We're into the second week of the FIFA World Cup 2026, and it just keeps getting better. Today, European powerhouse Portugal take on the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their Group K game at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Portugal are led by Cristiano Ronaldo, the world's most popular athlete, who, at 41, refuses to let his career end without soccer's most coveted honor. This is his sixth appearance at the World Cup, and fans worldwide remain hopeful that he can guide his country to its first World Cup title. That journey begins against DR Congo, so here's how you can watch the game live online, even without a streaming subscription.
When Is the Portugal vs. DR Congo World Cup Match?
The Portugal vs. DR Congo World Cup game kicks off at 1 p.m. ET on June 17 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Portugal are the significantly higher-ranked team and are favorites to win this game. They have a strong roster, with the likes of Rúben Dias, João Cancelo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Vitinha, along with the esteemed Cristiano Ronaldo. Their recent form hasn't been solid, having won three of their last four games.
DR Congo, on the other hand, may have reasons to worry. Their form since qualifying has been mixed, with a draw and a defeat in two outings. However, this World Cup has produced enough surprises to remind us not to underestimate anyone.
How to Stream Portugal vs. DR Congo Live in the US
Today's match will air on both Fox and Telemundo. If you're watching in the US, you can follow along with a variety of sports streaming subscriptions, including DirecTV, Fox One, Fubo, Peacock, Sling, YouTube TV, and more. If you don't have a streaming service, you may be able to watch the game with a free trial.
You can check out our full breakdown in our detailed FIFA World Cup streaming coverage.
How to Watch the Portugal vs. DR Congo Match Online for Free
The Portugal vs. DR Congo match will air live for free across the globe on several streaming platforms:
- The UK: BBC iPlayer/ITV
- Ireland: RTE Player
- Australia: SBS
- France: M6
- Belgium: RTBF
- Austria: Servus TV
- Spain: RTVE
- Brazil: CazéTV on YouTube
These platforms are geo-locked to their respective countries, so if you're tuning in from the US or another country and want to try to watch for free, you can use a virtual private network (VPN). To watch the Portugal vs. DR Congo World Cup match, we recommend ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN is PCMag's top choice for location spoofing because it offers server locations around the globe, making it easy to find the right server to mask your location. Plus, this year, ExpressVPN is also an official supporter of the FIFA World Cup.
Here's how you can access the Portugal vs. DR Congo match with a VPN using BBC iPlayer as an example:
- Sign up for a streaming-friendly VPN (like ExpressVPN).
- Download the VPN app on your computer, phone, or preferred device.
- Connect to a server in the UK.
- Visit BBC iPlayer or ITV to start streaming.
Usually, the top VPNs that let you connect to servers in other countries aren't free. But if you already have a VPN subscription or qualify for a free trial, you may be able to use one to watch the FIFA World Cup match between Portugal and DR Congo at no additional cost.
How Long Is the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The 23rd FIFA World Cup will span from June 11 to July 19.
It's an event of many firsts. It's the first time the event is being hosted by three nations: the US, Canada, and Mexico. The tournament has also expanded to 48 participating nations, and we'll see a total of 104 games. The eventual champion will have to win five knockout games, instead of the former four.
We'll be following the World Cup for the next month, so stay tuned for more streaming advice.
Source: PCMag.com
