"The final list includes 27 names plus one," Roberto Martinez said, referring to Diogo Jota — the forward who died in a car crash last summer and whose absence Portugal will carry into every game this tournament. That line sets the emotional tone for a squad that arrives in North America grieving, motivated, and genuinely capable of going all the way.
Portugal are ranked fifth in the world for a reason. The midfield alone — Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Joao Neves, Bernardo Silva — is good enough to control most opponents in this tournament. Vitinha finished third in the 2025 Ballon d'Or and operates as the deep-lying conductor of everything Portugal do well. Joao Neves, just 21, is already among the sharpest midfielders in Europe. Fernandes posted 21 Premier League assists this season — a record — and is playing with a clarity of purpose that was missing during his murkier spells at United.
The Ronaldo question never goes away
At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo is no longer Portugal's best player. He scored once at the 2022 World Cup. He scored nothing at Euro 2024, starting all five games. He picked up a red card for violent conduct during qualifying — a three-match ban that UEFA, somehow, reduced to one. He missed Portugal's March friendlies with a hamstring problem.
None of that will stop him from starting if he's fit, and Martinez shows no appetite for making that call differently. "We talk about the icon of world soccer and we talk about the player," Martinez said, which is the kind of answer that doesn't actually answer anything.
The tactical concern is legitimate. Portugal tend to look more dangerous with a mobile striker who can press and combine in tight spaces. Ronaldo doesn't do that anymore. But he does have history to chase — he needs two goals to pass Eusebio's Portugal World Cup record of nine — and his presence in the dressing room still matters even if his legs don't move like they once did.
Group K and the path beyond
Portugal's draw is kind early on. DR Congo and Uzbekistan — the latter making their World Cup debut — should be managed comfortably. Colombia in the final group game is the real test: ranked 13th, with Luis Diaz, James Rodriguez, and Daniel Munoz in their ranks, they won't be rolled over.
Their schedule:
- June 17: Portugal vs DR Congo — Houston, 1pm ET (17:00 GMT)
- June 23: Portugal vs Uzbekistan — Houston, 1pm ET (17:00 GMT)
- June 27: Colombia vs Portugal — Miami, 7:30pm ET (23:30 GMT)
Beyond the group, Portugal's ceiling is genuinely high — and their floor is uncomfortably uncertain. The defence has questions. Rafael Leao's fitness and consistency have been a concern all season. Martinez's big-tournament record at Belgium was underwhelming, and his handling of Ronaldo will define whether this team reaches its potential or quietly exits in the quarters.
They did beat Spain on penalties in the 2025 Nations League final, which is not nothing. Spain are the current world champions. That result matters when assessing whether this squad can handle the pressure of a knockout run.
Martinez, for his part, is keeping expectations measured: "I think only a national team that has already won the World Cup can be a favourite. Considering the talent and the spirit of our group, we all can dream."
Portugal's full squad:
- Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi)
- Defenders: Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomas Araujo (Benfica)
- Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Vitinha (PSG), Joao Neves (PSG), Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca)
- Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Goncalo Ramos (PSG), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Francisco Trincao (Sporting Lisbon)
The midfield is elite. The emotion around Jota will bind the squad. But Portugal have been here before — talented, structured, and ultimately one bad day away from going home early. Whether Martinez and Ronaldo can get out of each other's way long enough to let this team actually perform is the question that will define their tournament.
