Ronaldo Named in Portugal Squad for Record Sixth World Cup

41-year-old Ronaldo to lead Portugal at 2026 World Cup  

Veteran striker Cristiano Ronaldo headlines Portugal’s 27-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. Portugal will face Chile and Nigeria in friendlies before group games vs DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia.

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Ahead of the tournament, Portugal will play friendlies against Chile and Nigeria...

Cristiano Ronaldo will captain Portugal at the 2026 World Cup after Roberto Martinez included the 41-year-old in his squad announcement on Tuesday.

Now playing for Saudi Arabia’s Al Nassr after spells at Real Madrid and Manchester United, the veteran striker is set to feature at a record sixth World Cup.

Portugal and Ronaldo have never won the World Cup, even though Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in men’s international football with 143 goals.

Ronaldo might come up against his former Barcelona rival Lionel Messi, who is also set to play at a sixth World Cup. Messi led Argentina to the title four years ago in Qatar.

The Portuguese forward avoided a three-match ban despite being sent off for an elbow in the last qualifier against the Republic of Ireland.

Spanish coach Roberto Martinez named a 27-man squad with no major surprises. Ronaldo’s Al Nassr teammate Joao Felix was included.

Paris Saint-Germain players Vitinha, Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, and Goncalo Ramos made the squad. Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes was also selected, along with several Manchester City players including Bernardo Silva.

Ahead of the tournament, Portugal will play friendlies against Chile and Nigeria. Their World Cup campaign starts against DR Congo on June 17th.

Portugal’s Group K matches are against Uzbekistan on June 23rd and Colombia on June 27th.

Portugal's 27-man World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Silva (Sporting), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi)

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Matheus Nunes, Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villareal), Tomas Araujo (Benfica)

Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves, Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (PSG)

Os 𝟮𝟳+𝟭 que levam o 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗵𝗼 𝗠𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮𝗹 para as "Américas" 💭🏆#VaiDarPortugal | @FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/NXZY6EiuOY

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) May 19, 2026