Portugal begins 2026 World Cup preparations with Cristiano Ronaldo at the helm

Portugal has kicked off its journey toward the 2026 World Cup, with Cristiano Ronaldo continuing to lead the squad. The team commenced its training camp under the guidance of Spanish coach Roberto Martínez, fostering an atmosphere of anticipation.

Currently, 23 players are available for training. However, key players like Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, and Gonçalo Ramos are temporarily absent. They are expected to join the squad on June 6, following their participation in the Champions League final with Paris Saint-Germain. Martínez will have his full roster available from that date.

As part of their preparation, Portugal is scheduled to play two home friendly matches. They will face Chile on June 6 and then Nigeria on June 10. These matches are intended to refine tactical aspects of the team's play before their departure for North America, where the World Cup will be hosted across Mexico, the United States, and Canada.

In the tournament, Portugal has been placed in Group K. Their opponents will be Colombia, Uzbekistan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. This group presents a mix of South American experience and less traditional, but potentially surprising, rivals. With a blend of emerging young talent and established stars, and with Ronaldo at the helm, Portugal is poised to be a team to watch in the upcoming global competition.