Diogo Jota's parents accompany Portugal in their 2026 World Cup debut

The parents of the late Portuguese international footballer Diogo Jota will accompany the Portugal national team as they make their debut in the 2026 World Cup. Joaquim and Isabel Silva were invited by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) to attend the match against the Democratic Republic of Congo in Houston.

The FPF announced that the elder Jota traveled to the United States on Monday at the federation's invitation. Upon arrival, they were welcomed by the FPF president, Pedro Proença, along with other federation officials and the Portuguese delegation. They also met with Portugal's Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sport, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, and the Portuguese Ambassador to the United States, Francisco Duarte Lopes.

Joaquim and Isabel Silva will watch Portugal's opening World Cup game from the stands of Houston's Reliant Stadium. This attendance serves as a continuous tribute to the memory of their son. When announcing the World Cup squad, Portuguese coach Roberto Martínez stated that Portugal would be represented by "27 players plus one," referring to Diogo Jota's symbolic presence in the team's spirit. His name is also featured on a commemorative armband worn by the squad during the tournament.

The FPF has also initiated various projects to preserve Jota's legacy. On April 9, they launched the book "Diogo Jota - Never More Is Too Much Time," by José Manuel Delgado, which chronicles the player's life from childhood to his professional career and family life. Diogo Jota, born in 1996, had a notable career with clubs like Paços de Ferreira, Porto, Wolverhampton Wanderers, and Liverpool FC. He earned over fifty international caps for Portugal. Jota and his brother André Silva tragically passed away on July 3, 2025, in a traffic accident in Zamora, Spain. Their deaths deeply shocked Portugal and the international football community.

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27 players plus one