Veteran striker Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make a historic sixth World Cup appearance after being named in Portugal's squad for the 2026 tournament on Tuesday.
Head coach Roberto Martínez selected the 41-year-old Al-Nassr forward to lead a 27-man squad that also included a heartbreaking tribute to the late Diogo Jota. The 28-year-old forward, who tragically died in a car crash in Spain last July, was named by Martínez as the team's "plus one forever."
"To lose Diogo Jota was an unforgettable and difficult moment," Martínez said during the announcement. "But it is a responsibility for all of us to fight for his dream. The spirit and strength of Diogo is our plus one forever."
Ronaldo, the all-time leading men's international goalscorer with 143 goals in 226 appearances, will likely make his final attempt to win football's most coveted trophy. He is set to join his long-time rival, Argentina's Lionel Messi, as the first men to play in six World Cups.
"He is an icon of world soccer and our captain," Martínez said of Ronaldo. "We want him to continue with the exact same level of responsibility and leadership inside the locker room."
Portugal will compete in Group K alongside DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. They will kick off their campaign against DR Congo on June 17 in Houston. Prior to traveling to the United States, Portugal will play warmup friendlies against Chile (June 6) and Nigeria (June 10).
Despite winning the 2025 Nations League, Martínez downplayed expectations, stating that only previous World Cup winners should be labeled "favorites." However, he added, "Considering the talent and the spirit of our group, we all can dream and be a strong candidate."
Portugal's 2026 World Cup Squad:
• Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rui Silva, Ricardo Velho (reserve)
• 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
• Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leão, João Félix, Gonçalo Ramos, Pedro Neto, Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Guedes, Francisco Trincão
