Ruben Dias ruled out for Portugal’s World Cup opener against Congo

Portugal will take the pitch against DR Congo on June 18 without one of the most important defenders in world football. Ruben Dias, the Manchester City center-back and cornerstone of Portugal’s backline, has been ruled out of the opening World Cup match due to fitness issues.

What happened with Dias

The warning signs surfaced on June 16, when Dias trained separately from the rest of the Portugal squad.

Teammate Matheus Nunes struck an optimistic tone that same day, describing Dias as a critical asset to the national team and expressing hope for his eventual return during the tournament.

The underlying concern appears to be hamstring-related, though Portugal’s camp has not disclosed the specific nature of the fitness issue.

What this means for Portugal’s World Cup campaign

Portugal’s opponent presents its own storyline. DR Congo is returning to the World Cup after a 52-year absence, which means they’ll be playing with the kind of fearless energy that comes from having absolutely nothing to lose.

The OKX connection

Beyond the pitch, Dias holds a notable position in the crypto ecosystem as a global ambassador for OKX, the digital asset exchange. The partnership dates back to February 2023 and was renewed in November 2025, with Dias utilizing OKX Wallet for personal Web3 activities.

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