Seleção bids farewell to Portugal “with our bags full of Portuguese dreams” | OneFootball

“It’s important we start well,” emphasised Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo. (Photo: FPF)

The TAP plane with Portugal’s World Cup 2026 delegation took off this afternoon from Lisbon’s Portela airport bound for their base in Palm Beach, Florida, USA.

In a brief ceremony, the committee had the chance to mingle with and give out autographs to well-wishers who had assembled at the Cidade do Futebol base to see them off.

“We’re going to give everything we’ve got; we’ll fight all the way,” said coach Roberto Martínez. “We’re taking with us our bags full of the dreams of the Portuguese people.”

The Spaniard made a point of saying he was pleased with how the training camp on the outskirts of Lisbon had gone, as they head over the Atlantic Ocean.

“In that bus we have 27 players, all of them ready, all of them prepared and all of them with a huge amount of enthusiasm.”

Captain Cristiano Ronaldo also praised the work that has been done over the past fortnight to make sure the players are in top condition for the tournament, saying he and his teammates were, “tired after working hard but in good shape.”

“The goal wasn’t to be at our best for the two friendly matches. We got two victories, but what’s important is to win on the 17th [the date of Portugal’s opening game against Democratic Republic of Congo]. It’s important we start well, finish top of the group and then take it one game at a time to go as far as possible.”

Portugal’s Florida base is relatively near (100 km) the venue of their third Group K match against Colombia, which will be played in the city of Miami. Portugal’s first two matches, against DR Congo and Uzbekistan, will be hosted in Houston, Texas.