The countdown to the 2026 World Cup is well underway as the United States, Canada, and Mexico prepare to put on a show next summer with an expanded field of 48 countries jetting over to North America.
Among the many storylines bubbling away ahead of the tournament, one of the biggest questions is whether Cristiano Ronaldo, who turned 41 in February, will compete in what would be a record-breaking sixth World Cup.
We take a closer look at Ronaldo’s international record, current form, Portugal’s qualifying campaign, and the factors that could determine whether the iconic superstar will play at the 2026 World Cup.
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Ronaldo’s International Record
Ronaldo is both the all-time leading goalscorer and leading appearance-maker in men’s international football, having accumulated 143 goals – and counting – in 226 matches since making his Portugal debut back in 2003.
Over the subsequent 20+ years Ronaldo has tormented defences on a global scale, smashing in 10 international hat-tricks, slotting home 22 penalties and 11 free-kicks – including THAT free-kick against Spain – along with 28 headers.
An emotional Ronaldo famously got his hands on the European Championship trophy back in 2016 and has since added two Nations League trophies in 2019 and most recently in 2025, during which he scored in the final and semi-final.
Ronaldo, who has captained his country since 2008, also has a multitude of individual honours and records at the international level, including being the all-time European Championship top goalscorer with 14 goals.
Ronaldo’s World Cup Record
Ronaldo has a trophy cabinet jam-packed with silverware and individual accolades, but the one big trophy that has eluded him is the FIFA World Cup, which was famously lifted by long-time rival Lionel Messi in the most recent edition.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has played in every World Cup since 2006 and is the only player to score at five different World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022). He has eight World Cup goals in 22 matches – all scored in the group stages – which puts him joint-26th on the all-time list with half the tally of leader Miroslav Klose (16).
Portugal’s best finish in the Ronaldo era came in his first World Cup back in 2006 when they reached the semi-finals and placed 4th. Since then, Portugal have only made it as far as the quarter-finals once in the following four tournaments.
That quarter-final run came last time out in 2022 when Portugal suffered a surprise defeat to Morocco. It was a difficult tournament for Ronaldo personally, who was dropped to the bench for both of Portugal’s knockout games and struggled to make an impact.
Ronaldo’s World Cup Numbers
| World Cup | Matches Played | Goals | Stage of Elimination |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 6 | 1 | Semi-Finals |
| 2010 | 4 | 1 | Last-16 |
| 2014 | 3 | 1 | Group Stage |
| 2018 | 4 | 4 | Last-16 |
| 2022 | 5 | 1 | Quarter-Finals |
Will Portugal be at the 2026 World Cup?
Portugal were placed in a favourable qualifying group alongside Armenia, Hungary, and the Republic of Ireland and booked their place with relative ease, winning the group with a three point buffer over Ireland.
They crushed Armenia 5-0 in Yerevan and edged Hungary 3-2 in Budapest, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring twice against Armenia and converting a penalty against Hungary. He scored a further two goals in qualifying taking his total to 41 goals in World Cup qualifiers – another record broken by the Portuguese maestro.
Portugal will appear at the 2026 World Cup and have been placed in Group K alongside Colombia and Uzbekistan. The group will be rounded out by the winner of the IC Path 1, one of New Caledonia, Jamaica or DR Congo.
Ronaldo’s form in 2025
Ronaldo fired blanks at Euro 2024 but has since bounced back in fine fashion. The 40-year-old has been in red-hot form for Portugal in 2025, scoring six goals in six games, including three goals in World Cup qualifying so far.
At club level, he claimed the 2024-25 Golden Boot with Saudi giants Al-Nassr, where he signed a staggering $400 million contract extension in June. By October, reports confirmed he became the first footballer to reach billionaire status.
Ronaldo managed 33 goals and 4 assists in 37 appearances for Al-Nassr in 2025, ending up with a goal contribution every 96 minutes.
Will Ronaldo be going to the World Cup?
So, the big question, will Ronaldo be going to the World Cup?
At this stage, it looks extremely likely. Portugal have qualified for the tournament and it’s hard to see Ronaldo not being in the final squad. He wasn’t named in Roberto Martínez’s squad for the March friendlies against Mexico and the USA but that was due to suspension rather than not being fancied by his head coach.
After a challenging tournament in Qatar and a tough Euro campaign, Ronaldo has made a strong comeback at the international level. The 40-year-old captain has been in sensational form throughout 2025, steadily closing in on that magic 1,000-goal milestone – he’s currently sitting at 965.
When asked about retirement in a recent Canal 11 interview, Ronaldo said:
“I still have a passion for this. My family tells me it’s time to quit and asks why I want to score 1,000 goals when I’ve already scored over 900. But I don’t think that way. I’m still producing good things, helping my club and the national team.
“Why not continue? When I finish, I’ll leave knowing I gave everything. I know I don’t have many years left, but I want to enjoy the ones I have left to the fullest.”
With unmatched hunger and the dream of finally lifting the World Cup, a fairytale ending to his international career could be on the horizon next summer – though who’s to say he’ll hang up the Portugal jersey even then.
