Portugal to Miss Defender Rúben Dias in World Cup Opener Against DR Congo

Portugal will be without key defender Rúben Dias for their opening World Cup match against the Democratic Republic of Congo, coach Roberto Martínez announced on Tuesday. Dias sustained a minor injury several days before the tournament and is still recovering. Martínez emphasized that while Dias is healing well, the decision to rest him reflects a cautious approach to minimize risk early in the competition. "Rúben is not yet fully fit, it makes no sense to take risks," Martínez said at a press conference. "He is recovering and will be available later."

Dias is normally the leader of Portugal's defense, but the team has alternative center-back options available. Martínez can call upon Tomás Araújo, Renato Veiga, and Gonçalo Inácio to cover the defensive line in the opening fixture. The manager stressed the importance of looking ahead to the rest of the tournament while maintaining confidence in the squad's readiness.

Portugal, one of the tournament favorites heading to North America, faces a group stage that includes matches against Uzbekistan on June 23 and Colombia on June 28, in addition to the Congo opener. Martínez's squad is determined to begin their campaign strongly despite the absence of their defensive anchor. The Portuguese manager also announced that this World Cup will be his final tournament in charge, leaving behind a legacy as Portugal's most successful coach with a 70 percent win rate.