A sixth World Cup appearance. The last dance. Cristiano Ronaldo is the proud owner of an endless catalog of goals and an overflowing trophy cabinet, but the centerpiece is still missing. This will be the last chance for this generation’s greatest goalscorer to crown his legacy with a World Cup victory.
Portugal has always been an enigma at the global event. The nation has always been blessed with players of immense talent, but they have always failed to be greater than the sum of their parts. That will be Roberto Martinez’s biggest task when he takes his team to the North American continent.
The 2025 Nations League winner was drawn in a group with Hungary and Ireland during the qualifiers. A draw against the former at home and a defeat away in Dublin meant the side had to wait until the final matchweek to seal progress, which was achieved with a thumping 9-1 win over Armenia.
Portugal have one of the best midfielders in the tournament in Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Joao Neves. Bernardo Silva, who plays a much deeper role for Manchester City, is often moved to the right wing for his country and that could prove counterproductive as the side’s wingers have not had great seasons at club level. But there is enough pace and guile on the wings to make a big impact from the bench if necessary.
Four years ago in Qatar, Ronaldo found himself sharing duties with Goncalo Ramos at the front of the pitch. The latter has seen his role diminish since Martinez was appointed in 2023, leaving the 226-cap veteran preferred as a centre-forward.
Bruno Fernandes comes to the World Cup at the peak of his powers. | Photo credit: REUTERS
Bruno Fernandes comes to the World Cup at the peak of his powers. | Photo credit: REUTERS
The Selecao das Quinas have been placed in Group K alongside Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan. While passage out of the group stages is expected, the early knockout rounds have been the side’s Achilles heel over the last few tournaments and that is where the side will hope its talisman can lead the way.
Player to watch out for
Bruno Fernandes: Manchester United’s midfield maestro has been at his best this year, breaking the Premier League record for most assists in a single season. If the players around him manage to convert the chances he creates, Portugal will have a chance to go deep in the tournament.
Coach
It’s not often you criticize a manager who has just guided a team to third place in a World Cup, but Martinez’s spell with Belgium felt more like a missed opportunity with a golden generation than an achievement. The Spaniard hasn’t looked too impressive early in his spell with Portugal, but a UEFA Nations League title in 2025 has given the country hope that he could be the man to break the duck.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1)
Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao, Cristiano Ronaldo
TEAM
- Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rui Silva
- Defenders: Rúben Dias, João Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Nuno Mendes, Nélson Semedo, Matheus Nunes, Gonçalo Inacio, Renato Veiga, Tomás Araújo
- Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, João Neves, Rúben Neves, Samú Costa
- Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leão, João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos, Pedro Neto, Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Guedes, Francisco Trincão
World Cup statistics
-
Appearance: 8
-
Best result: third place (1966)
-
FIFA ranking: 5
-
MP: 35
-
W: 17
-
D: 6
-
L: 12
-
GV: 61
-
GA: 41
-
Highest active scorer: Cristiano Ronaldo (143 goals)
Published on June 11, 2026
