Portugal’s World Cup 2026 squad announced | OneFootball

Portugal’s 2026 World Cup squad (Image: FPF - Portuguese Football Federation)

Roberto Martínez has announced Portugal’s World Cup 2026 squad at FPF headquarters at Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras on the outskirts of Lisbon. The 27-man group contains no major surprises.

The most eyebrow-raising selection is arguably Nélson Semedo, the Fenerbahçe defender one of four players who can play at right-back. Samú Costa is rewarded for his excellent showings in the March friendlies against Mexico and USA and a strong season at Mallorca with a call-up.

Another Spain-based player Gonçalo Guedes making the cut may also surprise some, especially given there was no room for veteran striker Paulinho, who has been in excellent form at Toluca.

Other players heavily involved in Portugal squads in recent years who will feel unlucky to miss out are midfielders João Palhinha and Pedro Gonçalves, defender António Silva and forward Ricardo Horta.

“Let’s do what has never been done”

“Today is a sad day for us because we had to leave out players who we really wanted to take to the World Cup,” said Martínez. “On the other hand, it is an exciting day because we are going to start our fight against history. To quote Pedro Abrunhosa (Portuguese musician): “Let’s do what’s never been done.”

At the tournament to be held in USA, Mexico and Canada, Portugal will play the Democratic Republic of Congo on 17 June and Uzbekistan on 23 June, both in Houston, before finishing their Group K matches against Colombia in Miami on 27 June.

Before heading across the Atlantic, the Seleção will play two friendly matches, against Chile on 6 June at the Jamor National Stadium and against Nigeria on 10 June, in Leiria.

Full Portugal World Cup 2026 squad

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting), José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Ricardo Velho (Gençlerbirliği)

Defenders: João Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nélson Semedo (Fenerbahçe), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Rúben Dias (Manchester City), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomas Araújo, (Benfica)