sportsbook lists Portugal as -360 favorites on the 90-minute money line. DR Congo are at +1000 and a draw is listed at +450. The over/under for total goals is set at 2.5, with the Over favored at -128.
Portugal are ranked fifth in the FIFA standings and are seeking their first World Cup championship. DR Congo are ranked 46th and have not appeared in a World Cup since 1974. The gap in experience and ranking makes Portugal one of the heavier favorites of the tournament's opening days.
Portugal's recent form points toward a high-scoring match. Their last competitive game saw them score nine goals. Two friendlies played this month both went over 2.5 total goals. DR Congo's recent results also featured scoring on both sides. Their last four World Cup qualifying matches averaged three total goals per game.
CBS Sports analyst Martin Green examined the matchup and identified Portugal's midfield control as a key factor. "The Portuguese team should dominate possession in this game," Green told SportsLine. "Vitinha and Neves are both very comfortable on the ball, and they will dictate the pace of the game. Fernandes will be full of confidence after breaking the Premier League assist record last season, and he has the quality to unlock this Congo DR defense."
DR Congo have individual players capable of contributing offensively. Cédric Bakambu plays in La Liga and is one goal away from tying the all-time scoring record for the national team. Fiston Mayele was the top scorer in the CAF Champions League during the 2024-25 season.
The match is part of a full slate of Matchday 1 action completing Wednesday across the 48-team field. The tournament uses 12 groups of four, with eight of the 12 groups sending their third-place finisher into the knockout rounds. Third-place teams will be ranked by points, goal difference, goals scored, team conduct score, and FIFA ranking. The United States opened Group D on June 12 with a 4-1 win over Paraguay. Group D also features Australia, who beat Turkiye 2-0 in their opener. The USMNT face Australia on Friday at 3 p.m. ET.
