Fifa World Cup 2026: What you need to know about Portugal
Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal is one of three players set for a record sixth World Cup this summer, along with Argentina's Lionel Messi and Mexico's Guillermo Ochoa.
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Get the lowdown on every team at the 2026 World Cup. Here we take a closer look at one of the tournament favourites, Portugal.
What can I expect from Portugal?
Portugal discovered, external two thirds of the world – is this the summer when they conquer it? "Let us dream. Why not?," said head coach Roberto Martinez in March.
Expectations have been high before but an immensely talented squad has few equals, and belief will soar should they defeat defending champions Argentina in their expected quarter-final.
Only Cristiano Ronaldo remains from the side crowned European champions a decade ago but the current crop beat Spain, on penalties, to the Nations League title last summer.
Regardless of the formation deployed by Martinez, who seems to have settled on 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, the core principle is to control the game by dominating possession.
What are Portugal's strengths?
It's a high-quality squad with depth, balance and plenty of players at their peak in terms of age and form.
A world-class midfield gives them control, creativity and industry, while tactical flexibility is also key: Portugal can create overloads out wide – they averaged the second most crosses per game (22) in European qualifiers – or by flooding central areas, with full-backs or wingers inverting.
And what about their weaknesses?
They lack a dominant centre-back to partner Ruben Dias and are vulnerable when defending set-pieces and crosses, which Hungary and the Republic of Ireland both exploited in the qualifiers.
Defeat in Dublin underlined how Portugal can struggle against a physical side that defends deep.
How might Portugal line up?
Which players should I look out for?
Vitinha has evolved from a Molineux misfit at Wolves to midfield metronome for back-to-back European champions Paris Saint-Germain. The Champions League final man of the match came third in last year's Ballon d'Or.
The accolades keep coming for Bruno Fernandes, who set a Premier League record of 21 assists in a season in 2025-26 and created by far the most chances in the division. The playmaker impressed at the previous World Cup but was lacklustre at Euro 2024.
Aged 41, captain Cristiano Ronaldo holds the men's records for most caps and goals. He and Lionel Messi will become the first men to play in six World Cups – but only Ronaldo has scored in five. However, none of his eight World Cup goals have come in the knockout phase.
In the top five European leagues, Vitinha completed the most passes in the opposition half in 2025-26
Who is Portugal's head coach?
This is Roberto Martinez's third World Cup, having led Belgium to third place in 2018 before leaving the role after their group-stage exit four years ago.
The Spaniard took charge of Portugal in 2023 and is out of contract this summer.
How did Portugal qualify?
They rebounded from an away defeat in Dublin to finish top of the group three days later by beating Armenia 9-1, the second biggest win in their history.
Where can I watch Portugal?
All of Portugal's matches will also be covered live on the BBC Sport website and app with updates, analysis, and fan reaction. Come and be part of it!
Give me a fact to impress my friends
Cristiano Ronaldo spent his childhood in extreme poverty. After moving to Sporting's academy aged 12, he would often ask staff at a nearby McDonald's to give him leftover burgers.
He was expelled from school at 14 for throwing a chair at a teacher.
Now give me some proper detail
Portugal added a 'plus-one' to their World Cup squad, a companion not on the list but embedded in their hearts and memories – the late Diogo Jota.
A hugely popular member of the squad, Jota won his 49th cap in the 2025 Nations League final, which Portugal won on penalties against Spain. It was to be the forward's last match – four weeks later, he died alongside his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in Spain.
The group he left behind "want to honour his memory every day", according to head coach Roberto Martinez. He added: "Diogo Jota's spirit, strength and example are the plus one and will always be the plus one."
Topping the group would mean Portugal play in the round of 32 on the first anniversary of Jota's death. It is bound to be an emotionally-charged World Cup for the team-mates he has left behind, and also the last one, surely, for the most exalted of them all: Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal's captain has the most caps and goals of any male player in history and is the only one to score in five World Cups. The 41-year-old said last November his sixth World Cup would "definitely" be his last, although Martinez hasn't ruled him out of appearing in 2030, when Portugal are co-hosts.
How have Portugal done at previous World Cups?
They have qualified for every World Cup this century. However, despite their recent 'Golden Generation', Portugal have reached the semi-finals just once since 1966.
