Cristiano Ronaldo will play in his sixth World Cup for Portugal. The 41-year-old forward has been named by manager Roberto Martínez in the final 26-man squad for the 2026 tournament.
The call-up comes after a season where Ronaldo missed matches for both Al-Nassr and the national team due to knee issues. Despite this, Martínez is counting on the captain as a key part of the team's attack. Portugal, currently 2nd in the qualifying group with 5 points, aims to advance from Group K, where they will face DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia.
A Seleção das Quinas heads to the World Cup after an inconsistent run. In their last five matches, they have recorded two wins, one draw, and two losses, including a 1-0 defeat to Spain on July 6th. Overall in qualifying, they have scored 6 goals and conceded just one, maintaining a +5 goal difference.
This participation will allow Cristiano Ronaldo to match a historic milestone. He and Lionel Messi could become the first male players to appear in six World Cup tournaments. For Ronaldo, who made his World Cup debut in 2006, this will be his final tournament. His best finish with Portugal was in that 2006 edition, when the team reached the semi-finals. Lifting the trophy remains the major missing piece in his collection.
Portugal enters the North American World Cup with clear ambitions. The team aims not only to handle the group stage but also to mount a serious challenge in the knockout rounds. The squad, which can be viewed on our squad page, blends Ronaldo's experience with a new generation of talent. Bruno Fernandes has already expressed the collective desire. "Wrapping up all this last World Cup with Cristiano winning it would be something amazing," the midfielder said.
The path won't be easy, with Colombia currently leading the qualifying group by two points over Portugal. Defensive solidity, evidenced by their qualifying numbers, will be key. The team must improve on its recent form, which includes two consecutive losses, to dream of the title. All information on the group standings is available in our standings section.
Ronaldo's selection ends any doubt about his role in Martínez's 2026 project. At 41, the captain prepares for another historic chapter, aiming to lead Portugal to the top of the world in his final act on the global stage.
