When Matheus Nunes was reminded of working in his godfather’s pastry store throughout the press convention for Portugal’s World Cup 2026 opener, the Manchester Metropolis participant admitted he had “by no means imagined” taking part in with Selecao captain and five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo.
As soon as an unsuccessful trialist for Leicester Metropolis, Nunes is making ready to satisfy DR Congo in Houston within the firm of 41-year-old Portugal captain Ronaldo, who’s the all-time high worldwide scorer and concentrating on the title at what is nearly actually his final World Cup.
“We’re proud to be right here with Cristiano,” mentioned Nunes. “Ten years in the past, I used to be taking part in within the sixth division, so I by no means imagined it.
“For us, it’s an enormous honour to be right here with him. Everybody is aware of what a terrific determine he’s. If we will win the title for him, it will be one thing very huge.”
A pre-tournament journey to the seaside, Nunes mentioned, was a part of adapting to the local weather slightly than an indication of slackness from a squad being tipped by many to problem.
“I, for example, spend the yr taking part in in Manchester,” defined the 27-year-old. “It’s not as sizzling there. It’s an enormous distinction.
“Going to the seaside within the morning to adapt to the warmth, solar and humidity was a part of the plan. We’re not spending extra time on the seaside than at coaching.”
Former Manchester United defender Axel Tuanzebe scored the extra-time aim in Zapopan to ship DR Congo to the finals with a play-off win towards Jamaica.
“What a day it was,” mentioned Burnley’s Tuanzebe, whose earlier golf equipment additionally embrace Aston Villa and Napoli, talking to FIFA.
“For me, scoring the aim, I didn’t actually assume an excessive amount of of self accolades. It was extra what it meant to the crew, nation and folks.
“We will actually be a darkish horse. Loads of the opposition will not be actually conscious of what we will convey when it comes to our vitality ranges, patterns of play and an actual togetherness that we now have.”
The 2-time African champions are making their second look on the World Cup, having misplaced three video games in 1974, after they have been often called Zaire.
“Our path to qualification was fairly troublesome,” mentioned head coach Sebastien DesabreIt, discussing a run that additionally included seven wins, a draw and two defeats to complete two factors behind computerized qualifiers Senegal throughout the preliminary stage. “It was a do-or-die scenario [against Jamaica].”
That is the primary match in Group Okay, which continues when Uzbekistan meet Colombia in Mexico Metropolis on Thursday (03:00 BST).
Portugal then face Uzbekistan in Houston on Tuesday (18:00), adopted by DR Congo towards Colombia in Zapopan on Wednesday (03:00).
World Cup 2026: Portugal v DR Congo crew information
Manchester Metropolis centre-back Ruben Dias missed a lot of the second half of the season with a hamstring harm however returned for Portugal’s pleasant wins over Chile and Nigeria this month and has skilled totally.
Ronaldo sat out his nation’s first two matches of the yr with a hamstring harm and began each warm-up video games as captain, that includes for 45 minutes towards La Roja adopted by a 65-minute outing towards the Tremendous Eagles.
Benfica defender Tomas Araujo may make his second aggressive worldwide look, having beforehand featured towards Croatia within the Nations League in November 2024.
Samu Costa is Portugal’s different outfield participant with a single-figure caps whole. The Mallorca midfielder’s two aggressive outings have been transient cameos towards Poland throughout that Nations League marketing campaign.
Rocky Bushiri withdrew from DR Congo’s squad with an Achilles harm sustained whereas taking part in for Hibernian on the ultimate matchday of the Scottish season.
Kilmarnock midfielder and former England youth worldwide Aaron Tshibola has changed the centre-back.
Yoane Wissa may make his first look at a significant event since September 2024, having struggled with a knee harm and scored one Premier League aim final season after becoming a member of Newcastle from Brentford for £55 million.
Wissa didn’t return to full health in time to characteristic on the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January, at which DR Congo’s extra-time exit to Algeria within the final 16 marked Gael Kakuta’s most up-to-date aggressive match for his nation.
The massively skilled former Chelsea and France Below-21 winger returned as a second-half substitute within the 2-1 defeat to Chile in a pleasant on June 9.
