Roberto Martinez has unveiled Portugal’s 27-member roster for their preparatory World Cup matches in March, with the principal revelation being the non-inclusion of team captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ronaldo, at 41 years old, incurred a right hamstring issue while competing for Saudi Pro League front-runners Al Nassr on February 28 and has since been receiving medical care in Madrid. He is set to miss both the encounter against Mexico at the refurbished Azteca Stadium on March 28 and the fixture with the United States in Atlanta on March 31.
Martinez promptly moved to alleviate concerns regarding Ronaldo’s World Cup involvement. “No, his participation is not jeopardized,” the manager affirmed when presenting the squad.
“It’s a slight muscular strain, and we anticipate his recovery within a week or two. Everything Cristiano has showcased physically this season indicates he’s in superb condition.”
Guedes’ comeback: the primary addition
With Ronaldo unavailable, attention now shifts to who will spearhead Portugal’s offensive line. Real Sociedad winger Goncalo Guedes rejoins the squad for the first time since 2022, currently in stellar form, having netted nine goals this season.
Martinez further commented: “Guedes is an adaptable footballer. He’s found the net nine times this season and is in outstanding shape. He’s an impactful forward, a player of considerable importance to us.
“I’ve previously stated that for the World Cup, the centre-forward role is reserved for Cristiano and Goncalo Ramos, and we are seeking an attacker with an alternative profile. His current form truly merits a selection. We are highly enthusiastic about what he could contribute to the national side in these exhibition matches.”
Premier League representation
Six players from the Premier League are included in the roster, among them Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes, who has been in brilliant performance this season with seven scores and 16 goal-contributions across 27 domestic league fixtures.
West Ham central player Mateus Fernandes receives his inaugural senior call-up, while Chelsea flank player Pedro Neto and Wolves custodian Jose Sa are likewise selected.
Ronaldo’s Al Nassr club colleague Joao Felix is picked following an impressive campaign in Saudi Arabia, and the PSG trio of Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, and Vitinha, along with Goncalo Ramos, continue to form a key group of the squad playing for French clubs.
This represents Portugal’s concluding preparatory gathering before Martinez must finalize his World Cup roster for the upcoming summer championship in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Portugal is assigned to Group K, alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan, and a play-off victor.
Portugal’s complete squad
Custodians: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Silva (Sporting CP)
Backs: Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Joao Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Antonio Silva (SL Benfica), Tomas Araujo (SL Benfica)
Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Mateus Fernandes (West Ham), Joao Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Rodrigo Mora (FC Porto)
Forwards: Ricardo Horta (SC Braga), Pedro Goncalves (Sporting CP), Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (PSG)
Where to view Portugal at the World Cup
Portugal is still to learn their inaugural group rival, as they await the outcome of the qualification deciders.
They will encounter Uzbekistan and Colombia in their subsequent two fixtures.
June 17: Portugal vs TBC (18:00, BBC)
June 23: Portugal vs Uzbekistan (18:00, ITV)
June 28: Colombia vs Portugal (00:30, BBC)
How to follow the World Cup in the UK: TV, digital broadcast
Supporters are able to digitally broadcast the events through the BBC Sport and ITV online portals, along with the BBC iPlayer and ITVX applications, which are accessible on a wide range of gadgets for viewing remotely.
What are the timings of the World Cup? 2026 dates
The tournament is scheduled from June 11 through to July 19 2026.
Who has secured a spot in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
You can locate the most current compilation of nations that have advanced via FIFA’s official portal.
2026 World Cup pools
Section A
- Mexico
- South Africa
- South Korea
- Play-off victor: Denmark/Czechia/Republic of Ireland/North Macedonia
Section B
- Canada
- Play-off victor: Italy/Wales/Bosnia-Herzegovina/Northern Ireland
- Qatar
- Switzerland
Section C
- Brazil
- Morocco
- Haiti
- Scotland
Section D
- USA
- Paraguay
- Australia
- Play-off victor: Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo
Section E
- Germany
- Curacao
- Ivory Coast
- Ecuador
Section F
- Netherlands
- Japan
- Play-off victor: Ukraine/Sweden/Poland/Albania
- Tunisia
Section G
- Belgium
- Egypt
- Iran
- New Zealand
Section H
- Spain
- Cape Verde
- Saudi Arabia
- Uruguay
Section I
- France
- Senegal
- Play-off victor: Iraq/Bolivia/Suriname
- Norway
Section J
- Argentina
- Algeria
- Austria
- Jordan
Section K
- Portugal
- Play-off victor: DR Congo/Jamaica/New Caledonia
- Uzbekistan
- Colombia
Section L
- England
- Croatia
- Ghana
- Panama
When is the inaugural match of the World Cup?
The inaugural match will present Mexico opposing South Africa on June 11, hosted at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.
Canada will participate in their initial fixture the following day in Toronto, with the United States also commencing their campaign on June 12 against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
When are the qualification deciders?
Six spots at the World Cup remain up for grabs, with four teams from UEFA in addition to two others from the five remaining federations poised to secure berths at the main tournament.
The UEFA qualification deciders and the Inter-confederation eliminators commence with semi-final encounters on March 26. The play-off finals will occur subsequently on March 31, when the participant list will be known.