Ronaldo set for sixth World Cup as Portugal names squad

Cristiano Ronaldo was named to Portugal’s 2026 World Cup squad, putting him in line for a sixth tournament appearance at age 41.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set to play in a sixth World Cup after Portugal coach Roberto Martinez named the 41-year-old forward in his squad for the 2026 tournament on Tuesday.

The selection keeps Ronaldo at the center of Portugal’s campaign in the United States, Mexico and Canada, where the reigning Nations League champions will open Group K play against the Democratic Republic of the Congo on June 17 in Houston. Portugal also faces Uzbekistan in Houston on June 23 before closing the group stage against Colombia in Miami on June 27.

Martinez announced a 27-player traveling group at Cidade do Futebol, with a symbolic additional place reserved in memory of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool forward who died in a car accident last July at age 28. The coach described the squad as “27 players plus one.”

“Diogo Jota’s spirit, strength and example are the +1 and will always be the +1,” Martinez said.

Ronaldo’s selection adds another milestone to an international career already defined by longevity and records. He is the all-time leader in appearances and goals for a men’s national team, with 226 caps and 143 goals, and is the only man to have scored in five World Cups. The World Cup remains one of the few major trophies missing from a career that includes the 2016 European Championship and Nations League titles in 2019 and 2025 with Portugal.

Martinez’s list includes several established attacking and midfield options around Ronaldo, including Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto, Francisco Conceicao, Francisco Trincao and Goncalo Ramos. Paris Saint-Germain players Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Ramos were also named.

The coach also selected four goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, Jose Sa, Rui Silva and Ricardo Velho. Martinez said Velho, who plays for Genclerbirligi Ankara, will travel as a fourth-choice training goalkeeper but can be added to the official 26-man list only if one of the registered goalkeepers is injured, in line with FIFA replacement rules.

Martinez defended the balance of the group, including the decision to carry four goalkeepers and five fullbacks, citing the strain of a tournament played across different climates and time zones. He said Portugal needed extra coverage in certain positions and pointed to the versatility of players such as Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo and Matheus Nunes.

Portugal’s preparations include warm-up matches against Chile in Oeiras on June 6 and Nigeria in Leiria on June 10. FIFA requires the squad to be in its Palm Beach, Florida, training camp at least five days before Portugal’s opening match.