Updated: 27 May 2026 12:02 BST |
5 min read
Cristiano Ronaldo has been selected in the Portugal squad for the 2026 World Cup, which means he’ll break the record for appearing in the most tournaments in history.
At the moment, there are five men who have played in five World Cup tournaments – Ronaldo, Mexico’s Antonio Cabral. Germany’s Lothar Mathaus, Mexico’s Rafael Marquez, Mexico’s Andres Guardado and Argentina’s Lionel Messi.
Both Ronaldo and Messi are set to become the only players to feature at six World Cups, though the Argentine, as of yet, has not declared himself for the tournament.
The Portuguese superstar holds the record for the most international appearances and most international goals scored, and he is continuing his pursuit of 1,000 career goals heading into the tournament after scoring 28 Saudi Pro League goals for Al Nassr in 2025/26.
Ronaldo is eligible for all of Portugal’s group games having avoided a three-match ban after being sent off in their penultimate World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland in November.
🚨🇵🇹 OFFICIAL: Portugal final World Cup squad has been released by Roberto Martínez. pic.twitter.com/IpHYs5m2zr
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 19, 2026
There were no real shocks in the squad announcement from head coach Roberto Martinez, but he did confirm “27 players plus one”, in reference in Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in a car crash last summer.
“He is our strength, our joy,” said Martinez. “Losing Diogo was an unforgettable and very difficult moment, but the very next day it was up to all of us to fight for Diogo’s dream and for the example he always set in our national team.
“Diogo Jota’s spirit, strength and example are the plus one and will always be the plus one.”
Notable omissions from the Portugal squad are Mateus Fernandes, Joao Palhinha, Ricardo Horta and Antonio Silva.
Martinez’s squad is one of the most star-studded at the World Cup as in addition to Ronaldo we have the likes of Bruno Fernandes, fresh off breaking the record for most assists in a Premier League season and Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos, all of whom will play in the Champions League final for Paris Saint-Germain against Arsenal this Saturday.
Man City trio Bernardo Silva, Matheus Nunes and Ruben Dias are also included.
With everyone fit, including Cristiano, let’s look at how Portugal will line up this summer.
(4-3-3): Costa; Cancelo, Inacio, Dias, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves, Fernandes; Silva, Ronaldo, Leao
There are only really two positions that are really uncertain at that are right-back and left wing.
Joao Cancelo is usually preferred in the back four but Nunes has been extremely impressive at right-back for Man City, having been developed into a defender from a midfielder by Pep Guardiola.
Rafael Leao would usually be a shoe-in on the left-hand side of the front three but he’s coming off a disappointing season for Milan so Joao Felix, Pedro Neto and Francisco Trincao are other options.
Silva can play in midfield or in the front three but expect him to flank Ronaldo, with a supremely talented midfield trio of Fernandes, Vitinha and Joao Neves starting.
Benfica’s Antonio Silva will likely partner Dias in the middle of defence.
As for Ronaldo, he is 41 so it’s a big ask that he play every minute of every game so expect Goncalo Ramos to be given adequate gametime in the centre-forward role.
Still, all eyes will be on CR7 and he’s sure to provide plenty of highlights this summer.
You could even keep a highlight as a souvenir thanks to LEGO© and their new World Cup sets which include Cristiano Ronaldo highlights as well as a depiction of his famous celebration.
Similarly, The FIFA World Cup 2026™ ball is another iconic set that is unique to this competition. It is a LEGO replica of the size 5 football that will be used across North America this summer but is distinguished by popping open to display a packed stadium celebrating the winning team.
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