Portugal’s quest for glory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup began on a disappointing note after they were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo in their opening Group fixture, marking another frustrating start to a World Cup campaign for the European giants.
The result means Portugal have now won only four of their nine FIFA World Cup opening matches. Their recent opening-game record has been particularly inconsistent, with three of their last five World Cup debuts ending in draws.
For Portuguese captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who is featuring in what is widely expected to be his final FIFA World Cup, the result was far from ideal as his side struggled to secure maximum points against a resilient Congolese team.
DR Congo, however, will take immense pride from the historic outcome. Forward Yoane Wissa etched his name into the country’s football history books by becoming the first DR Congo player to score at the FIFA World Cup.
Portugal’s opening-match history at the FIFA World Cup now stands at four wins, two defeats, and three draws, underscoring their occasional struggles to make a strong start on football’s biggest stage.
