Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published Friday, June 12, 2026 8:59 p.m. / Updated Friday, June 12, 2026 8:59 p.m.
The Portugal national team left for the United States of America today for the 2026 World Cup. Cristiano Ronaldo, the captain of the team, was the spokesman of the group and offered a series of statements as they left for what would be his last world finals tournament.
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Portugal will debut at this World Championship on June 17 against DR Congo. The match was scheduled at NRG Stadium in Houston, from 20:00 Romanian time. Colombia and Uzbekistan are also in group K.
Cristiano Ronaldo: “Physically I'm fine, haven't you seen the matches?”
Photo: Facebook Portugal
“With great joy we leave, we know that the World Cup is always a special competition, just like the European one, we go with great hope. Physically? I'm fine, haven't you seen the matches?
We will only know at the end if we are one of the candidates for the trophy. It's a very good generation, but there are factors we can't control, like the matches, whether we win or not win, that's the most important aspect. I think it is a generation that will bring many joys to the Portuguese.
It was tiring to prepare, because I worked hard. In the matches the wins stood out, but the most important thing is when the ball starts rolling on the 17th, in the first match, and then when things get tougher, then we will see the real champions. It will depend on many factors, I am very optimistic that things will go well, the important thing is to pass the group from first place, then it's match by match, step by step, calmly, to gain confidence and get into the rhythm”, Cristiano Ronaldo said, according to abola.pt.
Portugal squad for the 2026 World Cup
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Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting), Jose Sa (Wolves) and Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi)
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Defenders: Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villareal), Tomas Araujo (Benfica), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City) and Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce)
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Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Joao Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Rúben Neves (Al-Hilal) and Samu Costa (Mallorca)
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Strikers: Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Joao Félix (Al Nassr), Pedro Neto Chelsea, Francisco Conceiçao (Juventus) and Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad)
