Portugal name World Cup squad: Cristiano Ronaldo set for sixth tournament

Ronaldo has been named in Portugal's 2026 World Cup squad Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images Share article1Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in his sixth World Cup squad as part of an initial 27-man Portugal group for this summer’s tournament. No male footballer has ever appeared at six World Cups but Ronaldo, barring injuries, will achieve the feat in the coming weeks. Lionel Messi will join him with six appearances if called up by Argentina. Ronaldo features alongside Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes in a strong Portugal squad, named on Tuesday by manager Roberto Martinez. Four goalkeepers have been called up, with one due to be cut ahead of the final deadline. Surprise inclusions include former Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Goncalo Guedes, now with Real Sociedad, who returned to the national setup in March after a four-year absence, while four-times-capped Mallorca defensive midfielder Samuel Costa is also in. Costa has been picked ahead of Joao Palhinha and Mateus Fernandes, who are among a few high profile absentees. Palhinha, on loan at Tottenham Hotspur from Bayern Munich, has 37 caps for Portugal while West Ham United’s Fernandes made his debut earlier this year, but neither make the cut. Benfica defender Antonio Silva also misses out, as well as forwards Paulinho, Pedro Goncalves, Ricardo Horta and Porto youngster Ricardo Mora. Portugal are among the favourites to win the tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada, for what would be the first time in the country’s history. The furthest Portugal have reached is the semi-finals in 1966 and 2006. Martinez’s team have been drawn against Colombia, Uzbekistan and DR Congo in Group K. He led them to Nations League success last year, beating Spain in the final. Portugal will play home friendlies against Chile (June 6th) and Nigeria (June 10th) in preparation for the tournament. Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Silva (Sporting CP), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi, on loan from Farense) Defenders: Joao Cancelo (Barcelona, on loan from Al Hilal), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Tomas Araujo (Benfica), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce) Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Joao Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samuel Costa (Mallorca) Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Goncalo Ramos (PSG), Rafael Leao (Milan), Francisco Trincao (Sporting CP), Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad) Here we go again. A sixth World Cup and an astonishing 12th major tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo will, as he has done for more than two decades now, take centre stage for Portugal when the action gets underway next month. The 41-year-old’s place in the squad was never really in doubt, with manager Roberto Martinez having stuck with Ronaldo despite his ineffective displays at Euro 2024 in Germany two years ago. The Al Nassr forward did, it must be said, perform far better for his country during their UEFA Nations League triumph last year — yet the question marks over his continued involvement with Portugal’s national team have not gone away and will only grow if he starts this tournament poorly. He was dropped from the starting line-up for the knockout stage at the last World Cup under former manager Fernando Santos. Could the same happen again if he is visibly harming the side with his lack of pressing? We’ll have to wait and see. Ronaldo won’t be concerned by any of this though. As ever, he will be laser-focused on his own game and will have more than half an eye on becoming the first man to score in six World Cups and also finally netting in the knockout stage of the sport’s biggest competition. The latter is something that, despite his incredible career and undisputed place among the game’s greats, he is yet to achieve. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms