Storm forces Portugal to cancel training and media activities ahead of DRC clash

Storm forces cancellation of media activities and puts training at risk
Storm forces cancellation of media activities and puts training at riskREUTERS/Marco Bello

The training session and media activities for the Portuguese national football team, who are preparing for their World Cup 2026 debut against the Democratic Republic of Congo, were canceled on Sunday due to a storm that hit Palm Beach, in the United States.

Less than an hour before Matheus Nunes' press conference was set to begin, the media were informed that they had to leave the press room and return to their vehicles due to the storm, as the Gardens North County District Park venue does not offer safe conditions for such weather.

At 23:00 CET, journalists were told that all media activities were cancelled and that the national team’s training session, with the squad already on site, was at risk due to the rain and thunderstorm.

Later, the Portuguese Football Federation revealed that the storm indeed forced the cancellation of the training session led by Roberto Martínez, with the players instead doing physical activation exercises indoors.

The quinas squad was also required to move to a safe location, carrying out the emergency preparation work planned for situations like this.

The training session scheduled for today was also changed, with the team practising in the morning instead of later in the day, as worsening weather conditions are expected in the evening.

Thus, a player will speak to the media at 14:45 CET, with the training session - open for 15 minutes - taking place at 16:30 CET.

Portugal will compete in Group K and is set to make their debut on June 17th against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Houston.

Next up is debutant Uzbekistan on June 23rd, also in Houston and also kicking off at 12:00 pm (6:00 pm), with the group stage concluding on June 27th, when Portugal faces Colombia in Miami.

The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11th to July 19th in the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament will feature 48 national teams and will be played in 16 modern stadiums.

Match schedule and times | Group tables | Full squads for World Cup | How to watch the World Cup 

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