Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal Route to FIFA World Cup 2026 Final

Portugal recently won the UEFA Nations League!

The FIFA World Cup 2026 draw last night unveiled Cristiano Ronaldo’s road to footballing immortality in what is set to be his last dance at humanity’s biggest stage. Portugal has never reached the finals of the FIFA World Cup and won a solitary bronze medal way back in 1966.

Despite history not being kind to the Portuguese, Roberto Martinez’s men have a golden opportunity to rewrite history and etch their name in golden letters in the upcoming edition of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Portugal are coming after winning the Nations League and have a realistic chance to give a fairytale farewell to one of the greatest to ever play the game.

In this article, we take a look at Portugal’s possible routes to reaching the FIFA World Cup Finals, their potential opponents, best and worst case scenarios and if they can really become the champions of the world in 2026.

Group stage fixtures

Portugal have been drawn in Group K in a relatively balanced group alongside Uzbekistan, Colombia and either of Congo, Jamaica or Caledonia. They will kickstart their campaign against Congo, most likely their easiest opponent in the group, who last played the World Cup back in 1974 as Zaire.

They will next play Uzbekistan, who are the debutants, but one of the emerging teams from Asia. Portugal’s last game will be against Colombia, in what would be the game to decide the group winners. There is a high chance that Portugal will finish as the group toppers or even in the case of an unprecedented hiccup, they might fall to the second spot behind Colombia.

Topping Group K would make their path to the finals a bit easier, whereas setting for a second-place finish would see walking through the edge of hell. Assuming that the Uzbeks also cause a major upset, Portugal would still be in contention as one of the best third-placed teams to advance to the knockout stages.

Also Read: FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw Results: Full Groups, Schedule, Group of Death & more

Round of 32

Assuming Portugal emerges as the group toppers, they will face the best third-ranked team from either Group D, E, I, J or L.

They would want to avoid facing Group I’s third-ranked team, which would see either of France, Senegal or Norway. There is also a high chance that they may face Turkiye, Australia, Ghana or the Ivory Coast.

But what if Portugal finishes second in Group K? In that case, they will face the runners-up of Group L, who would most likely see Croatia locking horns against them. The Croatians have made it to the semi-finals in the last two editions of the FIFA World Cup Finals.

Round of 16

In the Round of 16, Portugal will most likely be facing off against the winner of Group B. Taking a look at Group B, there is a high chance that Switzerland, hosts Canada, or if Italy qualifies, they can emerge as the group toppers. Also, in case of an upset, Japan, Egypt, or Senegal could also be their potential opponent.

Assuming that they finished second in Group K and managed to beat Croatia in the Round of 32, they will face the world-ranked No. 1 team and reigning European champions Spain, which would be nothing less than a nightmare for Ronaldo’s World Cup ambitions.

Quarter Finals

If the stars align perfectly, there is a huge possibility that Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal and Lionel Messi’s Argentina will lock horns against each other in the quarter-finals.

Given Argentina’s recent form and assuming that they will top Group J and get the better of Uruguay in the Round of 16, Messi and Ronaldo could meet each other for what could be their last meeting in humanity’s biggest event.

What if Argentina messes up? Though the probability of this happening is less, anything can happen. In that case, Uruguay or Saudi Arabia will face Portugal in the quarter-finals.

Semi Finals

Now this is where things become increasingly difficult. Even if they manage to defeat world champions Argentina in the quarter-finals, they will face one of the giants in the World Cup semi-finals.

As per the draw, there are high chances that Portugal will face either England, Mexico or Brazil in the semi-finals. In case of some upsets, Norway would also fancy their chances of making it to the semi-finals.

Final

Now, if Portugal defy all odds to reach their first-ever FIFA World Cup Finals, they will leave no stone unturned to cross that one final hurdle.

In the finals, Portugal will face either Germany, France, the Netherlands or Belgium. All of them are equally capable of reaching the finals. France will eye their third straight World Cup Finals, whereas Germany would bee keen to repeat the heroics of 2014 in American soil.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.