Portugal

The 2026 FIFA World Cup could be the last chance for Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo to crown his stellar career with the only trophy still missing from his collection.

Read on as we offer a comprehensive guide to Portugal at the World Cup this summer.

Portugal at the 2026 World Cup

• Group: K
• Manager: Roberto Martinez
• Captain: Cristiano Ronaldo
• Best finish: Third place (1966)
• Next match: Portugal vs D.R. Congo

Portugal have been drawn in Group K alongside Colombia (FIFA-ranked 13th), D.R. Congo (46th) and Uzbekistan (50th).

Having progressed into the knockout stages in both previous World Cup appearances this century, La Tricolour are likely to challenge the Selecao for top spot.

While Congo return to the World Cup for the first time since 1974, this will be Uzbekistan’s maiden tournament appearance since the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

If Portugal win the group, they will lock horns with the best third-placed team from Group D/E/I/J/L in the round of 16.

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Portugal Squad

Player	Club	Position	Age	Caps	Goals
Diogo Costa	Porto	Goalkeeper	26	42	0
Jose Sa	Wolverhampton Wanderers	Goalkeeper	33	4	0
Rui Silva	Sporting CP	Goalkeeper	32	2	0
Ricardo Velho	Genclerbirligi	Goalkeeper	27	1	0
Ruben Dias	Manchester City	Defender	29	74	3
Joao Cancelo	Barcelona	Defender	32	66	12
Nelson Semedo	Fenerbahce	Defender	32	48	0
Nuno Mendes	Paris Saint-Germain	Defender	23	43	1
Diogo Dalot	Manchester United	Defender	27	33	3
Goncalo Inacio	Sporting CP	Defender	24	20	2
Matheus Nunes	Manchester City	Defender	27	19	2
Renato Veiga	Villarreal	Defender	22	11	1
Tomas Araujo	Benfica	Defender	24	3	0
Bernardo Silva	Manchester City	Midfielder	31	107	14
Bruno Fernandes	Manchester United	Midfielder	31	87	28
Ruben Neves	Al-Hilal	Midfielder	29	65	1
Vitinha	Paris Saint-Germain	Midfielder	26	37	0
Joao Neves	Paris Saint-Germain	Midfielder	21	21	3
Samu Costa	Mallorca	Midfielder	25	4	0
Cristiano Ronaldo	Al-Nassr	Forward	41	226	143
Joao Felix	Al-Nassr	Forward	26	52	12
Rafael Leao	AC Milan	Forward	26	43	5
Goncalo Guedes	Real Sociedad	Forward	29	33	7
Pedro Neto	Chelsea	Forward	26	23	2
Francisco Trincao	Sporting CP	Forward	26	17	3
Francisco Conceicao	Juventus	Forward	23	15	3

Strongest XI / Predicted Line-up

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Portugal Manager

Portugal’s decision to replace long-serving manager Fernando Santos with Roberto Martinez after the 2022 World Cup heartbreak was met with mixed reactions due to the latter’s disappointing results with Belgium.

Despite being in charge of De Rode Duivels’ golden generation, the former Everton manager failed to win a major international trophy, falling short in several tournaments.

Martinez’s last World Cup campaign ended in the group stage, but he will be confident of improving this summer after a solid qualifying campaign in which Portugal won four of their six Group F fixtures.

Another group-stage elimination would be a disaster for both Portugal and their 52-year-old tactician, who will be under significant pressure to translate their talent-laden squad into genuine tournament success.

Tournament Stats

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Route to the Final

If Portugal win their group:

• Round of 32: Friday, July 3: Portugal vs Third-placed Group D/E/I/J/L
• Round of 16: Tuesday, July 7: Portugal vs Group B winners/Group E/F/G/I/J 3rd-placed team
• Quarter-final: Saturday, July 11: Portugal vs Argentina
• Semi-final: Wednesday, July 15: Portugal vs England
• Final: Sunday, July 19: Portugal vs France

If Portugal are group runners-up:

• Round of 32: Thursday, July 2: Portugal vs Group L runners-up
• Round of 16: Monday, July 6: Portugal vs Spain
• Quarter-final: Friday, July 10: Portugal vs Belgium
• Semi-final: Tuesday, July 14: Portugal vs France
• Final: Sunday, July 19: Portugal vs Argentina

Key Players

Ruben Dias

Though Dias has endured an injury-hit end to the 2025/26 club season, he should be one of Martinez’s key defensive pillars in North America.

If there’s a player within this squad capable of matching Pepe’s quality and aggressiveness, it’s the Manchester City centre-back.

Vitinha

There is now little doubt that the Paris Saint-Germain talisman ranks among the world’s best deep-lying playmakers, if not the very best in his position.

Vitinha’s ability to create chances out of thin air and retain possession in tight spaces makes him uniquely qualified to orchestrate Portugal’s build-up play.

Bruno Fernandes

Speaking of creativity, Fernandes has once again been central to Manchester United’s attacking play, registering 19 Premier League assists this season and underlining his status as one of Europe’s most productive playmakers.

His vision, set-piece quality and ability to unlock compact defences make him a vital creative force for Martinez’s tactical set-up.

Rafael Leao

Unlike his international colleagues, Leao has had a season to forget and could part ways with AC Milan at the end of the season, with several Premier League clubs reportedly vying for his signature.

With that in mind, the 26-year-old could use this summer’s tournament as a launchpad to revive his form and convince potential suitors that he remains one of the most explosive wingers in world football.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Ronaldo has nothing left to prove to anyone but himself. However, the veteran superstar will still be driven by the desire to defy time, add to his illustrious international legacy and finally conquer his final peak.

Eager to match Lionel Messi’s 2022 feat, the 41-year-old gears up for what is likely to be his last World Cup, hoping to take home the trophy his heart most desires.

Portugal Match Hub

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World Cup all-time top scorers
World Cup host stadiums & cities

Portugal World Cup History

Portugal made their World Cup debut at ‘England 1966,’ beating West Germany in the third-place play-off. However, they’ve since reached the semi-finals only once.

Morocco denied them a place in the final four in 2022, ending their most recent deep run at the quarter-final stage.

Perhaps their first appearance in the United States could offer a fresh start, especially after they failed to qualify for the 1994 edition.

On the other hand, a return to Mexico could stir painful memories, with the Iberian nation bowing out of the 1986 tournament in the group stages.

Year	Round	P	W	D	L	F	A
1930	Did not enter
1934	Did not qualify
1938	Did not qualify
1950	Did not qualify
1954	Did not qualify
1958	Did not qualify
1962	Did not qualify
1966	Third place	6	5	0	1	17	8
1970	Did not qualify
1974	Did not qualify
1978	Did not qualify
1982	Did not qualify
1986	Group stage	3	1	0	2	2	4
1990	Did not qualify
1994	Did not qualify
1998	Did not qualify
2002	Group stage	3	1	0	2	6	4
2006	Fourth place	7	4	1	2	7	5
2010	Round of 16	4	1	2	1	7	1
2014	Group stage	3	1	1	1	4	7
2018	Round of 16	4	1	2	1	6	6
2022	Quarter-finals	5	3	0	2	12	8

FAQs

Has Portugal won the World Cup?

No. Portugal’s best World Cup result came in 1966, when they finished third.

Who is the Portugal manager?

Roberto Martinez. He had previously managed several English clubs, including Everton, and the Belgium national football team.

How did Portugal fare in the last World Cup?

Portugal reached the quarter-final in 2022. Surprise package Morocco beat them 1-0.

Who has made the most appearances for Portugal?

Cristiano Ronaldo. He has won 226 caps since making his senior debut in 2003.

Who has scored the most goals for Portugal?

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 143 goals for the Selecao, almost 100 more than any other Portugal international.