Portugal are competing at their seventh straight World Cup this summer and Cristiano Ronaldo and the rest of the squad will be going all out to lift the famous trophy. The tournament, which is being hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada will feature more teams than ever before with 48 nations battling for global supremacy. While Portugal are not outright favourites to win the World Cup, Roberto Martínez’s men are certainly part of the conversation.
After two years of qualifying, Portugal will be hoping to make the most of the summer tournament with Ronaldo set to play in his last finals. This article will look back on the country’s road to the World Cup and look back at the key matches and biggest challenges.
Qualifying for the World Cup
Portugal have qualified for a seventh straight World Cup having featured in each tournament since 2002. Interestingly, before the turn of the century, the nation had only reached two finals back in 1966, when Eusébio was the main man, and 1986. Now regulars on the global stage, Portugal are one of the most feared sides in Europe and indeed, on the planet.
In qualifying, Portugal topped the group with 13 points, by winning four, drawing one and losing one of their games. Scoring 20 goals, the team ended on a high, beating Armenia 9-1 as Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes ended the game with four goals to his name. Drawing 2-2 with Hungary, Portugal also lost 2-0 to the Republic of Ireland back in November but had done enough to qualify.
Friendly preparations
Since qualifying for the World Cup, Portugal have been in friendly action in preparation for the tournament. Fans and bettors considering FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Predictions should also take these friendly matches into account, alongside odds and expert analysis. The results recorded in the lead up to the tournament can tell a great deal about where a team is at in terms of form and allow enthusiasts to make more informed betting decisions.
Portugal, back in March, took on one of the co-hosts Mexico and earned a goalless draw before beating the United States, another host, 2-0 on the first day of April. Players then returned to their club sides to play out the domestic campaign and returned to the international set-up in early June. Martínez’s side beat Chile 2-1 and Nigeria by the same scoreline in other morale-boosting wins before the World Cup.
The state of play
Portugal are in Group K at the World Cup where they will take on DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia. While the South Americans have impressed at recent tournaments, Portugal are still favourites to progress by finishing first out of the four sides. This World Cup features more nations than ever before and so it’s important to note that even third-placed teams have the chance to progress to the knockout rounds.
With four groups of 12 competing, the top two countries will go through while eight of the third-best placed teams will also advance. This means that big nations who endure a nightmare start still have the opportunity to get back on track without their World Cup dreams being in tatters.
Can Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal make history?
Much of the talk around Portugal of course includes Cristiano Ronaldo and fans of the superstar are hoping the legend can end what is surely to be his final World Cup with an iconic triumph. The former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward is widely considered one of the greatest players of all-time and lifting the World Cup would enhance his status even further.
Having won the Euros back in 2016, Ronaldo has enjoyed international success but the World Cup is the ultimate in the game. What’s more, CR7 had to watch his old rival Lionel Messi guide Argentina to success in the 2022 tournament and will be eager to write his own World Cup chapter. Now at the age of 40 and playing for Al-Nassr, some football observers wonder whether Ronaldo will start for Portugal but there is no denying his presence and influence will have a giant impact on the side.
Portugal’s important players
It’s little wonder Portugal are talked about when people discuss the nations that could lift the World Cup, just look at the players Roberto Martínez has to choose from. There are older, experienced heads like Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva while Vitinha and Joao Neves, Champions League winners with PSG, ensure Portugal have an extremely bright future and a strong chance of going the distance in 2026.
Overall, Portugal got the job done in World Cup qualifying and will be aiming to prove any doubters wrong by lifting the famous trophy in July. If the team can swiftly acclimatise to the conditions in America, Portugal have a strong chance of reaching the latter rounds.
