Is Ronaldo Playing in 2026 World Cup?
Portugal will open their World Cup campaign on Wednesday in Group K, and everyone is wondering if Ronaldo will be on the pitch. Let's take a look at the Portugal roster, latest news, and Ronaldo odds for the 2026 World Cup with him entering at 41 years old.
Peter Alexis - June 17, 2026, 9:00 AM EDT
4 Minute ReadWill Cristiano Ronaldo Suit Up for Portugal in 2026 World Cup At Age 41?
Cristiano Ronaldo is playing in the 2026 World Cup, and he is expected to start for Portugal in its opener against DR Congo on Wednesday at 1 p.m. ET. Portugal enters as a heavy -330 favorite, giving Ronaldo an immediate chance to answer Lionel Messi’s opening statement one day earlier.
At 41 years old, Ronaldo is making his sixth World Cup appearance, matching Messi’s record longevity on the sport’s biggest stage. The timing adds even more intrigue after Messi, 38, scored a hat trick in Argentina’s 3-0 win over Algeria on Tuesday night and immediately put the legends back at the center of the tournament.
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Portugal vs. DR Congo Odds
Is Cristiano Ronaldo Playing For Portugal Against DR Congo?
Ronaldo is not just on the roster, he is expected to lead the line for Portugal against DR Congo. Roberto Martinez still has one of the deepest squads in the tournament, with Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao, Vitinha, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, and Diogo Costa all giving Portugal a championship-caliber supporting cast.
That depth is what makes Ronaldo’s role so interesting. Portugal is not dependent on him the way it once was, but his penalty-box movement, finishing instincts, and set-piece presence still make him a central figure. Against a DR Congo side returning to the World Cup stage after a long absence, Portugal should create enough chances for Ronaldo to be heavily involved.
Ronaldo And Messi Both Reach Sixth World Cup
Ronaldo and Messi are now tied in another historic category, with both appearing in a sixth World Cup. That achievement alone speaks to their durability, professionalism, and ability to remain relevant across multiple generations of international soccer.
The difference is that Messi already landed the first major punch of 2026. His hat trick against Algeria moved him to 16 career World Cup goals, putting him level with the all-time record and one ahead of Ronaldo, who enters Portugal’s opener with 15. Ronaldo now has an immediate chance to respond.
Can Ronaldo Catch Messi On The World Cup Goals List?
Ronaldo’s World Cup scoring race with Messi has become one of the early storylines of the tournament. Messi’s three-goal explosion pushed him ahead, but Ronaldo is only one behind and faces a favorable opening matchup with Portugal favored by a wide margin.
There is also pressure from below. Kylian Mbappe is already up to 14 career World Cup goals after reaching the final in back-to-back tournaments with France, and he has far more time left than either Ronaldo or Messi. That makes every Ronaldo chance matter, especially if this is his final World Cup.
Cristiano Ronaldo Anytime Goalscorer Odds
Ronaldo is -125 to score anytime against DR Congo, a short number that reflects both Portugal’s attacking edge and his likely role near goal. He should remain a penalty option, and Portugal’s wide creators should be able to feed him chances if DR Congo is forced to defend deep for long stretches.
The market is clearly expecting Ronaldo to get opportunities. The question is whether he can still turn those chances into the kind of defining World Cup moment that has followed him since 2006. After Messi’s hat trick, the motivational edge is impossible to ignore.
Ronaldo World Cup Outlook
Anyone who thought Ronaldo and Messi were too old for this stage has already been put on alert. Messi opened the tournament with a hat trick, Ronaldo now gets his chance one day later, and Mbappe is lurking just behind both legends on the all-time World Cup scoring list.
Portugal is talented enough to make a deep run, and that may be the biggest advantage Ronaldo has in this race. If his minutes hold and Portugal advances the way the market expects, he will have more chances to chase Messi, the all-time record, and one final World Cup statement.
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