Michael Adkison/Houston Public Media
Fans sport Cristiano Ronaldo jerseys at the FIFA Fan Festival in East Downtown on June 17, 2026.
Whether it was the classic red jersey of Portugal, the icy blue of the country’s away kit or the black jersey of Real Madrid, hundreds of soccer fans represented Cristiano Ronaldo as they came to the FIFA Fan Festival in East Downtown to watch the 41-year-old star play in what could be his final World Cup.
From inside the sold-out NRG Stadium, where Ronaldo and his Portugal team made their debut in the 2026 tournament, there was a clear favorite among fans: red jerseys around the entirety of the stadium indicated most were there for Portugal.
Its group-stage match against the Democratic Republic of Congo, which ended in a 1-1 tie Wednesday afternoon, was one of the most highly anticipated matches in Houston. Entering the tournament ranked fifth in the world, Portugal dropped two slots in FIFA’s rankings following the tie, which was considered an upset in Congo’s favor.
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Ronaldo, who is trying to become the first soccer player to score goals in six different World Cup tournaments, has stated this year’s event will be his last. As he took the field at NRG Stadium on Wednesday, his fans cheered from miles away at the fan festival.
“I couldn’t afford a ticket, but we’re right there,” said Carlos Romero, a Katy resident who traveled to the fan fest. “I was willing to spend $800, but it wasn’t even $800, it was like $1,300. I was like, man. Hopefully, I’m trying to see him next week if I can save money.”
Michael Adkison/Houston Public Media
Carlos Romero sports a Cristiano Ronaldo jersey at the FIFA Fan Festival on June 17, 2026.
Portugal will play one more match in Houston, scheduled for noon Tuesday, June 23 against Uzbekistan.
“Being here in Houston — and having him here for two games — that’s crazy,” Romero said. “It’s amazing. There’s Ronaldo fans all over the world, so we’re here.”
AP Photo/Karen Warren
Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, right, controls the ball as Congo’s Chancel Mbemba defends during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Congo in Houston, Wednesday, June 17, 2026.
Some fans, like Betty Sanchez and her family, traveled great lengths to be in the same city as Ronaldo. Sanchez drove from Monterrey, Mexico, so her children could go to the match at NRG Stadium while she and her husband were at fan fest.
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“It was like our biggest dream,” she said. “We are soccer fans, and we usually travel for soccer … but seeing Cristiano, it will be our first time.”
In spite of that, she said she was not jealous of her children being at the stadium to see him.
Michael Adkison/Houston Public Media
A fan sporting a Cristiano Ronaldo jersey dances at the FIFA Fan Festival on June 17, 2026.
Neither were Maria and Sorangel Homez, a mother and daughter who attended the fan fest while father and son went to the match at the stadium.
“Tickets are a lot,” Maria said with a laugh. “Close enough, close enough.”
The excitement of the fan festival was enough for them, Maria said. Even seeing the excitement of the Congolese community at the festival made it a great environment, but Ronaldo’s looming retirement was emotional for her family.
“I think it’s so exciting, but it’s actually so sad,” Maria said, “especially because I grew up watching soccer with my dad. So it’s a lot, seeing this as his last [World Cup].”