Ronaldo set for sixth World Cup as Portugal squad named

Roberto Martinez has named his Portugal squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026™.

Captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who has won 226 caps and scored 143 goals – both records – will head to a sixth tournament at the age of 41. Elsewhere, Martinez has called upon Manchester City duo Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva, and Paris Saint-Germain quartet Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Goncalo Ramos and Vitinha. There is, however, no space for Tottenham’s Joao Palhinha, or Benfica defender Antonio Silva.

The squad includes a fourth goalkeeper in the shape of Genclerbirligi stopper Ricardo Velho, taking the player tally to 27, but that will be shaved down to 26 by the submission deadline on 2 June.

Portugal’s squad for the World Cup 2026

Goalkeepers

Diogo Costa
Jose Sa
Rui Silva
Ricardo Velho

Defenders

Tomas Araujo
Joao Cancelo
Diogo Dalot
Ruben Dias
Goncalo Inacio
Nuno Mendes
Matheus Nunes
Nelson Semedo
Renato Veiga

Midfielders

Samuel Costa
Bruno Fernandes
Joao Neves
Ruben Neves
Bernardo Silva
Vitinha

Attackers

Francisco Conceicao
Joao Felix
Goncalo Guedes
Rafael Leao
Pedro Neto
Goncalo Ramos
Cristiano Ronaldo
Francisco Trincao

All squads are provisional until the final list of 26 players is announced by FIFA, following their submission by participating teams, on 2 June.

Ronaldo eyeing further World Cup history

At Qatar 2022, Ronaldo smashed home a penalty in Portugal’s opening match against Ghana to not only help his side to a 3-2 win, but also ensured he became the first player to score at five World Cups.

The superstar forward begun his World Cup odyssey with a spot-kick in victory over IR Iran at Germany 2006, as Portugal reached their first semi-final in 40 years. Goals versus Korea DPR and Ghana over the next two tournaments continued his streak. At Russia 2018, Ronaldo produced his finest World Cup performance, netting a heroic hat-trick in a 3-3 draw with Spain, before scoring a trademark header in victory over Morocco.

Ronaldo will be joined by Lionel Messi in the quest to become the first players to take part in a sixth World Cup. He sits fifth on the all-time appearance list with 22, four off the Argentinian’s record, and has scored eight goals.

Portugal’s World Cup 2026 fixtures and group