Ronaldo Set for Record Sixth World Cup; Portugal Honors Diogo Jota with Special Squad Slot
Al Jazeera English
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has named a 27-man preliminary squad for the 2026 World Cup, with Cristiano Ronaldo poised to make history at age 41 by appearing in his sixth tournament. The team has also reserved a symbolic "plus one" slot in memory of late forward Diogo Jota.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez announced a 27-man squad for the 2026 World Cup on May 19, with Cristiano Ronaldo set to become the first player to feature in six editions at the age of 41. In a poignant move, the team has reserved a symbolic “plus one” slot in honor of striker Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident last July at 28.
“He was our strength, our joy. Losing Diogo was an unforgettable and very difficult moment, but the very next day we all had to fight for Diogo’s dream and for the example he always set in the national team. His spirit, strength and legacy are that +1 and will always be the +1,” Martinez said during a press conference at Cidade do Futebol.
Portugal officially registered 27 players, though FIFA allows a maximum of 26 per match. Fourth-choice goalkeeper Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi Ankara) will travel with the squad but can only be added to the final 23 if one of the three registered goalkeepers suffers an injury.
The reigning Nations League champions open their Group K campaign in the tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada against DR Congo on June 17 in Houston. They then face Uzbekistan at the same venue on June 23 before wrapping up the group stage against Colombia in Miami on June 27. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19.
Martinez defended his decision to call up four goalkeepers and five full-backs, while leaving out players such as Mateus Fernandes, Ricardo Horta and Pedro Goncalves. “The complexity of the tournament is significant – the weather demands, time zones, everything we experienced in March. There are positions where we need more than two players per spot. And we need five full-backs,” he said.
The coach highlighted the versatility of Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo and Matheus Nunes, and noted that attacking options like Joao Felix, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Francisco Trincao can operate between the lines, with Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao providing width.
Velho understands his role as a training goalkeeper, and FIFA only permits replacements in case of injury during the tournament.
Before the World Cup, Portugal will play friendlies against Chile in Oeiras on June 6 and Nigeria in Leiria on June 10. FIFA regulations require the team to be at its training camp in Palm Beach, Florida at least five days before the opening match.
Portugal squad for the 2026 World Cup:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting CP); Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi Ankara);
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United); Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce SK), Joao Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal); Ruben Dias (Manchester City); Tomas Araujo (SL Benfica);
Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samuel Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City);
Forwards: Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (PSG); Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr).
