Cristiano Ronaldo’s record sixth World Cup appearance begins on Wednesday as Portugal open their campaign against the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the team facing a familiar question: whether the veteran forward can still be the decisive force needed for a deep tournament run.

The 41-year-old captain remains one of the biggest figures in international football, but Portugal’s hopes depend on balancing Ronaldo’s experience and finishing ability with the strengths of a squad that has developed into one of the most complete teams at the competition.

Portugal enter the tournament with a strong midfield, an experienced defensive unit and a wide selection of attacking players. The central issue is whether Ronaldo’s presence will elevate the team or place additional pressure on a side built around several younger contributors.

For coach Roberto Martínez, Ronaldo remains a key part of the team’s structure. He said the forward continues to provide leadership, movement and goalscoring ability, while also creating space for teammates.The challenge comes from assessing how Ronaldo can influence matches at the highest level at this stage of his career.

At recent major tournaments, his impact has been questioned after Portugal showed they could perform effectively without relying entirely on him.At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Portugal produced their strongest attacking display after Ronaldo was left out of the starting lineup for their last-16 match against Switzerland, where they won 6-1.

At Euro 2024, his performance in the quarter-final defeat by France raised further questions about his ability to dominate matches against elite opponents.However, Ronaldo has continued to produce important moments. During Portugal’s successful Nations League campaign in 2024-25, he scored six goals against strong opposition, reinforcing the argument that he can still influence major games.

The opening match against the Democratic Republic of Congo will provide an early indication of his current level. DRC coach Sébastien Desabre acknowledged the threat Ronaldo poses, particularly from set pieces, describing him as one of the best players in football history.

The match has attracted additional attention after Ronaldo’s suspension situation was resolved. A three-match ban received during qualifying was reduced, allowing him to take part in Portugal’s opening fixture.The game will take place in Houston under a closed roof, with weather conditions affecting preparations.

Portugal’s training session was cancelled before the match because of storms around their base near Miami.For Ronaldo’s teammates, playing alongside him remains a significant moment.

Manchester City midfielder Matheus Nunes said being part of the same squad as Ronaldo was a major honour and that winning the tournament would be a major achievement for the team.

Bruno Fernandes, another important figure in Portugal’s midfield, also spoke about Ronaldo’s influence. He recalled watching Ronaldo play at Euro 2004 as a young fan, before later becoming his international teammate.Portugal’s squad contains several players capable of reducing the pressure on Ronaldo.

Midfielders such as Vitinha and Fernandes provide creativity, while the team’s attacking options allow Martínez to adjust tactics depending on the opposition.The manager’s task is to ensure Ronaldo’s importance does not restrict the team’s overall approach.

Portugal must use his strengths while maintaining the fluid attacking style that has helped them compete successfully in recent years.The forward scored five goals during Portugal’s World Cup qualifying campaign, including matches against Hungary and Armenia, and Martínez believes those numbers demonstrate that Ronaldo remains capable of contributing at the international level.

Beyond individual statistics, Ronaldo’s sixth World Cup carries historical significance. Few players have maintained an international career of this length, and his continued involvement has become a major storyline of the tournament.

For Portugal, however, the focus remains on results. The team have never won the World Cup and will look to combine Ronaldo’s experience with the ability of a new generation of players.

The match against the Democratic Republic of Congo will be the first measure of whether Ronaldo’s milestone tournament becomes a final chapter defined by success or a difficult reminder of football’s demands on ageing stars.

A mid-match tactical intervention by United States men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino has drawn attention to how teams may adapt to new cooling-break regulations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, highlighting a growing debate over the impact of the rule on the sport.

The moment occurred during the United States’ 3-2 victory over Senegal in a World Cup warm-up match in Charlotte, North Carolina. Midway through the first half, television cameras captured Pochettino crouched near the bench while examining video footage on a laptop held by an assistant.

Several players gathered around the screen as the coach delivered instructions.The scene quickly attracted attention online, with images of players clustered around the laptop becoming widely shared on social media.

While some observers treated the incident as a novelty, the session reflected a deliberate coaching strategy employed by Pochettino to provide immediate visual feedback during matches.According to the Argentine coach, the video review focused on specific sequences in which he believed the United States could improve its performance.

Speaking after the match, Pochettino said visual demonstrations can help players better understand tactical adjustments.”The players need to feel, but they also need to see,” Pochettino said. “I think it’s very helpful for the player to see actions. When they see the image, I think it’s really important.

“Pochettino said he has used similar methods for years, tracing the practice back to his managerial tenure at Spanish club Espanyol, where he began coaching in 2009. He described the approach as an effective tool for communicating tactical information during games.

The episode also highlighted the evolving role of cooling breaks in international football. During the 2026 World Cup, matches will include mandatory stoppages midway through each half.

FIFA has introduced the measure to ensure consistency across tournament fixtures, particularly given expectations that some matches will be played in high-temperature conditions where hydration breaks would otherwise be required for player safety.

The policy has generated discussion among coaches, players and commentators regarding its effect on the traditionally uninterrupted nature of football. Cooling breaks have already been implemented during several preparatory matches involving World Cup participants, including United States fixtures in March and the Senegal friendly in Charlotte.

The stoppage in Charlotte took place despite moderate weather conditions, with temperatures remaining in the mid-70s Fahrenheit throughout the match. Similar breaks were also used during indoor matches played earlier in the year at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Although the image of players gathered around a laptop created comparisons with timeouts commonly seen in sports such as basketball, identical scenes are unlikely during the World Cup itself.

Tournament regulations do not permit players to leave the field during cooling breaks. However, teams continue to seek clarification regarding what forms of communication and instruction will be allowed during those intervals.

The introduction of mandatory stoppages has prompted broader questions about whether football is moving toward a more structured format that creates additional opportunities for coaching intervention. Critics argue that the breaks alter the rhythm of the game and provide tactical advantages that did not previously exist.

Some observers have also suggested that additional stoppages create opportunities for broadcasters to insert advertising inventory into periods that would traditionally feature continuous gameplay. Such concerns have become part of a wider debate about commercial pressures and the evolution of sports broadcasting.

Coaches, meanwhile, have largely focused on the competitive implications. Earlier this year, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez described the cooling break as a tactical opportunity capable of influencing the direction of a match.Players have also acknowledged the practical benefits of the stoppages. United States defender Mark McKenzie said the break against Senegal allowed the team to address tactical issues while protecting a narrow lead.

McKenzie said the pause enabled players and coaches to make adjustments related to pressing systems, defensive transitions and overall organization. He described the opportunity as beneficial because it allowed the group to reset collectively and improve areas identified during the match.Despite using the stoppage to communicate tactical instructions, Pochettino expressed reservations about the broader concept of mandatory breaks in football.

The coach said he supports hydration pauses when weather conditions create legitimate health concerns but questioned their necessity in more moderate environments.According to Pochettino, player welfare should remain the primary consideration. However, he argued that professional footballers are capable of competing through a standard 45-minute half without interruption under normal conditions.

The coach also voiced concerns that the accumulation of rule changes could gradually alter the character of the sport. While acknowledging the practical realities of modern football administration, he suggested that some adjustments are reshaping aspects of the game that have historically distinguished football from other sports.

As teams continue preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the cooling-break policy is expected to remain a topic of discussion. The scene in Charlotte demonstrated how coaches may use the additional stoppages as strategic tools, even as debates continue over whether such interventions enhance player welfare, improve competition or fundamentally change the nature of football.