JAKARTA – Portugal’s national football team has officially unveiled its provisional squad for the much-anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup. At the forefront of this illustrious lineup, Al-Nassr’s megastar, Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to lead the Portuguese charge in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. His inclusion underscores his enduring legacy and pivotal role within the national team.
Known universally as CR7, Cristiano Ronaldo features prominently on the preliminary 27-player roster for the 2026 World Cup. The announcement, shared by the Portuguese Football Federation on their X (formerly Twitter) platform on Tuesday, May 19, generated significant excitement among fans worldwide, reaffirming the team’s ambitions for the global spectacle.
Should Ronaldo take to the field in the 2026 World Cup, it would mark an extraordinary sixth appearance in the prestigious tournament throughout his stellar career. This historic achievement would further cement his status as one of football’s all-time greats, building on his previous participations in the 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022 World Cups.
Beyond the iconic figure of Ronaldo, the squad features a host of other key players consistently called upon for Seleção duties. Familiar names like Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Vitinha, Ruben Neves, and Nuno Mendes are all included, promising a formidable blend of experience and talent. However, Coach Roberto Martinez, the former Belgium tactician, made some notable decisions, including the omission of FC Porto wonderkid Rodrigo Mora. Instead, Martinez has allocated a forward slot to Goncalo Guedes, the former Wolverhampton striker who now plies his trade at Real Sociedad.
According to the official Portuguese website, the complete 27-player squad for the 2026 World Cup is as follows:
Goalkeepers
Diogo Costa (Porto)
Jose Sa (Wolves)
Rui Silva (Sporting CP)
Ricardo Velho (Farense)
Defenders
Joao Cancelo (Barcelona)
Matheus Nunes (Manchester City)
Nuno Mendes (PSG)
Ruben Dias (Manchester City)
Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP)
Diogo Dalot (Manchester United)
Tomas Araujo (Benfica)
Renato Veiga (Villarreal)
Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce)
Midfielders
Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Joao Neves (PSG)
Vitinha (PSG)
Ruben Neves (Al Hilal)
Samuel Costa (Mallorca)
Forwards
Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
Goncalo Ramos (PSG)
Rafael Leao (Milan)
Francisco Trincao (Sporting CP)
Joao Felix (Al Nassr)
Pedro Neto (Chelsea)
Francisco Conceicao (Juventus)
Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad)
Summary
Portugal has officially announced its provisional 27-player squad for the highly anticipated 2026 FIFA World Cup. Al-Nassr’s megastar, Cristiano Ronaldo, is set to lead the Portuguese charge, an inclusion that could mark a historic sixth appearance in the prestigious tournament for the iconic player. This announcement by the Portuguese Football Federation on May 19 generated significant global excitement.
Beyond Ronaldo, the squad includes key players such as Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, and Nuno Mendes, showcasing a blend of experience and talent. Coach Roberto Martinez made notable decisions, like omitting Rodrigo Mora in favor of Goncalo Guedes. The comprehensive roster includes a formidable lineup across goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards, poised for the global spectacle.