Portugal's national team faces a setback with José Sá's departure after his grandfather's death. The goalkeeper was dismissed from the team for the Thursday match against Ireland.

What happened?

José Sá was dismissed after training and will not travel to Ireland, being replaced by under-21 international João Carvalho.

Why is this important for Portugal?

The dismissal of José Sá may affect the team, but João Carvalho is ready to replace him. Portugal's coach, Roberto Martínez, knows he won't be able to count on Bruno Fernandes either.

What's next?

The Dublin match on Thursday is crucial for Portugal. If they win, Portugal will secure the top spot in Group F and direct qualification for the 2026 World Cup. | Date | Opponent | Location | | --- | --- | --- | | Thursday | Ireland | Aviva Stadium, Dublin | | Sunday | Armenia | Estádio do Dragão, Porto | Portugal leads Group F with 10 points, five more than second-placed Hungary.