Cristiano Ronaldo is once again poised to challenge World Cup records.
Portugal will play DR Congo in their first match of the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup group stage on June 18 at 2 a.m. KST at Houston Stadium. Born in 1985, the 41-year-old Ronaldo is participating in his sixth World Cup.
Ronaldo's scoring could change the course of football history. He has scored in every World Cup since 2006, including tournaments in South Africa, Brazil, Russia, and Qatar. He already holds the record for being the first male player to score in five World Cups.
If he finds the net in this tournament, Ronaldo will become the first player in FIFA Men's World Cup history to score in six different tournaments, marking a 20-year span of scoring in World Cup finals.
Currently, Ronaldo has a total of eight goals in World Cup finals: one in 2006, one in 2010, one in 2014, four in 2018, and one in 2022. His hat trick against Spain in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup is considered one of the highlights of his World Cup career.
The opening match is crucial for Portugal. They are grouped with DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia in Group K. While they are seen as favorites to top the group, securing points in the first match is essential for a smoother progression through the group stage.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.