Portugal are the latest nation to have named their squad for the 2026 World Cup as they look to improve on their quarter-final appearance las time out.
Roberto Martinez will lead his side as they travel to North America to try and win their first ever World Cup. It’s a hugely talented squad that Martinez has named, with Portugal being one of the frontrunners for the tournament. Martinez has named a 27-man squad for the World Cup but will drop one of his goalkeepers, who will only be used for training purposes.
The squad is packed full of players that will be familiar to football fans from across the globe, with Cristiano Ronaldo leading the way. The strength in depth within the Portugal squad is incredibly strong, with Man City trio of Matheus Nunes, Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva and Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot all included.
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Portugal World Cup 2026 squad
| Squad number | Player | Position | Domestic club | International caps | International goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Diogo Costa | GK | Porto (Portugal) | 42 | 0 |
| 12 | Jose Sa | GK | Wolves (England) | 4 | 0 |
| 22 | Rui Silva | GK | Sporting CP (Portugal) | 2 | 0 |
| Ricardo Velho | GK | Gençlerbirliği (Turkey) | 1 | 0 | |
| 3 | Ruben Dias | DF | Man City (England) | 74 | 3 |
| 20 | Joao Cancelo | DF | Barcelona (Spain) | 66 | 12 |
| 2 | Nelson Semedo | DF | Fenerbahce (Turkey) | 48 | 0 |
| 25 | Nuno Mendes | DF | PSG (France) | 43 | 1 |
| 5 | Diogo Dalot | DF | Man Utd (England) | 33 | 3 |
| 14 | Goncalo Inacio | DF | Sporting CP (Portugal) | 20 | 2 |
| 13 | Renato Veiga | DF | Villarreal (Spain) | 11 | 1 |
| 4 | Tomas Araujo | DF | Benfica (Portugal) | 3 | 0 |
| 10 | Bernardo Silva | MF | Man City (England) | 107 | 14 |
| 8 | Bruno Fernandes | MF | Man Utd (England) | 87 | 28 |
| 21 | Ruben Neves | MF | Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia) | 65 | 1 |
| 23 | Vitinha | MF | PSG (France) | 37 | 0 |
| 15 | Joao Neves | MF | PSG (France) | 21 | 3 |
| 6 | Matheus Nunes | MF | Man City (England) | 19 | 2 |
| 16 | Francisco Trincao | MF | Sporting CP (Portugal) | 17 | 3 |
| 24 | Samu Costa | MF | Mallorca (Spain) | 4 | 0 |
| 7 | Cristiano Ronaldo | FW | Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia) | 226 | 143 |
| 11 | Joao Felix | FW | Al-Nassr (Saudi Arabia) | 52 | 12 |
| 17 | Rafael Leao | FW | Milan (Italy) | 43 | 5 |
| 19 | Goncalo Guedes | FW | Real Sociedad (Spain) | 33 | 7 |
| 9 | Goncalo Ramos | FW | PSG (France) | 24 | 10 |
| 18 | Pedro Neto | FW | Chelsea (England) | 23 | 2 |
| 26 | Francisco Conceicao | FW | Juventus (Italy) | 15 | 3 |
Portugal’s 2026 World Cup squad, under the stewardship of Roberto Martinez, presents a formidable blend of seasoned experience and burgeoning talent, poised for a significant impact. Martinez’s tactical philosophy emphasizes controlled possession and flexibility, a strategy well-suited to the diverse skill set within the squad.
At the back, the defensive solidity is anchored by Manchester City’s Reben Dias, a commanding presence, complemented by the attacking impetus of full-backs Joao Cancelo and Nuno Mendes. The emergence of Goncalo Inacio adds further depth and aerial prowess in central defence. Diogo Costa provides a reliable last line of defence, having matured into a top-tier goalkeeper.
The midfield is arguably Portugal’s greatest strength, featuring world-class playmakers Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes. Their creativity, vision, and goal-scoring threat from deeper positions are pivotal to Martinez’s system. Younger talents like Joao Neves and Matheus Nunes offer dynamism and robust ball-winning capabilities, ensuring control and transition speed. This midfield depth allows for tactical adjustments, from a more conservative 4-3-3 to an attacking 4-2-3-1, depending on the opponent.
Up front, the legendary Cristiano Ronaldo remains a central figure, providing invaluable leadership and clinical finishing, even if his role has evolved. He is ably supported by a new generation of attackers such as Rafael Leao, whose blistering pace and dribbling can unlock defences, and Goncalo Ramos, a potent striker with a keen eye for goal. Joao Felix offers creative flair and versatility across the front line. This attacking arsenal, characterized by a mix of elite creativity, vertical pace, and interchangeable profiles, allows Portugal to destabilize various defensive setups.
- Read more: Portugal World Cup 2026 odds
Three players to look out for this summer
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr)
At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo remains a pivotal figure for Portugal in his record-breaking sixth World Cup. While his physical dynamism has naturally waned, his clinical finishing and elite positioning remain world-class, offering a lethal presence in the box. Beyond his on-field contributions, Ronaldo’s primary impact lies in his unparalleled leadership and winning mentality, which serves as a psychological anchor for a younger generation of talents like Rafael Leao and Joao Neves. Whether starting or acting as a high-impact substitute, his presence demands significant defensive attention, creating vital space for teammates and ensuring Portugal possesses a distinct psychological edge throughout the tournament.
Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd)
Bruno Fernandes enters the 2026 World Cup at the peak of his powers, serving as the creative heartbeat of Roberto Martinez’s midfield. His exceptional vision and passing range are essential for transitioning play and unlocking stubborn defences, making him the primary link between the defence and a potent attack. Beyond his playmaking, Fernandes’ relentless work rate and goal-scoring threat from distance provide Portugal with a multi-dimensional edge. As a vocal leader and vice-captain, his ability to dictate the game’s tempo and deliver under pressure will be the decisive factor in Portugal’s quest for global dominance.
Joao Neves (PSG)
At just 21 years old, Joao Neves represents the vanguard of Portugal’s next generation, offering a unique blend of technical elegance and defensive tenacity. Having established himself at Paris Saint-Germain, Neves provides Roberto Martinez with immense tactical flexibility, capable of operating as a deep-lying playmaker or a box-to-box engine. His ability to recover possession and initiate rapid transitions is vital for maintaining Portugal’s high-intensity style. Whether starting alongside veterans or providing energy off the bench, Neves’ composure beyond his years and creative spark make him a potential breakout star and a critical component of Portugal’s midfield depth.
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Portugal World Cup 2026 fixtures
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