Roberto Martinez's full 27-man Portugal roster, headlined by Cristiano Ronaldo's record-breaking sixth World Cup — alongside Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leao and the PSG quartet.
Roberto Martinez unveiled his Portugal World Cup 2026 squad on 19 May 2026, three weeks before the tournament begins. The headline is once again Cristiano Ronaldo, who at 41 will play in his sixth World Cup — a new men's record he will share with Lionel Messi. Portugal arrive as one of the favourites after winning the most recent Nations League title.
Martinez named 27 players, with the squad set to be trimmed to 26 by FIFA's registration deadline on 2 June. The PSG Champions League finalists — Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos — are all included alongside Manchester City duo Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva, while Tottenham's Joao Palhinha and Benfica's Antonio Silva are the most notable absentees.
Announced by Roberto Martinez on 19 May 2026 · To be trimmed to 26 by FIFA registration on 2 June
Portugal among the dark horses at 11.00 · Ronaldo top scorer, Bruno Fernandes assist markets & Group K
Expected formation under Martinez: 4-3-3
Martinez is expected to build around the PSG midfield axis of Vitinha and Joao Neves, with Bruno Fernandes operating as the advanced playmaker. Ronaldo leads the line with Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leao providing width. Joao Felix offers a high-quality alternative from the bench. Diogo Costa is the undisputed first-choice goalkeeper after another strong season at Porto.
At 41, Ronaldo plays in his sixth World Cup — a men's record he shares with Messi. He holds the all-time men's international appearances record (226) and goals record (143), and is the only player to have scored at five different World Cups. His best finish remains fourth in 2006. With Portugal as Nations League champions, this could be his final shot at the trophy that has eluded him.
Voted England's Footballer of the Year, the Manchester United captain enters the World Cup chasing the outright Premier League single-season assist record. As Portugal's creative engine, his pinpoint passing and set-piece delivery will be central to unlocking deep defences. Few players in world football combine vision and end-product like Fernandes.
The AC Milan forward gives Portugal a different dimension — pace, dribbling and the ability to break games open in transitions. When Leao is in form, he can turn matches single-handedly. The question for Martinez is consistency, and whether Leao can deliver his Milan brilliance on the international stage.
The most notable omissions were Tottenham midfielder Joao Palhinha and Benfica defender Antonio Silva — both regulars under previous selections. Matheus Fernandes of Brentford, Ricardo Horta and Pedro Goncalves also missed out.
In their place, Martinez backed his four PSG players to the hilt — Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos all included after the club's Champions League final qualification. Genclerbirligi goalkeeper Ricardo Velho gives Martinez a fourth keeper option ahead of cuts to the final 26.
Portugal face DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia in the group stage
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