Ronaldo named in Portugal squad for 2026 World Cup as he prepares for record sixth tournament

Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in Portugal’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is preparing for the sixth World Cup of his career. National team head coach Roberto Martinez announced the squad for the tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico. For the 41-year-old Al Nassr forward, this World Cup, according to his own words, is expected to be his last.

Ronaldo is already the all-time leading goalscorer in men’s international football, with 143 goals for Portugal. However, the biggest trophy in world football has still eluded him. Portugal have also never won the World Cup, which makes the 2026 tournament potentially special for this team.

The average age of Portugal’s squad is 28. Ronaldo, now 41, is the oldest player in the team. The total transfer value of the squad is estimated at €968 million, while the most valuable players are Vitinha and Joao Neves, each valued at €110 million.

Several stars of European football have been included in Portugal’s squad. In addition to Ronaldo, Martinez has called up his Al Nassr teammate Joao Felix, midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva, defenders Ruben Dias, Nuno Mendes and Joao Cancelo, as well as attacking players Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto, Goncalo Ramos and Francisco Conceicao.

The PSG group looks particularly strong, with Vitinha, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes and Goncalo Ramos all included in the squad. This group is expected to be one of the key parts of Martinez’s team, which heads to the World Cup as one of the contenders for a strong finish.

At the same time, the squad was not without notable absentees. Joao Palhinha, Antonio Silva, Pedro Goncalves, Nuno Tavares and Paulinho were not included.

Martinez also explained that he does not plan to give Ronaldo a special regime solely because of his age. According to the coach, at the World Cup players are not always defined by their club form or age-related indicators — what matters most is their readiness for the specific tournament.

The memory of Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July 2025, was also a separate topic. Martinez noted that Jota’s spirit, strength and example remain with the team, calling him Portugal’s symbolic “plus one”.

Before the start of the World Cup, Portugal will play friendly matches against Chile and Nigeria. In the group stage, Martinez’s team will compete in Group K against DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia. Portugal will play their opening match on June 17 against DR Congo, then face Uzbekistan on June 23, before finishing the group stage against Colombia on June 27.

For Ronaldo, this tournament will be another attempt to win the only major trophy still missing from his outstanding career. For Portugal, the 2026 World Cup could be a chance to turn a star-studded squad into a historic result.

Portugal’s full squad for the 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers
Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton, England), Rui Silva (Sporting), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi, Turkey).

Defenders
Diogo Dalot (Manchester United, England), Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias (both Manchester City, England), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona, Spain), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villarreal, Spain), Tomas Araujo (Benfica).

Midfielders
Ruben Neves (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Samu Costa (Mallorca, Spain), Joao Neves, Vitinha (both Paris Saint-Germain, France), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, England), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, England).

Forwards
Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix (both Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia), Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus, Italy), Pedro Neto (Chelsea, England), Rafael Leao (Milan, Italy), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad, Spain), Goncalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain, France).