Cristiano Ronaldo is set to challenge another World Cup record.
Portugal will play DR Congo in their opening match of Group K at the 2026 FIFA North America World Cup on June 18 at 2 a.m. KST at Houston Stadium in the United States. At 41 years old, Ronaldo is participating in his sixth World Cup.
Whether Ronaldo scores could change the course of football history. Since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, he has scored in every tournament, including South Africa in 2010, Brazil in 2014, Russia in 2018, and Qatar in 2022. He already holds the record for being the first male player to score in five World Cups.
If he finds the net again 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.
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 the highlight 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 run in the group stage.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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