With the FIFA World Cup 2026 just weeks away, Portugal announced their squad for the high stakes tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the squad for what most certainly is his last World Cup.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner is set to make a record sixth World Cup appearance. Argentine great Lionel Messi, whose side won the last edition of the tournament, and Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa will also appear in this edition of the World Cup.
The 41-year-old will arrive in North America backed by a talented squad as Portugal make their attempt for their maiden trophy. Key players in the squad include Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and AC Milan star Rafael Leao. The side also boasts the likes of Bernardo Silva, Vitinha and João Cancelo. Unlike most other squads, Portugal's roster lists an extra goalkeeper.
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The reigning UEFA Nations League champions are in Group K with Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uzbekistan.
Portugal will play their first game on June 17 against the DRC in Houston, Texas. Their next fixture will be against Uzbekistan at the same venue on June 23. The squad will play their final group fixture against Colombia on June 27 at Florida's Miami Gardens.
In a recent interview, Portugal manager Roberto Martinez said that the side's capabilities and Ronaldo's impressive momentum count for little in the extended 48-team edition of the FIFA World Cup. "We're talking about going into the unknown," he said. "Forty-eight teams means a longer period. You need to have incredible resilience... You don't prepare for iconic moments — you prepare the team to perform under any circumstances,” he explained, as per Reuters.
Portugal are set to make their seventh successive bid for the title. Their best finish till date has been a third place appearance in 1996.
Portugal's World Cup Squad
- Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting CP); Ricardo Velho (Gençlerbirliği Ankara)
- Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United); Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Nélson Semedo (Fenerbahce SK), João Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal); Rúben Dias (Manchester City); Tomás Araújo (SL Benfica)
- Midfielders: Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Samuel Costa (Mallorca), João Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
- Forwards: João Félix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG); Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
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