Portugal team profile - FIFA World Cup 2026
In the build-up to FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA, Canada and Mexico, we shine a spotlight on Portugal.
FIFA World Ranking: 5
Confederation: UEFA
Who is Portugal’s head coach for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Portugal’s head coach for FIFA World Cup 2026 is Roberto Martinez. The former Belgium boss has been in charge of Portugal since January 2023, leading them to the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League title and the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2024. He previously guided the Belgian Red Devils to third-place at FIFA World Cup 2018.
Who is Portugal’s captain for FIFA World Cup 2026?
The inevitable force of Cristiano Ronaldo remains the captain of Portugal and will lead his country again at FIFA World Cup 2026. The Al Nassr forward, who won the Saudi Pro League this season, has over 200 caps and nearly 150 goals for the Selecao, having made his captaincy debut for Portugal all the way back in February 2007.
How many times have Portugal participated in a FIFA World Cup before 2026?
8 – 1966, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022
What is Portugal’s best performance at a FIFA World Cup?
Semi-Final – 1966 (third), 2006 (fourth)
How did Portugal qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Drawn into Group F of UEFA qualification for FIFA World Cup 2026, Portugal finished in top spot, three points ahead of the Republic of Ireland.
Roberto Martinez’s side accumulated a mammoth 20 goals over the course of their six matches and, at times, looked as though they could put together football that may not be matched by any international side, with a 5-0 win in Yerevan against Armenia and a 9-1 thrashing of the same opposition in Porto.
Portugal confirmed their place at FIFA World Cup 2026 on November 16, 2025, the final round of Group F fixtures when they racked up nine vs Armenia. Cristiano Ronaldo ended as joint-top scorer of the group with five goals.
Who are Portugal’s star players?
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr) is of course the standout name from the Portugal squad but the fact is that Roberto Martinez has a squad of players that the whole competition would be and should be envious of.
Since UEFA EURO 2024, Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain) and Joao Neves (Paris Saint-Germain) have formed a simply sublime partnership in the middle of the park for a PSG side that have dominated both domestically and in the UEFA Champions League, winning the competition in 2024-25.
Their other midfielders include Bernardo Silva (Man City), who is coming off the back of a return to top form in the Premier League in what was his final season at the Citizens and Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd), named Football Writers’ Player of the Year in England as he provided a record-breaking number of assists for the red half of Manchester.
At the back, Ruben Dias (Man City) will have lot of work to do at the heart of defence but Portugal’s full-back options are also extremely strong with the likes of Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Matheus Nunes (Man City), Diogo Dalot (Man Utd) and the outstanding Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain).
Who is in Portugal’s group at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Portugal
DR Congo
Uzbekistan
Colombia
Portugal’s Group K fixtures are as follows:
Portugal v DR Congo: Wednesday June 17, 1:00pm ET, 6:00pm UK
Portugal v Uzbekistan: Tuesday June 23, 1:00pm ET, 6:00am UK
Colombia v Portugal: Saturday June 27, 7:30pm ET, 12:30am UK (Sunday)
All kick-off dates are based on a local kick-off time
Where is Portugal’s base camp at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Gardens North County District, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
Expert prediction for Portugal’s chances at FIFA World Cup 2026
Portugal’s midfield is perhaps unrivalled. The balance of Vitinha and Neves being able to dictate the tempo and play, combined with the tenacity and industry of Bernardo Silva as well as the creativity of an in-form Bruno Fernandes is truly mouth-watering.
All of that comes in behind perhaps the greatest goal scorer of all time in Cristiano Ronaldo with Martinez able to choose from the likes of Joao Felix, Francisco Conceicao and Rafael Leao as a supporting member of the cast.
Their full-back options should cover for being ever so slightly late, at least in comparison to their rest of their side, in central defence and concerns may linger over Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa and his ability to make a mistake, despite his general quality, especially when it comes to saving penalties.
Those worries are minor, though, and in the heat, keeping the ball will be key – and there shouldn’t be many, if any teams better than the Iberians at doing just that. Portugal have never won the FIFA World Cup and it would be no surprise if 2026 saw them come the closest they ever have to doing so.
What round will Portugal reach at FIFA World Cup 2026? Runners-Up
