Cristiano Ronaldo named in Portugal squad for record sixth World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make history by becoming the first male player to appear at six World Cups after being named in Portugal’s squad for the 2026 tournament in North America.
The 41-year-old Al Nassr forward, who remains international football’s all-time leading male goalscorer with 143 goals in 226 appearances, has been included in Roberto Martinez’s 27-man travelling party. Portugal, the reigning Nations League champions, will be aiming for their first World Cup triumph when the expanded tournament kicks off across the United States, Mexico, and Canada next month. Ronaldo made his World Cup debut in Germany in 2006, helping his country reach the semi-finals, and has incredibly scored at every tournament since.
He now joins long-time rival Lionel Messi in the quest to feature at a record-breaking sixth global finals, further cementing his remarkable longevity at the pinnacle of the sport. Martinez announced his squad at the Cidade do Futebol on Tuesday, selecting a talent-heavy roster that seamlessly blends youth with extensive tournament experience.
The squad announcement was also marked by a highly poignant tribute, with Martinez dedicating the selection as “27 players plus one” in memory of former Liverpool and Portugal forward Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away last year. “He is our strength, our joy,” the manager noted during the press conference, highlighting the emotional motivation driving the team.
Ronaldo will be joined by a host of familiar Premier League faces, including Manchester City trio Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, and Matheus Nunes, alongside Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and Chelsea winger Pedro Neto.
The squad also features a formidable Paris St-Germain contingent, with Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, and Goncalo Ramos all making the cut, while Ronaldo’s Al Nassr team-mate Joao Felix is also included. Martinez has named an initial 27 players, including a fourth goalkeeper, Genclerbirligi’s Ricardo Velho.
Velho will travel purely for training purposes and can only be officially added to the 26-man list in the event of an injury to Diogo Costa, Jose Sa, or Rui Silva. Following the announcement, an outpouring of support flooded social media, with fans marvelling at Ronaldo’s enduring career and seemingly unshakeable determination.
Portugal are heavy favourites to progress from Group K, where they will begin their campaign against the Democratic Republic of the Congo at the Houston Stadium on 17 June.
They will remain in Texas to face Uzbekistan on 23 June, before travelling to Florida to conclude their group-stage matches against Colombia at the Miami Stadium on 27 June. Preparations for the tournament will intensify with two domestic warm-up matches. Portugal will host Chile in Oeiras on 6 June, followed by a clash with Nigeria in Leiria on 10 June.
FIFA has stipulated that all squads must be in their respective training camps at least five days before their opening match, with Portugal set to base themselves in Palm Beach, Florida. Martinez has until the FIFA submission deadline on 2 June to finalise his official 26-man list.
However, the confirmation of Ronaldo’s participation ensures that the global spotlight will once again follow one of the game’s greatest ever players on the biggest stage of all.
