A viral social media post that claimed Indian cricket star Virat Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma attended Portugal's opening match of FIFA World Cup 2026 against the Democratic Republic of Congo has been proven to be fake. AI-generated images and misinformation online are spreading, and there are increasing fears about AI-generated images and misinformation.
The image, which circulated on X (formerly Twitter), appeared to show Kohli and Anushka sitting in the stands at Houston Stadium as Cristiano Ronaldo-led Portugal began their World Cup campaign. Since Kohli has a long-standing affinity for Ronaldo, many fans quickly thought the image was real and circulated it on social media.
But there is no credible evidence that the couple attended the match. Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma are now in London spending time with their children. Similar claims had emerged days earlier suggesting that the couple planned to attend Portugal's World Cup opener, but those reports were also found to be inaccurate.
Why So Many People Believed the Photo
Cristiano Ronaldo was such a big cause of the image being popular; Kohli has known so much about the Portuguese superstar too. Kohli has publicly spoken of Ronaldo's dedication, discipline, fitness standards, and winning attitude the whole time.
Because this connection is well-known, many social media users assumed that Kohli would travel to see Ronaldo’s World Cup match in person.
But in today’s digital age, no longer is an authentic story enough to establish authenticity.
The Growing Threat of AI-Generated Celebrity Images
And the viral image is another reminder of how rapidly artificial intelligence technology is changing the information landscape.
AI image-generating tools can generate very realistic pictures of celebrities, athletes, politicians, and public figures in minutes. Many of these images are so convincing that even experienced social media users can struggle to distinguish between genuine photographs and AI-generated content.
Virat Kohli & Anushka Sharma spotted in the stands supporting Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal at the FIFA World Cup. 🇵🇹🐐 pic.twitter.com/9sYGkuMtJd
— Central Cricket (@arshdeep3444) June 17, 2026
Researchers have warned that deepfake technology and AI-generated images are getting more sophisticated. So viral images of celebrities can’t be considered authentic just because they look realistic.
In recent months, fake images of international sports stars, actors, and politicians have circulated throughout social media and been debunked.
Virat Kohli's Next Cricket Appearance
Kohli's concentration is on cricket. The former India captain is expected to return to action during India's upcoming ODI series against England after missing the recent 50-over matches against Afghanistan because of a hamstring injury sustained during IPL 2026.
Kohli, who has already retired from Test and T20 International cricket, now plays only One Day Internationals for India. The 37-year-old is widely expected to target the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup before making a decision on his future in international cricket.
The viral Portugal match photo may have fooled many fans, but it also illustrates an important lesson for the digital age: for celebrity images on social media—particularly those that appear to be quite convenient or sensational—verification is more critical than ever. In an age of AI that can produce anything, seeing is no longer always believing.
