Portugal at World Cup 2026: Last chance for Ronaldo and the pain of losing Diogo Jota

Previous World Cup appearances: 8
Best finish: Third place (1966)
First appearance: 1966 (England)
All-time top World Cup scorer: Eusebio (9 goals)
Most appearances: Cristiano Ronaldo (22 matches)
Player to watch: Cristiano Ronaldo
FIFA world ranking: 5

Portugal enters another World Cup with the perennial question about Cristiano Ronaldo and whether the legend and his team can finally capture the only major trophy missing from his career. Even at the 2022 tournament, doubts swirled about whether Portugal would be worse off with the record scorer in the lineup.

Those concerns have hardly diminished four years on, but Ronaldo remains a mainstay in qualifying lineups and is almost certain to start under coach Roberto Martinez if fit. With or without Ronaldo, Portugal – appearing at its seventh consecutive World Cup – still boasts a squad brimming with talent, confidence, and genuine title credentials.

Martinez urges Portugal to ‘fight for Diogo Jota’s dream’

Portugal is still mourning the loss of forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident last summer. His absence will be felt heavily both on and off the pitch. Martinez says he regards Jota as the 'eternal 27th man'.

“The final list has 27 names plus one more. Losing Diogo Jota was an unforgettable and very difficult moment,” Martinez shared. “But the very next day, our responsibility was to fight for Diogo Jota’s dream and for the example he left in the national team. The spirit, the strength, the example of Diogo Jota – the 27th man. He will forever be the 27th man.”

Ronaldo’s final World Cup dance

By now, Ronaldo is not Portugal's 'player to watch' because he is the best – the 41-year-old forward has long declined from elite levels – but because of his overwhelming stature. No one questions CR7's historic stature: he leads Portugal and international football’s all-time scoring charts with an astonishing 143 goals.

But questions about his fitness and discipline remain. He missed friendlies in March with a hamstring injury and was lucky to be available for the World Cup group stage after receiving a red card for violent conduct during a qualifier against Ireland. The usual three-match ban was reduced to one by UEFA, which he has already served.

Ronaldo's recent tournament performances have been poor. He scored just one goal at the 2022 World Cup and none at Euro 2024 despite starting all five matches. Managing his workload in the oppressive summer heat of Houston, Miami and beyond will be a challenge, and tactical concerns persist: Portugal could be more dangerous without the less mobile Ronaldo up front.

But if Ronaldo is fit, it is hard to see Portugal's superstar and captain being dropped from the starting XI, and he will be eager to prove he still has what it takes in his World Cup farewell. He also has other records in his sights: Ronaldo needs two goals to pass Eusebio’s record of nine World Cup goals for Portugal.

“When we talk about Cristiano Ronaldo, we talk about two players,” Martinez said. “We talk about the icon of world football and we talk about the player, our captain, who has the same demands as other players, the competition to be in the national team. Our captain is an example. We want him to continue with the same level of responsibility and leadership in the dressing room.”

World-class midfield

Ronaldo benefits from playing behind a superb midfield line. Bruno Fernandes has rediscovered his form at Manchester United this season with a record 21 assists in the Premier League, operating from his preferred No.10 role. Alongside Vitinha, Joao Neves and Bernardo Silva, Portugal can control most matches, dictate tempo and unlock the tightest defences.

Vitinha is in particularly electrifying form: the PSG man finished third in the 2025 Ballon d'Or and dictates play from deep, while teammate Joao Neves, at just 21, is fast becoming one of Europe's most intelligent midfielders. The pace and trickery of Rafael Leao and Conceicao offer persistent threats out wide, but Leao's fitness and output this season are concerns.

Pressure on Martinez

Many remain unimpressed by Spanish coach Martinez. He appears unwilling or unable to confront Ronaldo when needed, and his record in major tournaments with Portugal and previously Belgium is generally underwhelming. However, Martinez’s side made a big mark with a brilliant display and penalty shootout win over Spain in the 2025 Nations League final.

Martinez has downplayed his side’s chances before the tournament. “I think only national teams that have won the World Cup can be favourites. With the talent and the spirit of our group, we can all dream. We can dream, yes, and be a contender, but not a top favourite.”

What is Portugal’s group like?

They should breeze through Group K, starting their first two matches against relatively weak opponents – DR Congo and World Cup debutants Uzbekistan. The final group game against Colombia, ranked 13th in the world and boasting Luis Diaz, James Rodriguez, and Daniel Munoz, is likely to be a tough test and the battle for top spot.

Portugal’s group-stage fixtures:

• 17 June: Portugal vs DR Congo (Houston, USA), 1pm ET (5pm GMT)
• 23 June: Portugal vs Uzbekistan (Houston, USA), 1pm ET (5pm GMT)
• 27 June: Colombia vs Portugal (Miami, USA), 7:30pm ET (11:30pm GMT)

Al Jazeera's prediction

Quarter-finals. An excellent midfield may ultimately be let down by the defence and attack at some point in the tournament.

Portugal squad for World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi)

Defenders: Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomas Araujo (Benfica)

Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Vitinha (PSG), Joao Neves (PSG), Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Goncalo Ramos (PSG), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Francisco Trincao (Sporting Lisbon)