Portugal predicted lineup for FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Ronaldo & Bruno
Portugal are champions of the UEFA Nations League 2025.
Maybe this could be Cristiano Ronaldo’s year. Portugal are unarguably one of the dark-horse favourites to win the FIFA World Cup. They are dangerous, as seen in their recent triumph in the UEFA Nations League, defeating Euro 2024 champions Spain in the finals.
Unlike other heavyweights like England, Argentina, Brazil and France, Portugal has never gone past the semi-finals. But maybe Roberto Martinez could change the fortunes of the Southwest European nation in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
This could be Cristiano Ronaldo‘s last dance. The 41-year-old embarks on his sixth FIFA World Cup. His teammates would be motivated to win it all for one of the greatest players of all time.
They are led by the experienced Roberto Martinez, who has previously led English clubs like Everton, Swansea City and Wigan Athletic before even taking over the reins of the Belgium national team. Under Martinez, the Red Devils clinched a historic bronze in the 2018 World Cup.
In this article, we take a look at how Martinez’s men could line up in the FIFA World Cup 2026. They are favourites to top Group K after being drawn alongside DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
Portugal Predicted Lineup (4-3-3)
GK: Diogo Costa – FC Porto
It was in the Round of 16 of Euro 2024 when Portugal were dragged to a penalty shootout against Slovenia. They were on the verge of a big upset, but Porto custodian Diogo Costa stood tall. He became the first and only goalkeeper in the history of European championships to make three consecutive saves.
He is coming after winning the Portuguese top flight with Porto. There he went on to keep a staggering 19 clean sheets in 33 games for Porto.
RB: João Cancelo – FC Barcelona (on loan)
The Portuguese right back’s move to the Saudi Pro League grabbed a lot of eyeballs. But he silenced his critics with his performance across the top Asian leagues. He was recently loaned out to Barca.
He played 22 games for Hansi Flick’s side, where he registered five goal contributions in 22 games. He was instrumental in Barca’s domination in winning the Spanish top flight this season.
Cancelo played four matches during the 2022 World Cup, featuring heavily across the group stages. His ability to invert opens up massive passing lanes for the wingers and midfielders.
Also read: France predicted lineup for FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Mbappe & Dembele
CB: Rúben Dias – Manchester City
Ruben Dias played every single minute of Portugal’s 2022 FIFA World Cup knockout campaign. It includes participation in a 6-1 win over Switzerland and a 1-0 defeat to Morocco in the quarterfinals.
He has lately been out of Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City team but still managed to make over 30 appearances this season. He helped City win the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Dias is world-class at reading opposition counters and blocking the central passing lanes.
CB: Gonçalo Inácio – Sporting CP
After SL Benfica’s Antonio Silva was excluded from Martinez’s squad, there are high hopes that Inacio will be marshalling Portugal’s defence alongside Ruben Dias. The three-time Liga Portugal winner with Sporting, Inacio had a great 2025-26 season, making 45 appearances.
This will be Inacio’s senior World Cup debut. He will be looking forward to making it a memorable one. As a natural left-footed centre-back, Inacio gives the backline elite passing balance.
LB: Nuno Mendes – Paris Saint-Germain
At just 23, Mendes is a five-time French champion and is on the verge of winning his second consecutive UEFA Champions League title with Luis Enrique’s PSG. He was part of the Portugal team that won the UEFA Nations League in 2025.
He has been a key element in PSG’s domestic treble success. His previous World Cup campaign was cut short after suffering a thigh injury against Uruguay in the group stages.
CDM: João Neves – Paris Saint-Germain
One of the youngest players in Portugal’s starting 11, Joao Neves, will be making his senior World Cup debut. Despite his young age, Neves plays with the maturity of a veteran. He breaks up counter-attacks relentlessly.
He had an incredible season with PSG. In 44 appearances, Neves went on to register 14 goal contributions with nine goals and four assists. He will be looking forward to dominating the midfield with his PSG teammate Vitinha.
Also read: Brazil predicted lineup for FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Neymar & Vinicius Jr
CDM: Vitinha – Paris Saint-Germain
The third PSG player in the Portuguese line-up, Vitinha played a key role in guiding PSG to their first-ever UCL title last season after thrashing Inter in the finals. In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he made three appearances. But given his current form, he is likely to play every game.
In 56 games for PSG, he went on to score eight goals and give 11 assists across all competitions. He has been PSG’s standout player since the last two seasons. Vitinha will be hoping to replicate the same under Martinez.
CAM: Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United
Unarguably, one of the greatest midfielders in modern-day football, Bruno Fernandes. He has already broken Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s record of most assists in a single Premier League season. He is coming after a stellar campaign for Manchester United, bringing back UCL days to Old Trafford.
In Portugal’s most difficult group stage fixture against Uruguay in the last edition, Bruno went on to score a brace against world-class defenders like Godin and Gimenez. He will be one of Portugal’s most important players in the lineup.
RW: Pedro Neto – Chelsea
Pedro Neto is the first Portuguese player born in the 2000s to score for the Portugal national team. He did so on his international debut against Andorra. Many may argue that Bernardo Silva should be chosen over Neto, but he can create massive gaps inside the box for Ronaldo to exploit.
This will be his World Cup debut for Portugal. He is coming after a brilliant season with Chelsea, registering 22 goal contributions in 54 games.
ST: Cristiano Ronaldo – Al-Nassr
Cristiano Ronaldo remains the only male player in the history of football to score in five different World Cup editions. He is coming after a brilliant season with Al Nassr, winning his first Saudi Pro League title after a narrow heartbreak against Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League Two Finals.
Ronaldo has aged like a fine wine, defying time. Even at 41, he is still nothing less than a nightmare for opposing goalkeepers. The former Real Madrid forward would be eyeing his first-ever World Cup with Portugal.
Also read: England predicted lineup for FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Harry Kane
LW: Rafael Leão – AC Milan
He was a super sub for Portugal in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He scored goals against Ghana and Switzerland after coming from the bench. Now, Leao is expected to be a constant starter for Portugal in the upcoming edition.
Despite AC Milan missing continental football, Rafael Leao impressed domestically after netting 10 goals and giving three assists in 30 games this season for Massimiliano Allegri’s side.
Who is Portugal’s coach in the FIFA WC 26?
Roberto Martinez.
Which teams are in Portugal’s group?
DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo in the Portugal team?
Yes, Ronaldo is expected to start for Portugal.
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In addition to writing articles on World and Indian Football, Saikat has also covered tournaments like the Durand Cup, Indian Super League, and Hockey India League. Notably, his exceptional communication skills have seen him interview legendary icons like Olympic 2024 gold medalist Yibbi Jansen, former Real Madrid player Javi Hernandez, and many more such sporting stalwarts.