Cristiano Ronaldo To Make a Record Sixth FIFA World Cup Tournament Appearance

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Summary

  • Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in the 2026 World Cup squad for Portugal and will embark on a historic sixth tournament appearance at 41 years old
  • Coach Roberto Martinez dedicated the selection to the late Diogo Jota, naming the former forward as an honorary “plus one” for the group following his passing in July 2025
  • The national team will face DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K after warm-up friendlies against Chile and Nigeria in early June

Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, has announced a 27-player squad for the upcoming tournament, with Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old captain, set to appear in his sixth World Cup. Key players like Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva are included, along with four players from Paris Saint-Germain: Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, and Goncalo Ramos. Martinez focused on choosing players who can adapt to the different conditions and time zones in North America, where the tournament will be held.

The team paid a touching tribute to Diogo Jota, the popular forward who tragically passed away in a car accident in July 2025 at just 28 years old. Coach Martinez highlighted that Jota’s memory and inspiration continue to drive the team forward. He’s been officially included as an honorary member of the squad, and the players are determined to achieve the World Cup success he deserved. Portugal, the current Nations League champions, are hoping to win their first ever World Cup title.

The team will begin preparations at a training base in Palm Beach, Florida. Before arriving in the US, they’ll play a friendly match against Chile in Oeiras on June 6th and then face Nigeria in Leiria on June 10th. Coach Martinez has also added Ricardo Velho, a goalkeeper from Genclerbirligi Ankara, as a fourth option. Velho will train with the team but can only be officially added to the roster if one of the main three goalkeepers gets injured during the competition.

Portugal’s Group K play starts June 17th in Houston with a match against DR Congo. They’ll play another game in Houston on June 23rd against Uzbekistan, and then finish the group stage with a game against Colombia in Miami on June 27th. The team features a good balance of experienced players and exciting young talent. Cristiano Ronaldo will be joined in attack by teammates like Joao Felix and Rafael Leao, creating a strong offensive force. This mix of established stars and up-and-coming players suggests Portugal has a deep roster capable of handling a busy summer.

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2026-05-20 11:57