Roberto Martínez has named Portugal's squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Cristiano Ronaldo at the centre of attention as the 41-year-old prepares to compete in a record sixth World Cup finals.
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), José Sá (Wolves), Rui Silva (Sporting), Ricardo Velho (Gençlerbirliği)
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahçe), João Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomás Araújo (Benfica)
Midfielders: Rúben Neves (Al-Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), João Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr) 👑, João Félix (Al-Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leão (AC Milan), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG)
"27 players plus one"
Martínez described the squad as "27 players plus one" — a tribute to Diogo Jota ❤️, who passed away in a car accident. "Losing Diogo was an unforgettable and very difficult moment," said the coach. "Diogo Jota's spirit, strength and example are the plus one and will always be the plus one."
Ronaldo makes history
Ronaldo 👑 holds the men's record for international appearances (226) and goals (143). He joins a select group of players — including Lionel Messi — to have played in five World Cups, and will become the first man ever to appear in six. Despite being 41 and playing in Saudi Arabia with Al-Nassr, his place in the squad was never in doubt.
And if Portugal were to go all the way and lift the trophy in July — what a way that would be to write the final chapter of the greatest individual career the game has ever seen.
Key talking points
Tomás Araújo earned his place ahead of Benfica teammate António Silva, while Samu Costa from Mallorca comes in for the absent João Palhinha in midfield. In attack, Gonçalo Guedes gets the nod over Paulinho, Ricardo Horta and Pedro Gonçalves, who all miss out.
Portugal have been drawn into Group K and open their campaign on 17 June against DR Congo in Houston, before facing Uzbekistan on 23 June and Colombia in Miami on 27 June. Ahead of the tournament, they play friendlies against Chile on 6 June and Nigeria on 10 June.
With Ronaldo leading the line, a PSG quartet featuring Vitinha, João Neves, Nuno Mendes and Gonçalo Ramos fresh from the Champions League final, and Bruno Fernandes pulling the strings, Portugal arrive as genuine contenders.
