The 41-year-old Ronaldo is also chasing history as the first player to score in six World Cups. Messi is playing in his sixth World Cup as well but failed to find the net in 2010. Some Portugal supporters have questioned whether the aging star will help or hurt the team, especially after he scored just once at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, reacted angrily to being substituted against South Korea, and was benched for Portugal's first knockout match against Switzerland. He also failed to score at the 2024 European Championship, the first time that had happened for him at a major international tournament.
Ronaldo has still shown signs of his old productivity. He scored eight goals during Portugal's 2025 UEFA Nations League title run, including an equalizer in the final against Spain, and recently his first Saudi Pro League title with Al-Nassr while leading the club with 28 goals.
Well, I wish him the best, I hope that he scores but not against us.
Congo coach Sébastien Desabre said that of the Portugal forward ahead of Wednesday's meeting. Ronaldo has said his focus remains on team success rather than individual milestones.
We go match by match, but not with the expectations of winning it all. It has to be step by step. A good start is the most important thing.
Ronaldo told reporters in Portugal last week before the team's departure.
Wednesday's World Cup Schedule
Four group-stage matches are on the slate for Wednesday:
- Portugal vs. Congo, 1 p.m. EDT in Houston (Fox)
- England vs. Croatia, 4 p.m. EDT in Arlington, Texas (Fox/FS1)
- Ghana vs. Panama, 7 p.m. EDT in Toronto (FS1)
- Uzbekistan vs. Colombia, 10 p.m. EDT in Mexico City (FS1)
Harry Kane, one of the world's dominant goal scorers, leads England into its first match against Croatia with the Three Lions still seeking their first World Cup title since winning on home soil in 1966. Kane has been a force over the past year with 61 goals in 51 matches for Bayern Munich across all competitions. The 32-year-old striker has eight goals across two previous World Cups and the Golden Boot in 2018 by scoring six times in Russia.
Kane did not score in England's 2018 semifinal loss to Croatia. In 2022, he missed a late penalty against France in a 2-1 semifinal loss in Qatar when he sent the ball over the crossbar. His eight World Cup goals leave him two shy of Gary Lineker's England record.
Ghana and England Squad Updates
Ghana will play its opening match against Panama without midfielder Thomas Partey after a Canadian judge on Tuesday rejected a bid to allow him into the country while he awaits trial on rape charges. Partey's visa application was denied last week, and he will remain in the United States while his teammates play in Toronto on Wednesday. He will be eligible to play in Ghana's next two matches, both in the United States.
Ghana's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had criticized the visa denial, calling it a high-handed and extremely unfair decision. Its appeal was heard by the court earlier Tuesday. Partey is awaiting trial in Britain while facing allegations from several women dating to his time playing for Arsenal from 2020 to 2025. He has pleaded not guilty.
England fullback Tino Livramento was ruled out of the World Cup on Tuesday because of a calf injury, forcing coach Thomas Tuchel into a late squad change ahead of the Croatia opener. Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah was called up as a replacement and was due to head to the England training camp in Kansas City. Livramento was injured during training on Sunday, and a subsequent scan and medical assessment on Monday confirmed he could play no further part in England's tournament.
