Ronaldo Begins Sixth World Cup For Portugal Against DRC — When Is Portugal Playing In The World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup starts on Wednesday against the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and when is portugal playing in the world cup is now answered with Portugal’s opening match in south-east Texas. The timing puts Ronaldo back at the center of a tournament that has already tested how much he should carry for this team.
Roberto Martínez has the forward available after Fifa’s disciplinary committee suspended the final two games of Ronaldo’s three-match ban from the qualifying defeat to the Republic of Ireland. Ronaldo scored five goals in qualifying, including against Hungary and Armenia, but Portugal’s first game now comes under a closed roof in south-east Texas after the area was on flood watch until Thursday.
Ronaldo And Desabre
Sébastien Desabre did not soften the scale of the assignment. “He’s probably one of the best players in football history.” he said of Ronaldo, then added: “It’s a challenge for our defenders and, when it comes to set pieces, he is one of the best.”
That is the matchup inside the matchup. Portugal can field arguably the best first-choice midfield in this summer’s competition, and it also has an experienced defence and an admirable array of wide forwards, so Ronaldo does not have to decide everything alone even if he remains the name everyone starts with.
Portugal’s Early Pressure
The scrutiny is not new. Portugal cut loose at the World Cup in Qatar after Ronaldo was dropped in the last 16 and scored six against Switzerland, a reminder that the side can move without him when Martínez chooses a different shape.
Ronaldo’s recent tournament record has pulled in two directions. He scored a pair of penalties against France at Euro 2020, then signed off at Euro 2024 with a static performance in the quarter-final against France, leaving this World Cup as another direct test of what he still adds at this level.
Bruno Fernandes And The Burden
Bruno Fernandes called it an “honour” on Wednesday evening to accompany Ronaldo once again, and Matheus Nunes was blunter about the emotional weight of the moment. “I never imagined playing with Cristiano, it’s a huge honour to be here with him” he said, before adding: “Everyone knows what a great figure he is. If we can win the title for him, it would be something very big.”
That is the tension for Portugal’s opener. The squad around Ronaldo is strong enough to chase a title, but the first match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo will show whether his sixth World Cup begins as a lift for Martínez’s team or as another evening where every touch is judged against the last one.
