Portugal World Cup 2026 squad: Lineup and tactics for Uzbekistan

Portugal are among the dark horses to win World Cup 2026, as Roberto Martínez attempts to lead the country to their first ever triumph on the biggest stage of all.

European champions in 2016, Portugal have never gone beyond the semi-finals at the World Cup, and that is something they are desperate to change in North America. They didn’t get off to the best start, however, being frustrated in a 1-1 draw with DR Congo.

Portugal struggled to create chances, and the performance of Cristiano Ronaldo was the hot topic amongst pundits and commentators. Martínez needs to fluid system that works for the other 10 players, but also regularly supplies the 41-year-old.

They started in a 4-2-3-1, with PSG pair João Neves and Vitinha in midfield, and Bruno Fernandes just ahead of them in the main playmaking role. That’s where the biggest strength of this Portuguese team lies, although mavericks like Rafael Leão can also help unlock stubborn defences.

The Iberians will still expect to top their group, but will need wins over Uzbekistan tonight and then the – on paper – second-strongest team in the section in Colombia on matchday 3.

Check out our latest World Cup match betting tips and predictions ahead of today’s games

Portugal World Cup 2026 squad and predicted lineup: key takeaways

• Bruno Fernandes offers better value than Ronaldo in the goalscorer market despite the latter’s headline billing, as Fernandes is Portugal’s primary creative force and also a set-piece threat, making him relevant in both goals and assists markets.
• Ronaldo completed 90 minutes against DR Congo but, at 41, might not be able to play every minute of the campaign – making any bet builder or player performance market that requires him to complete a full game a structural risk worth avoiding.
• Martínez’s defensive record as a manager is a known weakness, making Portugal potentially vulnerable in high-press knockout ties and worth considering in both-teams-to-score markets against quality opposition.
• João Neves is the most relevant Portugal player for the cards market, as the holding midfielder tasked with breaking up play in a team that will face sustained pressure from stronger sides in the knockouts.
• Portugal have never progressed beyond the semi-finals at a World Cup despite consistently fielding world-class squads, which is a tournament pedigree point worth factoring into any deep-run outright markets, particularly if they face Spain or France in the knockout rounds.

Roberto Martínez brings experience

Roberto Martínez has been in international management for a decade, so he knows his way around a knockout tournament.
The Spaniard was not quite able to lead Belgium’s golden generation to a major trophy, although a third-place finish at World Cup 2018 was an achievement to be proud of.

Martínez’s teams are sometimes suspect defensively – and the goal DR Congo scored highlights that. Portugal also looked vulnerable on the rare occasions the Africans were able to counter.

Martínez is an attack-minded manager, and that suits a squad bursting with talent. Portugal will aim to dominate possession in virtually every match they play, but Martínez must be prepared to mix things up when the situation calls for it.

The star player: Bruno Fernandes

Bruno Fernandes has had arguably the most effective season of his Manchester United career, but the attacking midfielder has been a consistent performer ever since he moved to the Premier League in 2020.

A natural creator with an eye for a defence-splitting pass, Fernandes also provides wicked deliveries from set-piece situations. He is an intelligent player too, frequently taking up awkward positions between the lines.

Fernandes is in fantastic form and, having made his international debut one year after Portugal’s Euro 2016 triumph, he will be particularly desperate to win silverware with his country. Because of his tactical understanding, Fernandes could be used in a deeper midfield role if Portugal ever want to switch to a 4-3-3 configuration.

Portugal 2026 World Cup confirmed 26-man squad

How Portugal lined up against DR Congo

Manchester City’s Rúben Dias wasn’t fit enough to start the opening game, but is looking likely to return for group games two and three. In his absence, Tomás Araujo and Renato Veiga were named as the centre back duo. They were winning just their sixth and 20th caps respectively.

Francisco Conceição, Rafael Leão and Gonçalo Ramos were all introduced off the bench but none could help the Iberians find a winner.

Martínez is spoilt for choice in the attacking positions and may opt to swap the wide players around until the winning combination is found.

How to bet on the Portugal World Cup squad

There are specific betting markets relevant to the Portugal starting XI for World Cup 2026. One of the most popular is the anytime goalscorer market. Cristiano Ronaldo is the obvious choice here given his extraordinary scoring record, but Bruno Fernandes provides better value.

Fernandes, who has just broken the Premier League’s single-season assist record, would be an astute pick in the assist market, which is offered by several bookmakers. 

Another individual player market worth watching is cards. João Neves will be tasked with breaking up play in the centre of the pitch, making him vulnerable to bookings.

FAQ about the 2026 Portugal World Cup squad

1. How many times have Portugal won the World Cup?

Portugal have never won the World Cup, so success this summer would make them the ninth different nation to claim the prize.

Their best ever showing was in 1966, when a team containing Eusébio finished third. Portugal also reached the semi-finals in 2006, losing to France and then hosts Germany in the third-place playoff.

2. Which players are injured and missing from the starting 11?

At the time of writing, Portugal do not have any major injury concerns, but are looking to ease Rúben Dias back into action – he is by far their most experienced and accomplished central defender.

Goalkeeper Diogo Costa was absent during the March international break, but he has since returned to full fitness and started the DR Congo game. Rafael Leão has suffered from a niggling abductor problem this term, but he has been officially included in the squad, and came off the bench on Wednesday night.

3. Are there any changes to Portugal’s usual starting 11?

Pepe finally called time on his international career after Euro 2024, and the centre back position next to Rúben Dias certainly does seem up for grabs. If Cristiano Ronaldo is to be rested at any point, Gonçalo Ramos will be the next go-to striking option.

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