Serie A stars Rafael Leao and Francisco Conceicao have to settle for spots among the substitutes as Portugal open their 2026 World Cup campaign against DR Congo on Wednesday evening.
Both of the Serie A representatives in the Portugal vs. DR Congo match in Group K will start among the substitutes in Houston on Wednesday.
Roberto Martinez has opted to field departing Manchester City star Bernardo Silva on the right of his attack and Chelsea’s Pedro Neto on the left, instead of Juventus’s Conceicao and Milan’s Leao, who are best suited on the right and left respectively.
The Portugal attack will be completed by Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo at centre-forward. PSG pair Vitinha and Joao Neves start in midfield.
DR Congo appear to have gone with a back-five in Houston, featuring West Ham’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Burnley’s Axel Tuanzebe and captain Chancel Mbemba. The attack will be led by Newcastle United forward Yoane Wissa.
Gedeon Kalulu, brother of Juventus defender Pierre, is named among the DR Congo substitutes.
Kick-off is due at 18.00 BST.
Portugal vs. DR Congo: Confirmed line-ups
Portugal (4-2-3-1): D.Costa; Cancelo, T.Araujo, R.Veiga, N.Mendes; J.Neves, Vitinha; B.Silva, B.Fernandes, Neto; Ronaldo.
Subs: Sa, R.Silva, N.Semedo, R.Dias, Dalot, Inacio, S.Costa, M.Nunes, R.Neves, G.Ramos, J.Felix, Trincao, Leao, Guedes, Conceicao.
DR Congo (5-3-2): Mpasi; Wan-Bissaka, Kapuadi, Tuanzebe, Mbemba, Masuaku; Mukau, Moutoussamy, E.Kayembe; Bakambu, Wissa.
Subs: Fayulu, Epolo, Batubinska, Bakeyme, J.Kayembe, Kalulu, Mbuku, Bongonda, Sadiki, Tshibola, Pickel, Cipenga, Kakuta, Elia, Mayele, Banza.
