#世界杯🏆2026 June 17 World Cup Predictions

Portugal VS Congo DR
This match is held at Houston Stadium, which features a retractable roof, providing favorable conditions for the local hot and humid weather.
From a strength perspective on paper, Portugal's 1.01 billion euros far surpasses Congo DR's 144 million euros. Portugal's announced squad includes 15 players from top five leagues, with the remaining players mainly from domestic leagues, Saudi leagues, and others. The Portuguese team is generally fully assembled, with key players like 41-year-old captain Cristiano Ronaldo, midfield core Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, as well as forwards Rafael Leão and João Félix, all healthy and ready to play in the first match. Dias's absence affects the team's central defense, aerial defense, and ball distribution, but substitutes like Thomas Araújo can fill in. Congo DR's announced squad includes 10 players from top five leagues, with the rest mainly from various European leagues.
Although Congo DR experienced minor disruptions due to pandemic quarantine measures, their main lineup has not suffered significant injuries, and the team has assembled fully, ready to compete in the first match at any time. This is a tactical contest between a top European possession-based powerhouse and an African team known for tough defense and counterattack. Portugal boasts a squad with the second-highest market value at this World Cup, with a mature tactical system and the strongest attacking firepower in the tournament. While Congo DR has resilient defense and strong physical confrontation ability, there is a clear gap in overall strength.
The key to this match lies in whether Portugal can, in Dias's absence, tear through the opponent's dense defense with strong midfield control, and whether Cristiano Ronaldo can break the deadlock in the first game.
This match favors Portugal.