Portugal vs D.R. Congo kicks off the FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign for both nations on June 17 in Houston, Texas. Portugal arrive as one of the tournament favourites, while the Democratic Republic of Congo make a historic return to the World Cup stage after a 52-year absence. This Group stage showdown promises fireworks from the first whistle.
100% 1st Deposit Bonus up to €750 + 100 FS — World Championship 2026 on TipsGG × Casino Prestige
Follow every match of the World Championship 2026, analyze live, and place bets on the best terms. Get a 100% bonus up to €750 + 100 FS on Casino Prestige and don’t miss the chance to boost your bankroll for the biggest tournament of the year.
Match Preview
Portugal enter the 2026 World Cup in blistering form — 10 wins, 2 draws, and just 1 loss from their last 13 matches, including a stunning 9-1 demolition of Armenia in qualifying. Their attack is loaded with talent, headlined by Cristiano Ronaldo, the only player ever to score in five different World Cups. Three of his last four World Cup scoring appearances came against African sides.
Portugal’s World Cup record does carry a caveat: they’ve won just one of their last four tournament openers, and their 2022 campaign ended in a quarter-final defeat to Morocco. Semi-final appearances since 1966 remain limited to just one — translating domestic dominance onto the global stage is the one box still unchecked.
D.R. Congo return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, when they competed as Zaire and lost all three group games, conceding 14 goals. Their qualification was sealed via a 1-0 play-off win over Jamaica. Coach Sébastien Desabre faces a tough task — his side won neither warm-up friendly, and travel restrictions caused by an Ebola outbreak back home have limited fan support. Cédric Bakambu, who scored four times in qualifying, is the dangerman to watch. This will be the first-ever meeting between these two nations.
Kickoff Time
The match kicks off at 19:00 CET on June 17, 2026. Local time in Houston, Texas (CT) is 12:00 PM CT.
- 🇺🇸 United States (ET): 1:00 PM ET
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: 6:00 PM BST
- 🇧🇷 Brazil: 2:00 PM BRT
- 🇩🇪 Germany / 🇫🇷 France / 🇵🇹 Portugal: 7:00 PM CET
- 🇦🇪 UAE / 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia: 10:00 PM GST/AST
- 🇮🇳 India: 11:30 PM IST
- 🇦🇺 Australia (AEST): June 18, 3:00 AM AEST
How to Watch Online & on TV
Portugal vs D.R. Congo is broadcast across free-to-air and subscription platforms worldwide. In the UK, BBC One covers the match for free. US viewers can tune in on Fox Network or Peacock (subscription required), with Spanish-language coverage on Telemundo. In Portugal, Sport TV1/2/5 and SIC carry the fixture — Sport TV requires a subscription. Brazilian fans can watch on Prime Video (subscription) or the free CazéTV stream. In Germany, ZDF offers free-to-air coverage, while Magenta TV is a paid option. Check local listings to confirm the exact channel for your region.
| Country | Official Broadcaster/Stream |
| 🇬🇧 England | BBC, BBC One, RTE, RTE 2 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | DAZN |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Prime Video, ZDF, DAZN, DAZN Mundial |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Magenta TV, ZDF Livestream, ZDF |
| 🇫🇷 France | SuperSport Football Plus, SS Maximo, GOtv Football, SS LaLiga, GOtv LaLiga, 6play, beIN 1, M6 |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Sport TV2, LiveMode, SIC, Sport TV1, Sport TV5 |
| 🏴 Scotland | BBC, BBC One, RTE, RTE 2 |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | ZDF, NPO 1, BBC One, VRT Canvas |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | Prime Video, VRT MAX, Sporza, VRT Canvas, Tipik |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | NRK 1, TV4 |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | MTV3 |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | NRK TV, NRK 1 |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | TV2 X, TV2 Den, NRK 1 |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | Prime Video, ZDF |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | ZDF, BBC One |
| 🇮🇪 Ireland | BBC, RTE 2, BBC One, RTE |
| 🏴 Northern Ireland | BBC, BBC One, RTE, RTE 2 |
| 🇷🇺 Russia | Match! |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | TVP, TVP 2 HD, TVP Sport, sport.tvp.pl |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | SLO2 |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | EPT2 |
| 🇷🇴 Romania | Antena 1, Antena Play |
| 🇧🇾 Belarus | Sport TV Belarus |
| 🏴 Wales | BBC, BBC One, RTE, RTE 2 |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | M4 Sport |
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | TRT 1 |
| 🇭🇷 Croatia | HRT 2, HRTi |
| 🇧🇬 Bulgaria | BNT 3, BNT 1, bnt.bg |
| 🇸🇮 Slovenia | HRT 2, Arena Slo 1, SLO2 |
| 🇨🇾 Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| 🇷🇸 Serbia | Arena Cloud, Arena 1, RTS 2, RTS 1 |
| 🇮🇱 Israel | KAN 11, Sport 1 |
| 🇦🇱 Albania | SS 2 Alb, TV Klan |
| 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan | Qazsport |
| 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena 1, Arena Cloud, HRT 2 |
| 🇲🇪 Montenegro | SLO2, Arena Cloud, HRT 2 |
| 🇱🇺 Luxembourg | VRT Canvas |
| 🇫🇴 Faroe Islands | TV2 Den, TV2 X, NRK 1 |
| 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan | Ictimai TV, TV NET |
| 🇲🇰 North Macedonia | Arena Cloud, Arena 1, SLO2 |
| 🇦🇩 Andorra | DAZN Mundial, beIN 1, M6 |
| 🇦🇷 Argentina | DIRECTV, DGO |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | Prime Video, CazéTV |
| 🇺🇸 United States | Prime Video, Peacock, Telemundo, Fox Network, FOX One |
| 🇨🇱 Chile | DIRECTV, DGO |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | Canal 5 Televisa, Azteca 7, Azteca |
| 🇵🇾 Paraguay | GEN, Trece |
| 🇵🇪 Peru | DGO, DIRECTV |
| 🇺🇾 Uruguay | DGO, DIRECTV |
| 🇨🇴 Colombia | DIRECTV, DGO |
| 🇪🇨 Ecuador | DGO |
| 🇻🇪 Venezuela | DGO |
| 🇧🇴 Bolivia | Tigo 1 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | TSN3, TSN5, TSN1, CTV, RDS, TSN4 |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇮🇷 Iran | beIN SPORTS MAX 1, IRIB TV3 |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | MyGOV App, RTM klik, Sukan+ |
| 🇧🇭 Bahrain | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇶🇦 Qatar | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇾🇪 Yemen | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇯🇴 Jordan | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇰🇼 Kuwait | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇴🇲 Oman | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇱🇧 Lebanon | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇮🇶 Iraq | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇮🇳 India | Unite8 Sports 1 HD, ZEE5, Unite8 Sports 1 |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | Vidio, TVRI, Fola Play |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | Sporty TV App, GOtv LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv Football, SS LaLiga, StarTimes App, SS Maximo, Sporty TV |
| 🇳🇬 Nigeria | DStv Now, Sporty TV App, StarTimes App, GOtv Football, SS Maximo, SS LaLiga, GOtv LaLiga, Sporty TV, Canal+ |
| 🇲🇦 Morocco | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇹🇳 Tunisia | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇩🇿 Algeria | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇱🇾 Libya | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇦🇴 Angola | DStv Now, SS LaLiga, SS Maximo, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv Football, GOtv LaLiga |
| 🇬🇭 Ghana | DStv Now, Sporty TV App, SS LaLiga, GOtv LaLiga, StarTimes App, SS Maximo, GOtv Football, SuperSport Football Plus, Canal+, Sporty TV |
| 🇸🇲 San Marino | DAZN |
| 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan | Zoʻr TV |
| 🇸🇩 Sudan | DStv Now, GOtv LaLiga, SS Maximo, GOtv Football, SuperSport Football Plus, SS LaLiga, beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇽🇰 Kosovo | TRT 1, SS 2 Alb, TV Klan |
| 🇸🇾 Syria | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇵🇸 Palestine | beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇸🇳 Senegal | DStv Now, GOtv LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv Football, SS LaLiga, SS Maximo, RTS 1, RTS 2, New World App, Canal+ |
| 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | DStv Now, GOtv Football, SS LaLiga, SS Maximo, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv LaLiga, New World App |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya | DStv Now, Sporty TV App, GOtv LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, SS LaLiga, StarTimes App, SS Maximo, GOtv Football, Sporty TV |
| 🇨🇲 Cameroon | DStv Now, StarTimes App, SS Maximo, GOtv LaLiga, SS LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv Football, Canal+, New World App |
| 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | DStv Now, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv Football, SS LaLiga, GOtv LaLiga, SS Maximo |
| 🇷🇼 Rwanda | Sporty TV App, StarTimes App, GOtv LaLiga, GOtv Football, SuperSport Football Plus, SS Maximo, SS LaLiga, Sporty TV, Canal+, New World App |
| 🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire | DStv Now, SS LaLiga, GOtv LaLiga, GOtv Football, SS Maximo, SuperSport Football Plus, New World App, Canal+ |
| 🇲🇱 Mali | DStv Now, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv Football, SS Maximo, SS LaLiga, GOtv LaLiga, Canal+, New World App |
| 🇿🇲 Zambia | SS Maximo, StarTimes App, GOtv LaLiga, SS LaLiga, GOtv Football, SuperSport Football Plus, New World App |
| 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka | PEOTV |
| 🇫🇯 Fiji | FBC Sports |
| 🇲🇷 Mauritania | DStv Now, GOtv Football, SuperSport Football Plus, SS Maximo, SS LaLiga, GOtv LaLiga, beIN SPORTS MAX 1, New World App, Canal+ |
| 🇳🇦 Namibia | DStv Now, SS Maximo, SS LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv Football, GOtv LaLiga |
| 🇧🇼 Botswana | DStv Now, SS LaLiga, GOtv LaLiga, SS Maximo, GOtv Football, SuperSport Football Plus |
| 🇹🇬 Togo | DStv Now, GOtv LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, SS LaLiga, SS Maximo, GOtv Football, TVT, New World App, Canal+ |
| 🇲🇼 Malawi | DStv Now, SuperSport Football Plus, SS Maximo, StarTimes App, GOtv LaLiga, SS LaLiga, GOtv Football |
| 🇧🇯 Benin | GOtv Football, SS Maximo, SS LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv LaLiga, Canal+, Benin TV, New World App |
| 🇬🇲 Gambia | DStv Now, GOtv LaLiga, GOtv Football, SS LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, SS Maximo, Canal+ |
| 🇱🇸 Lesotho | DStv Now, SS LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv LaLiga, GOtv Football, StarTimes App, SS Maximo |
| 🇺🇬 Uganda | DStv Now, Sporty TV App, GOtv LaLiga, GOtv Football, StarTimes App, SS LaLiga, SS Maximo, SuperSport Football Plus, Sporty TV, New World App |
| 🇬🇦 Gabon | DStv Now, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv LaLiga, SS Maximo, GOtv Football, SS LaLiga, Canal+, New World App |
| 🇧🇮 Burundi | Sporty TV App, DStv Now, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv Football, SS LaLiga, GOtv LaLiga, SS Maximo, Canal+, Sporty TV, New World App |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | Bioscope+, Somoy TV, Bangladesh TV, T Sports |
| 🇨🇩 D.R. Congo | DStv Now, StarTimes App, SS LaLiga, GOtv Football, SS Maximo, GOtv LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, RTNC, New World App |
| 🇧🇫 Burkina Faso | DStv Now, GOtv Football, SuperSport Football Plus, SS Maximo, GOtv LaLiga, SS LaLiga, New World App, Canal+ |
| 🇬🇳 Guinea | Sporty TV App, DStv Now, SS LaLiga, SS Maximo, StarTimes App, GOtv LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv Football, New World App, Sporty TV, Canal+ |
| 🇨🇻 Cape Verde | DStv Now, SS LaLiga, GOtv Football, GOtv LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, SS Maximo, Canal+ |
| 🇨🇬 Republic of the Congo | Sporty TV App, DStv Now, GOtv Football, GOtv LaLiga, SS LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, SS Maximo, StarTimes App, New World App, Sporty TV, Canal+ |
| 🇳🇪 Niger | DStv Now, GOtv Football, GOtv LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, SS Maximo, SS LaLiga, Canal+, New World App |
| 🇲🇬 Madagascar | DStv Now, SS LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv LaLiga, SS Maximo, GOtv Football, StarTimes App, New World App |
| 🇨🇫 Central African Republic | SS LaLiga, GOtv LaLiga, GOtv Football, SuperSport Football Plus, SS Maximo, Canal+, New World App |
| 🇸🇱 Sierra Leone | Sporty TV App, DStv Now, GOtv Football, SS Maximo, SS LaLiga, GOtv LaLiga, StarTimes App, SuperSport Football Plus, Canal+, Sporty TV |
| 🇲🇿 Mozambique | DStv Now, Sporty TV App, GOtv LaLiga, SS Maximo, GOtv Football, SuperSport Football Plus, StarTimes App, SS LaLiga, Sporty TV |
| 🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau | DStv Now, GOtv LaLiga, GOtv Football, SS LaLiga, SS Maximo, SuperSport Football Plus, Canal+, New World App |
| 🇹🇼 Taiwan | ELTA 1 |
| 🇹🇿 Tanzania | DStv Now, Sporty TV App, GOtv Football, GOtv LaLiga, SS Maximo, StarTimes App, SS LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, Sporty TV |
| 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea | DStv Now, GOtv Football, SS Maximo, SS LaLiga, GOtv LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, Canal+ |
| 🇸🇿 Eswatini | DStv Now, SS LaLiga, SS Maximo, GOtv LaLiga, GOtv Football, SuperSport Football Plus |
| 🇰🇲 Comoros | GOtv LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, SS LaLiga, SS Maximo, GOtv Football, New World App |
| 🇱🇷 Liberia | DStv Now, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv Football, SS LaLiga, SS Maximo, GOtv LaLiga |
| 🇲🇺 Mauritius | DStv Now, SS Maximo, SS LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv Football, GOtv LaLiga, New World App |
| 🇳🇵 Nepal | Himalaya Sports TV |
| 🇰🇭 Cambodia | Hang Meas HDTV |
| 🇹🇩 Chad | DStv Now, SS LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, SS Maximo, GOtv Football, GOtv LaLiga, beIN SPORTS MAX 1, Canal+, New World App |
| 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein | RTS 2 |
| 🇸🇹 São Tomé and Príncipe | SS Maximo, GOtv LaLiga, SS LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv Football |
| 🇸🇨 Seychelles | DStv Now, GOtv LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, SS Maximo, GOtv Football, SS LaLiga, New World App |
| 🇩🇯 Djibouti | DStv Now, GOtv Football, SS Maximo, GOtv LaLiga, SS LaLiga, SuperSport Football Plus, beIN SPORTS MAX 1, New World App, Canal+ |
| 🇪🇷 Eritrea | DStv Now, SuperSport Football Plus, GOtv LaLiga, SS Maximo, GOtv Football, SS LaLiga |
| 🇸🇴 Somalia | SuperSport Football Plus, SS LaLiga, SS Maximo, GOtv LaLiga, GOtv Football, beIN SPORTS MAX 1 |
| 🇺🇦 Ukraine | MEGOGO |
How to Watch Anywhere with VPN
Streaming rights are territory-locked — the platform broadcasting the match in one country may be completely inaccessible from another. That’s where a VPN comes in. By masking your real IP address and routing your connection through a server in a supported country, you can access any geo-restricted broadcast as if you were physically located there.
A quality VPN works across iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Smart TVs, so you’re covered no matter what device you’re watching on. Here’s how to get set up before kickoff:
- Step 1: Download and install a trusted VPN app on your device.
- Step 2: Connect to a server in a country where the match is broadcast — for example, Germany to access the free ZDF stream.
- Step 3: Open the streaming platform, log in to your account, and watch the match live.
Our recommended VPN: NordVPN — encrypts your connection and hides your IP across 9,500+ servers in 224 locations. One account covers 10 devices. Current deal: 76% off + 3 extra months, from $3.09/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
+ 3 months free
$3.09/mo
·
30-day money-back
How to Watch at Sportsbooks
Several licensed sportsbook platforms stream live football matches directly on their sites — completely free if you hold a funded account. It’s one of the easiest ways to watch and bet on the same screen simultaneously. Here’s how to get access:
- Step 1 – Register: Sign up for an account on a sportsbook that covers FIFA World Cup 2026 fixtures. Verify your identity as required.
- Step 2 – Deposit: Make a minimum deposit to activate your account. Most platforms require a funded balance to unlock live streaming.
- Step 3 – Find the stream: Navigate to the Portugal vs D.R. Congo fixture in the sportsbook’s live section. Look for a ‘Play’ or camera icon next to the match — click it to start the stream.
Availability varies by region and platform. Always check the terms of your chosen sportsbook regarding live streaming access and any minimum balance requirements before the match kicks off.
Don’t miss a moment of Portugal vs D.R. Congo at the FIFA World Cup 2026. With Ronaldo chasing history and D.R. Congo making their long-awaited return, this fixture is too big to skip. Catch the action live — and head back to TipsGG for full post-match analysis, results, and predictions.