Cristiano Ronaldo, aged 41, is set to participate in another FIFA World Cup, marking a historic milestone in his career. His inclusion in Portugal’s squad had never been in serious doubt, with national team head coach Roberto Martínez repeatedly stating that he could not envisage a World Cup squad without Ronaldo.
If he takes part in the tournament, Ronaldo will become the first male footballer in history to feature in six FIFA World Cup finals. Lionel Messi could potentially equal this record if selected for Argentina’s squad.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez has named a 27-man provisional squad. However, FIFA regulations stipulate that final World Cup squads must consist of between 23 and 26 players. As a result, at least one player from the current list will be excluded. In addition, four goalkeepers have been included, although only three are permitted in a final squad, meaning at least one goalkeeper will be dropped.
The squad includes several established international players alongside emerging talents. Prominent figures such as Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, João Neves, and Nuno Mendes are included, reflecting a blend of experience and youth within the selection. Cristiano Ronaldo is also among the forwards named in the squad.
The selection also features notable returns and less experienced players. Gonçalo Guedes, who returned to the national team in March after a four-year absence, has been included. Samu Costa, a defensive midfielder with only four international caps, is also part of the squad.
Several players have been omitted from the selection, including West Ham’s Matheus Fernandes, Benfica defender António Silva, and forwards Paulinho, Pedro Gonçalves, and Ricardo Horta.
Portugal will compete in Group K at the World Cup, alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Before the tournament begins, the team will play two warm-up matches on home soil, facing Chile on 6 June and Nigeria on 10 June.
Portugal Provisional World Cup Squad
| Category | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers | Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rui Silva, Ricardo Velho |
| Defenders | João Cancelo, Matheus Nunes, Nuno Mendes, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Diogo Dalot, Tomás Araújo, Renato Veiga, Nelson Semedo |
| Midfielders | Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, João Neves, Vitinha, Rúben Neves, Samu Costa |
| Forwards | Cristiano Ronaldo, Gonçalo Ramos, Rafael Leão, Francisco Trincão, João Félix, Pedro Neto, Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Guedes |