Cristiano Ronaldo Set for Historic Sixth FIFA World Cup Appearance

Cristiano Ronaldo is gearing up for an unprecedented sixth FIFA World Cup appearance at the age of 41. Portugal's coach, Roberto Martinez, has named him in a 27-man squad, which includes a tribute to the late Diogo Jota. The team will kick off their campaign against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 17. With a mix of seasoned players and fresh talent, Portugal aims to honor Jota's legacy while competing for glory. The squad's preparation includes warm-up matches against Chile and Nigeria before heading to Florida for training. Discover more about Portugal's lineup and their World Cup journey ahead.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 20, 2026, 02:05 IST

Ronaldo's Remarkable Return to the World Stage

Lisbon, Portugal - Cristiano Ronaldo, the iconic football star, is poised to make history by participating in his sixth FIFA World Cup at the age of 41. Portugal's head coach, Roberto Martinez, has included him in a 27-man squad for the upcoming tournament, which also pays tribute to the late Diogo Jota with a symbolic 'plus one'.

During a press conference at the Cidade do Futebol, Martinez announced that fourth-choice goalkeeper Ricardo Velho, currently with Genclerbirligi Ankara, will accompany the team. However, he can only be added to the official 26-man roster if one of the three primary goalkeepers sustains an injury.

As the reigning Nations League champions, Portugal will kick off their Group K journey in Houston against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 17. They will then face Uzbekistan at the same venue on June 23, concluding the group stage against Colombia in Miami on June 27. The tournament is scheduled from June 11 to July 19.

Martinez referred to his selection as '27 players plus one', honoring Jota, who tragically passed away in a car accident last July at the young age of 28. 'He is our strength, our joy,' Martinez expressed, emphasizing the importance of carrying Jota's spirit into the tournament. 'Losing Diogo was an unforgettable and very difficult moment, but we must fight for his dream and the example he set for our national team.'

The coach justified his choice of four goalkeepers and five fullbacks, despite leaving out notable players such as Mateus Fernandes, Ricardo Horta, and Pedro Goncalves. 'The complexity of the tournament is crucial – considering the weather, time zone, and experiences from March,' Martinez explained. 'We need to ensure we have more than two players per position, especially with five fullbacks.'

Portugal will engage in warm-up matches against Chile in Oeiras on June 6 and Nigeria in Leiria on June 10. FIFA mandates that the squad must arrive at their training camp in Palm Beach, Florida, at least five days prior to their opening match.

Portugal's World Cup squad includes: Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting CP), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi Ankara). Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce SK), Joao Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Tomas Araujo (SL Benfica). Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samuel Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City). Forwards: Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (PSG), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr).