Will Cristiano Ronaldo play tonight for Portugal vs DR Congo in FIFA World Cup 2026?

(Courtesy : Getty)
Portugal will open their World Cup 2026 campaign against DR Congo.
Portugal, headed by Cristiano Ronaldo, will begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against DR Congo tonight in Houston. They will look to get off to a winning start in Group K, which also includes Colombia and Uzbekistan.
Roberto Martinez’s team will have to deal with the spotlight on Ronaldo throughout the tournament. The 41-year-old seeks to win the World Cup for the first time in his sixth and almost certainly final attempt. Ronaldo has won the Euros (2016) and the Nations League (2019, 2025) with Portugal.
But his ultimate goal remains the World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo hasn’t played a football match in the United States in over 10 years. But that will change tonight in Houston, Texas, when Portugal’s World Cup campaign begins against DR Congo.
Ronaldo, 41, is perhaps the world’s most famous football player and will most likely play in his final World Cup before retiring. But the 2030 men’s World Cup will be held in Spain, Morocco, and Portugal, so we should never make assumptions.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo play tonight?

Yes, Cristiano Ronaldo will play tonight; the 41-year-old is fit to make his sixth cameo at the World Cup. The striker will lead the team in the attack against DR Congo.
Portugal are among the teams to watch out for in the competition this time. They will be motivated to make many surprises with their excellent squad.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo will take centre stage for his side in this World Cup, which might be his last tournament appearance. He will look to clinch the trophy in North America.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo play tonight?
Yes, he is fit to play.
What time will the game start?
10:30 pm IST on 17 June, today.
Where will the game be played?
NRG Stadium in Houston.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.