HOUSTON, June 17 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo will start for Portugal in their World Cup Group K opener against Democratic Republic of Congo in Houston on Wednesday.
• Ronaldo, 41, features in a sixth World Cup after his debut in 2006, a record he shares with Argentina's Lionel Messi.
• Defender Ruben Dias is out with injury and instead Portugal have Tomas Araujo and Renato Veiga as their centre-back pairing.
• Bernardo Silva starts for Portugal on the day his move to Real Madrid was confirmed by the LaLiga club.
• Yoane Wissa starts up front for DR Congo alongside Cedric Bakambu.
• DR Congo are playing a first match at the World Cup in 52 years, while Portugal feature in a seventh straight global finals and ninth overall. Teams:Portugal: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Tomas Araujo, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto, Bernado Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo.DR Congo: Lionel Mpasi, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Steve Kapuadi, Axel Tuanzebe, Arthur Masuaku, Chancel Mbemba, Edo Kayembe, Samuel Moutoussamy, Ngal'ayel Mukau, Cedric Bakambu, Yoane Wissa.
(Reporting by Michael Kahn; Editing by Toby Chopra)
