How Portugal is preparing for the 2026 World Cup | OneFootball

Portugal’s next World Cup tilt is taking shape on the pitch and behind the scenes. Recent results, a clear game model, and intense competition for places all point to a squad that knows what it wants to be by the time it reaches North America. The aim here is simple. Assign real names to the plan, illustrate how the form and roles are stabilising, and outline what remains to be achieved for Portugal to win the FIFA World Cup.

The roadmap from now to 2026

The federation has built a calendar that balances continuity with tests that matter. Roberto Martínez and his staff are using each international break to fix partnerships and drill small rules that hold under stress. In the recent matches against Armenia and Hungary, for example, the Spaniard paired up Al Nassr duo Cristiano Ronaldo and João Félix, and played the midfield partnership of João Neves and Vitinha in order to consolidate club understandings at national team level.

Portugal rides into qualifying with momentum after lifting the Nations League in June, a win over Spain on penalties that hardened belief and added silverware to the cabinet.

Training time focuses on repeatable patterns. Diogo Costa sets the tone with calm distribution. Rúben Dias organises the back line with a voice that his teammates trust. João Cancelo and Nuno Mendes time their runs to either stretch the pitch or step inside to form triangles.

In midfield, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva offer experience, creativity and engine room. Cristiano Ronaldo leads the line and continues to get important goals, while Rafael Leão offers lightning speed.

The coaching blueprint and real role clarity

Modern Portugal wants the ball, yet defends the middle with care when it does not have it. The first platform is steady. Costa invites the press, then slips into Vitinha or João Neves if the angle is on.

If the passing lane is blocked, the ball goes to Cancelo or Mendes with pace. From there, the team tries to break the first line in two or three touches and attack the next line before it can reset.

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Recent results and what they reveal

The September window delivered two away wins that said as much about mentality as talent. Portugal thumped Armenia 5-0 in a comfortable victory. João Félix netted twice, as did Ronaldo, and Cancelo added his name to the scoresheet.

It was an emotional night given that it was the first game after the death of Diogo Jota in July. Tributes were made before kickoff, and Cancelo honoured his teammate with Jota’s celebration.

Next, against Hungary was a much more difficult task for Portugal. Hungary opened the scoring with a Barnabás Varga header, but Bernardo Silva quickly equalised. Ronaldo put Portugal ahead from the spot to make it 2-1, and Hungary drew level late. Nevertheless, right at the death, Cancelo popped up to clinch the victory for Portugal.

The win left Portugal top of Group F with 6 points from 6 and a goal difference that already matters in a short campaign. It also pushed Ronaldo level as the joint top scorer in World Cup qualifiers with 39, another small landmark in a career of many.

Squad battles by line, and the leaders emerge

The talent available to Martínez ensures healthy competition to make the squad, with leaders emerging in each position and setting the standard for performance.

Goalkeeper

Diogo Costa is the clear number one. His passing under pressure turns defence into attack, and his shot-stopping remains sharp. Behind him, Rui Silva and José Sá ensure a lively competition for the number two shirt to drive standards in camp.

Centre-backs

Rúben Dias is the keystone. Next to him, António Silva and Gonçalo Inácio bring different strengths. Silva reads danger early and steps in front. Inácio offers a left foot that opens angles in the first phase of construction.

Those options let Martínez switch between a more aggressive line and a deeper block when the game state demands it. Renato Veiga is another viable alternative, offering a more physically robust option.

Full-backs

João Cancelo’s licence to join midfield or appear at the back post makes him a constant puzzle for opponents. On the left, Nuno Mendes’ near unstoppable surges force defenders to turn and run and often create chaos in the opposition box.

Diogo Dalot remains a trusted option on either side when fit, although he missed the Armenia trip with a muscle issue.

Midfield

Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes are the reference points that Martínez rarely does without. Bernardo sets the rhythm and slips past pressure. Bruno arrives in scoring positions and threads line-breaking passes.

Vitinha’s balance of press resistance and tempo control has made him one of the best midfielders in the modern game, while his PSG colleague João Neves brings boundless energy and quick decisions in tight zones. João Palhinha stays in the conversation for matches that require extra physical presence and aerial cover.

Attack

Cristiano Ronaldo still commands attention in the box and from the penalty spot. His late run across the near post and his timing on cutbacks remain elite.

João Félix has hit a stride as a hybrid forward who links play and arrives to finish, as the Armenia match underlined. Pedro Neto offers vertical running and early crosses from the right.

When fit, Rafael Leão stretches any back four and changes how full-backs defend that side. Gonçalo Ramos is the alternative No9 who can occupy centre-backs and free space for midfield runners.

How club form feeds the national team

Although the majority of the squad play their football abroad, what happens each week in Lisbon, Porto, Braga, Guimarães, is the shared original of the Seleção and provides the pipeline for constant renewal of the Seleção.

UEFA club competitions are crucial stepping stones for player development, with high-quality opponents providing different problems for Portugal’s finest to solve, as can be seen by the wide array of clubs from different footballing cultures Liga Portugal teams faced last season, in PortuGOAL’s explainer.

From build-up to box: how the phases connect

Portugal’s passing map aims to open space, not collect sterile touches. Dias and Inácio split to receive. Costa chooses the calm option and draws a line of pressure. Vitinha or João Neves appear between lines on the half turn.

If the opponent covers the middle, the ball goes wide and moves forward with purpose. In the middle third, triangles appear and vanish as runners trade places.

Bruno drags a marker to free Bernardo. Bernardo releases Cancelo on the overlap. A cutback follows, or a clipped ball finds Ronaldo peeling off his man.

Set plays are a quiet source of confidence. Fernandes hits zones rather than heads. Dias screens, Ramos attacks the space, and late runners arrive from the edge. Cancelo’s delivery from either side lets Portugal vary the look.

Group F standings, and what matters next

Armenia, Hungary and the Republic of Ireland make up the rest of the group. Portugal were the clear favourites to top the group before qualifying began, and even more so now after taking six points from two away games, scoring 8 goals and conceding just two.

Indeed, given the way other results went, it is feasible – even probably – that the Seleção book their place at the FIFA World Cup 2026 early, in the next international break.

Victories at home against the Republic of Ireland and Hungary will rubber-stamp Portugal’s passport to the greatest sporting event on earth.