Number of past World Cup appearances: 8
Highest result: 3rd place (1966)
First appearance: 1966 (UK)
Top scorer: Eusebio (9)
Most appearances: Cristiano Ronaldo (22)
Player to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo
FIFA World Ranking: 5th place
Portugal head into yet another tournament dominated by the issue of Cristiano Ronaldo and whether the veteran and his team can finally win the big trophy that eluded them at the last World Cup.
Recommended stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
Even in the 2022 edition, there were many questions about whether Portugal, which has a record scorer in its lineup, would be inferior.
In the intervening four years, those concerns have remained largely unresolved, but Ronaldo has performed outstandingly in qualifying and looks certain to start under manager Roberto Martinez once he is fit.
This Portuguese team, which has played in seven consecutive World Cups with or without Ronaldo, is rich in talent, led by confidence and a genuine contender to lift the trophy.
Martínez urges Portugal to ‘fight for Diogo Jota’s dream’
Portugal are still mourning the loss of forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident last summer. His absence will be keenly felt both on and off the pitch.
Martinez paid tribute to the player, saying he considers Jota his “forever plus one”.
“The final list includes 27 names plus one name,” Martinez said.
“Losing Diogo Jota was an unforgettable and extremely difficult moment.
“But the next day it was up to all of us to fight for Diogo Jota’s dream and for the example that he was in the national team. The spirit, the strength, the example of Diogo Jota, the plus one. He will forever be the plus one.”
Ronaldo’s last dance at the World Cup
Ronaldo is Portugal’s ‘hot player’ at the moment, not because he is the best player, but rather because of his extraordinary status – the 41-year-old striker has long been a shadow at elite level.
No one doubts the historical greatness of the CR7. He tops the all-time goalscoring list in Portuguese and international football with an astonishing 143 goals.
However, there are many questions about his fitness and discipline. He missed the friendly against Portugal in March due to a hamstring problem, but was fortunate to be able to play for Portugal in the group stage after receiving a red card for violent conduct in a qualifying match against Ireland. The typical three-match suspension for such behavior was mysteriously reduced to one by UEFA, of which the player is now president.
His recent performances in major tournaments have been poor. He scored just one goal at the 2022 World Cup and failed to score at all at Euro 2024, despite starting all five games.
His workload will be difficult to manage in the sweltering summer heat of places like Houston and Miami, and there are also tactical concerns – Portugal could look more dangerous without the less mobile Ronaldo up front.
However, if Ronaldo stays healthy, it is unthinkable how the great Portuguese captain will be left out and he will relish the opportunity to show he still has what it takes during the World Cup craze. He is also aiming for more records. Ronaldo needs two more goals to surpass Eusebio’s Portugal World Cup record of nine goals.
“When we talk about Cristiano Ronaldo, we talk about two players,” Martinez said.
“We talk about an icon in world football and we also talk about a captain, a player who has the same demands as other players and is competitive in his national team. Our captain is an example of that. We hope he continues to exhibit the same level of responsibility and leadership within the locker room.”
elite midfield
Ronaldo has the advantage of playing in front of a top-quality midfield. Bruno Fernandes has rediscovered his form at Manchester United this season, registering a Premier League record 21 assists and returning to his favorite No. 10 role.
With the likes of Vitinha, Joao Neves and Bernardo Silva playing alongside Fernandes, Portugal are able to control most games, dictate the tempo and unravel the most dire defences.
Vicinha, in particular, has found form in life as a PSG player who finished third in the 2025 Ballon d’Or and is pulling the strings from a deep role, while clubmate Joao Neves is only 21 and fast becoming one of the smartest midfielders in European football.
But while the pace and trickery of Rafael Leao and Conceição provide a consistent threat to the side, the former’s fitness and output have been a concern this season.
Martinez under pressure
Many are still unconvinced by Portugal’s Spanish coach Martinez. He doesn’t seem to have the desire or ability to stand up to Ronaldo when needed, and his tenures in big tournaments in Portugal and previously Belgium have generally been underwhelming.
However, Martínez’s side made their presence felt in the 2025 Nations League final with a great performance and penalty shootout victory against a phenomenal Spanish team.
Martinez destroyed his team’s chances before the tournament.
“I think only national teams that have already won the World Cup can be favorites,” he said.
“Given the talent and spirit of our group, all of us can dream. Of course you can dream and you can be a candidate, but you can’t be a favorite.”
What about the Portuguese group?
Playing in their first World Cup, they should be well on their way out of Group K, with their first two games against relatively minor opponents in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uzbekistan.
The final group game against Colombia, who boasts 13th place in talent and technique with the likes of Luis Diaz, James Rodriguez and Daniel Muñoz, will likely be a tough test and a play-off for the top spot.
Portugal group stage matches and kick-off times:
⚽ June 17: Portugal vs DR Congo (Houston, USA), 1pm ET (17:00 GMT)
⚽ June 23: Portugal vs Uzbekistan (Houston, USA), 1pm ET (17:00 GMT)
⚽ June 27: Colombia vs. Portugal (Miami, USA), 7:30 PM ET (23:30 GMT)
Al Jazeera predictions
Quarterfinals.
The exceptional midfielder is likely to fail in defense and attack at some point during the tournament.
Portugal’s World Cup full squad
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Ricardo Velho (Genclair Virlisi)
Defenders: Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Gonzalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomas Araujo (Benfica).
Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Vicinha (PSG), Joao Neves (PSG), Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Sam Costa (Mallorca)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nasr), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Joao Felix (Al Nasr), Gonzalo Ramos (PSG), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Gonzalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Francisco Trincao (Sporting Lisbon).
