Serie A players Rafael Leão and Francisco Conceição will have to settle for places among the substitutes as Portugal kick off their 2026 World Cup campaign against DR Congo on Wednesday night. In the Group K match, the two Serie A representatives in the Portuguese team will be substitutes in Houston. Coach Roberto Martínez opted to field departing Manchester City star Bernardo Silva on the right side of attack and Chelsea's Pedro Neto on the left instead of Juventus' Conceição and Milan's Leão, who are better suited to those positions. Portugal's attack will be completed by Manchester United player Bruno Fernandes and legend Cristiano Ronaldo as a central striker. In midfield, PSG players Vitinha and João Neves start. DR Congo appear to have chosen a five-man defense in Houston, with West Ham's Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Burnley's Axel Tuanzebe and captain Chancel Mbemba making up the defensive line. The attack will be led by Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa. Gedeon Kalulu, brother of Juventus defender Pierre, is one of DR Congo's substitutes. Kick-off is scheduled for 6pm BST.
Portugal (4-2-3-1): D.Costa; Cancelo, T.Araujo, R.Veiga, N.Mendes; J.Neves, Vitinha; B.Silva, B.Fernandes, Neto; Ronaldo. Substitutes: Sa, R.Silva, N.Semedo, R.Dias, Dalot, Inácio, S.Costa, M.Nunes, R.Neves, G.Ramos, J.Félix, Trincão, Leão, Guedes, Conceição.
DR Congo (5-3-2): Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Kapuadi, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaku; Mukau, Moutoussamy, E.Kayembe; Bakambu, Wissa. Substitutes: Fayulu, Epolo, Batubinska, Bakeyme, J.Kayembe, Kalulu, Mbuku, Bongonda, Sadiki, Tshibola, Pickel, Cipenga, Kakuta, Elia, Mayele, Banza.