Portugal XI vs Uzbekistan: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for World Cup 2026 | OneFootball

Pre-tournament favourites are still searching for first win

Portugal take on Uzbekistan in search of their first win of the 2026 World Cup.

Roberto Martinez’s side were held to a stunning 1-1 draw by the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opener, with Yoane Wissa snatching a point for the African side in first-half stoppage time.

Neves lines up alongside Paris Saint-Germain club-mate Vitinha, with Manchester United captain and Premier League player of the season Bruno Fernandes ahead of them as the No10.

Debate rages on about talismanic striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who against the DR Congo became the oldest outfield player ever at a World Cup at 41 years of age.

Could start: Rafael Leao

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He, of course, will start up top once more, and it remains to be seen whether Martinez sticks or twists with Bernardo Silva wide right and Pedro Neto on the opposite flank.

He could turn to AC Milan’s wantaway winger Rafael Leao on the left for a bit more of a goal threat, and that would see PSG’s Nuno Mendes bomb around him on the overlap.

At right-back, Barcelona’s Joao Cancelo switched over left-back when Nelson Semedo came on in Mendes’ place against the DR Congo.

Diogo Costa is the nailed-on No1 between the sticks, but there was a slight surprise in the heart of defence.

Ruben Dias was not fit enough to start in the opener, with Tomas Araujo and Renato Veiga preferred to the likes of highly-rated Antonio Silva and Goncalo Inacio.

Predicted Portugal XI (4-2-3-1): Costa; Cancelo, Araujo, Veiga, Mendes; Vitinha, Neves; Silva, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo

Date and time: 6pm BST on Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Venue: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas