Cristiano Ronaldo was in Portugal’s starting lineup when the team kicked off its 2026 World Cup campaign against DR Congo on Wednesday, June 17—drawing hundreds of fans to NRG Stadium hours before kickoff.
HOUSTON — Three hours before Portugal kicked off its 2026 World Cup campaign against Congo on Wednesday, June 17, hundreds of fans wearing CR7 jerseys lined up in the rain outside NRG Stadium to see their idol play.
They got what they came for. Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the most decorated and famous soccer players on the planet, began his sixth World Cup as part of Portugal’s starting lineup against Congo.
Ronaldo entered Wednesday’s game with eight career World Cup goals across 22 appearances. The moment carried extra pressure because of how close the all-time record race is at the top of the sport. Rival Lionel Messi. who delivered a hat trick on June 16. reached 16 career World Cup goals and tied Germany great Miroslav Klose for the men’s all-time record.
Portugal’s lineup for the match included:
GK Diogo Costa
João Cancelo
Rúben Dias
Gonçalo Inácio
Nuno Mendes
Bruno Fernandes
Vitinha
Bernardo Silva
Rafael Leão
Cristiano Ronaldo
Pedro Neto
The sequence was clear from the start: fans waited through the rain for Ronaldo’s name on the team sheet, and the start confirmed he would be the focal point as Portugal opened its campaign on home turf in Houston.
Cristiano Ronaldo Portugal DR Congo 2026 World Cup Lionel Messi Miroslav Klose NRG Stadium Houston
Wait so Ronaldo is already starting like… at 6th World Cup??
The article says Messi tied Klose with a hat trick?? I’m confused like why is it talking about yesterday when this is Portugal today lol. Also people lining up in the rain for CR7 is wild.
Ronaldo starting doesn’t even mean anything if the defense is trash. Like Portugal always looks good on paper then concedes first. Also Congo sounds like the wrong team name? I thought it was DR Congo vs someone else.
NRG Stadium in Houston for the World Cup campaign and nobody’s talking about weather?? Rain + hundreds of people + CR7 jerseys… I mean that’s commitment. Surprised he’s got 8 goals in 22 appearances like that seems low for someone that famous. If Messi got 16 goals already then who even wants to watch Ronaldo records, it’s basically done.