Cristiano Ronaldo headlines star-studded Portugal squad at FIFA World Cup 2026
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez has announced his 26-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026.
One of the favourites for the tournament in North America this summer, Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has named what is an impressive and star-studded squad that will be captained by the inevitable and still prolific Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Al Nassr forward, who is expected to eventually claim the Saudi Pro League title ahead of Al Hilal this weekend, will lead a very strong Portuguese side that will be favoured to go deep into the tournament.
Aside from the irrepressible goal scoring antics of their talismanic frontman, the strength of this Portugal side is in the middle of the park and Roberto Martinez may well have been presented with an ideal balance.
The versatile and industrious Bernardo Silva appears ideal to compliment the midfield metronomes of Paris Saint-Germain duo Vitinha and Joao Neves, laying a platform for Bruno Fernandes to carry on his fine creative form, having equalled the record for the most assists in a Premier League season with a game to go.
At the back, Portugal also possess even more attacking weapons with the full-back quartet of Matheus Nunes, Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo and Nuno Mendes but, for the first time since 2006, they will not have Pepe in a central defensive role; with Ruben Dias now relied upon alongside one of Goncalo Inacio, Renato Veiga or Tomas Araujo.
Perhaps the most notable exclusion from the squad is that of defensive midfielder Joao Palhinha, with Real Mallorca’s Samu Costa preferred ahead of the Tottenham Hotspur loanee.
Roberto Martinez has named 27 players in this squad but one of those is 27-year-old goalkeeper Ricardo Velho, who is out on loan at Turkish Cup semi-finalists Genclerbirligi from Farense and is expected fairly clearly to be cut as fourth-choice 'keeper behind Diogo Costa, Jose Sa and Rui Silva.
