Portugal at the World Cup 2026
Portugal arrive at the 2026 World Cup with the most-decorated international career in football history reaching its final tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo, the 41-year-old Al-Nassr captain, becomes the only outfield player in football history alongside Lionel Messi to feature at six men's World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026). He has 138 international goals — the most by any male player in football history — and remains the focal point of a Portugal side that has otherwise quietly built one of the deepest squads in the tournament.
Roberto Martínez, the 52-year-old Spanish coach appointed in January 2023 after Fernando Santos, has built a 4-3-3 with three Manchester City alumni at the spine (Rúben Dias at CB, Bernardo Silva creating, João Cancelo at right-back) plus Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) and Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) interchanging in the No. 10 and right-side roles. Vitinha (PSG, 2025 Champions League winner) and João Neves (also PSG) anchor midfield — the most press-resistant midfield pair Portugal has had in any World Cup cycle.
Rafael Leão (AC Milan), at 26, provides direct dribbling from the left side. Nuno Mendes (PSG, 2025 Champions League winner) at left-back is the best-progressing defender in the squad. António Silva (Benfica) partners Rúben Dias in central defence. The depth at every position is competitive: Diogo Jota, João Félix, and Pedro Neto all on the bench.
Portugal are based at NRG Stadium in Houston for the group stage — the same venue as Germany's group matches. Their group K opener against DR Congo on 17 June is one of the most evocative pairings of the tournament: DR Congo (then Zaire) last appeared at the 1974 World Cup, 52 years ago. The squad will be tested but Portugal are heavy group favourites.
Outright odds — Portugal to win World Cup 2026
Group K fixtures
All three group-stage matches for Portugal at World Cup 2026 with current odds from our partner books.
Squad & predicted XI
Diogo Costa · Cancelo, Rúben Dias, António Silva, Nuno Mendes · Bruno Fernandes, João Neves, Vitinha · Bernardo Silva, Ronaldo (c), Leão
Formation: 4-3-3 · Coach: Roberto Martínez
| Player | Position | Club | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Forward (captain) | Al-Nassr | 215 | 138 |
| Bruno Fernandes | Attacking midfielder | Manchester United | 78 | 27 |
| Bernardo Silva | Attacking midfielder | Manchester City | 98 | 13 |
| Rúben Dias | Centre-back | Manchester City | 61 | 2 |
| Vitinha | Central midfielder | Paris Saint-Germain | 37 | 1 |
| João Neves | Defensive midfielder | Paris Saint-Germain | 20 | 0 |
| Rafael Leão | Left winger | AC Milan | 33 | 4 |
| Nuno Mendes | Left-back | Paris Saint-Germain | 30 | 2 |
| João Cancelo | Right-back | Al-Hilal | 56 | 10 |
| Diogo Costa | Goalkeeper | Porto | 33 | 0 |
How Portugal qualified for World Cup 2026
Portugal qualified for the 2026 World Cup via UEFA Group F, winning six of their eight matches with two draws. Key results included a 5-0 win over Liechtenstein, 3-0 over Iceland in Lisbon, and a 1-0 win over Slovakia in Bratislava — Ronaldo scored four times in qualifying and is the all-time top scorer of UEFA World Cup qualifying with 41 goals.
Prior to qualifying, Portugal had a difficult Euro 2024 — they were eliminated in the quarter-finals by France on penalties after a 0-0 draw, with Ronaldo's Euro 2024 record showing zero goals across the tournament. The squad was rebuilt around Vitinha and João Neves at midfield after Rúben Neves left for Saudi Arabia.
In March 2026 friendlies, Portugal beat Sweden 3-0 in Stockholm (Ronaldo hat-trick), drew 1-1 with the Netherlands in Lisbon, and lost 1-0 to Spain at the Santiago Bernabéu (Pedri's free-kick). The form is solid and the squad is healthy going into the tournament.
World Cup history
Portugal have never won the World Cup. Their best finish was third place at England 1966, when Eusébio scored nine goals across the tournament (a record at the time) and Portugal lost the semi-final 2-1 to England before beating the USSR in the third-place play-off. Portugal famously won Euro 2016 in France (their first major trophy) and UEFA Nations League 2019 and 2025.
| Year | Host | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Qatar | Quarter-finals (lost to Morocco 1-0) |
| 2018 | Russia | Round of 16 (lost to Uruguay 2-1) |
| 2014 | Brazil | Group stage exit |
| 2010 | South Africa | Round of 16 (lost to Spain 1-0) |
| 2006 | Germany | 4th place (lost SF to France, then 3-1 to Germany) |
| 2002 | Japan/South Korea | Group stage exit |
| 1986 | Mexico | Group stage exit |
| 1966 | England | Third place (Eusébio top scorer with 9 goals) |
| Player | Position | Club | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | All-time top scorer (active captain) | Al-Nassr | 215 | 138 |
| Pauleta | Striker (1997-2006) | Retired | 88 | 47 |
| Eusébio | Forward (1961-1973) | Retired | 64 | 41 |
| Luís Figo | Right winger (1991-2006) | Retired | 127 | 32 |
| Nuno Gomes | Striker (1996-2011) | Retired | 79 | 29 |
| João Moutinho | Midfielder (most-capped after Ronaldo) | Retired | 146 | 9 |
FAQ
Is this Cristiano Ronaldo's last World Cup?
Yes — almost certainly. Ronaldo is 41 years old at this tournament. He has publicly stated this will be his sixth and final World Cup. He becomes one of only two outfield players in football history to feature at six men's World Cups, alongside Lionel Messi. He plays his club football at Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, where he has been since 2023.
Who is Portugal's coach at the 2026 World Cup?
Roberto Martínez, the 52-year-old Spanish coach appointed in January 2023 after Fernando Santos's departure following the Qatar 2022 quarter-final exit. Martínez previously managed Belgium (2016-2022, leading them to third place at Russia 2018), Everton, and Wigan Athletic (FA Cup winner 2013). This is his second tournament with Portugal after the Euro 2024 quarter-final exit.
What group is Portugal in at the World Cup 2026?
Portugal is in Group K alongside DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. Their opening match against DR Congo at NRG Stadium on 17 June is the venue's third match of the tournament. The Group K final group match against Colombia at MetLife is the most anticipated fixture in the group.
How many international goals has Cristiano Ronaldo scored?
138 international goals — the most by any male player in football history. The previous record was held by Ali Daei of Iran with 109 international goals. Ronaldo also holds the European Championship goal-scoring record with 14 goals across five Euros.
What are the odds on Portugal to win World Cup 2026?
Portugal are at consensus outright odds around 11.0 — fifth or sixth favourites. The market reflects squad depth but concerns about Ronaldo's age at 41 and Portugal's structural inability to convert tournament chances despite consistent qualifying form. They have never reached a World Cup final.