Portugal forced to cancel training and media duties as storm hits before DRC match

Less than an hour before Matheus Nunes was due to hold his press conference, the media were told to leave the press room and head back to their cars because of the storm. The Gardens North County District Park venue does not offer safe conditions in such weather.

At 23:00 CET, journalists were informed that all media activities had been called off. The national team’s training session, with the squad already present, was also at risk due to the rain and thunderstorm.

Later, the Portuguese Football Federation confirmed that the storm had indeed forced the cancellation of Roberto Martínez’s training session. Instead, the players carried out physical activation exercises indoors.

The quinas squad was also moved to a safe location, following the emergency preparation plan designed for such scenarios.

The training session planned for today has also been rescheduled, with the team now practising in the morning rather than later in the day, as weather conditions are expected to worsen in the evening.

Consequently, a player will speak to the media at 14:45 CET, and the training session – open for 15 minutes – will take place at 16:30 CET.

Portugal will compete in Group K and are 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 face Colombia in Miami.