Portugal Names 27‑Man World Cup Squad, Including a Symbolic “Plus One” for Diogo Jota
On Tuesday, Portugal’s head coach Roberto Martínez unveiled the national team’s roster for the upcoming FIFA World Cup, confirming that veteran forward Cristiano Ronaldo will feature in his sixth tournament at the age of 41. The announcement was made at the Cidade do Futebol training centre in Lisbon and highlighted both tactical decisions and a heartfelt tribute to the late Diogo Jota.
Squad Composition and the “Plus One” Gesture
Martínez described the selection as “27 players plus one,” referring to Liverpool striker Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July 2024 at 28. The coach emphasized that Jota’s spirit will accompany the squad throughout the competition.
“He is our strength, our joy. Losing Diogo was an unforgettable and very difficult moment, but the very next day it was up to all of us to fight for Diogo’s dream and for the example he always set in our national team. Diogo Jota’s spirit, strength and example are the +1 and will always be the +1.”
The official 26‑man World Cup list will consist of the 26 players named below, with fourth‑choice goalkeeper Ricardo Velho travelling as a reserve. Under FIFA regulations, Velho can only be added to the matchday squad if one of the three registered goalkeepers suffers an injury during the tournament.
Goalkeeper Situation
Portugal will bring four goalkeepers to the United States‑Mexico‑Canada host cities:
- Diogo Costa (FC Porto)
- Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
- Rui Silva (Sporting CP)
- Ricardo Velho (Gençlerbirliği Ankara)
Martínez clarified that Velho’s role is strictly that of a training goalkeeper, ready to step in only under the injury provision outlined by FIFA.
Defensive and Midfield Selections
The back line features a mix of experience and versatility, with Martínez opting for five full‑backs to cope with the tournament’s demanding schedule, varying climates, and multiple time zones.
- Diogo Dalot (Manchester United)
- Matheus Nunes (Manchester City)
- Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahçe SK)
- João Cancelo (FC Barcelona)
- Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint‑Germain)
- Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP)
- Renato Veiga (Villarreal)
- Rubén Dias (Manchester City)
- Tomás Araujo (SL Benfica)
Midfield options include a blend of creativity and defensive solidity:
- Rubén Neves (Al‑Hilal)
- Samuel Costa (Mallorca)
- João Neves (Paris Saint‑Germain)
- Vitinha (Paris Saint‑Germain)
- Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United)
- Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Attacking Line‑up
Portugal’s forward group balances width, incisive runs, and central presence. Martínez highlighted the ability of several players to operate between the lines, while others provide stretch on the flanks.
- João Félix (Al‑Nassr)
- Francisco Trincão (Sporting CP)
- Francisco Conceição (Juventus)
- Pedro Neto (Chelsea)
- Rafael Leão (AC Milan)
- Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad)
- Gonçalo Ramos (Paris Saint‑Germain)
- Cristiano Ronaldo (Al‑Nassr)
The coach praised the tactical flexibility of Dalot, Cancelo and Nunes, noting that their ability to fill multiple defensive roles justified the inclusion of five full‑backs.
Tournament Schedule and Preparations
Portugal, the reigning UEFA Nations League champions, opens its Group K campaign against the Democratic Republic of Congo on 17 June 2025 in Houston. Subsequent group matches are scheduled as follows:
- 23 June – vs. Uzbekistan (Houston)
- 27 June – vs. Colombia (Miami)
The World Cup runs from 11 June to 19 July 2025 across venues in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Prior to the opener, Portugal will warm up against Chile on 6 June in Oeiras and Nigeria on 10 June in Leiria. FIFA requires the squad to be based in a training camp in Palm Beach, Florida, at least five days before the first match.
Context and Significance
Cristiano Ronaldo’s participation marks a historic milestone: he will become the first male player to appear in six World Cup editions, extending a record that already includes five tournaments (2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022). His continued selection at 41 underscores both his personal longevity and the trust placed in him by Martínez and the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).
The tribute to Diogo Jota reflects a broader trend in international football where teams honor deceased teammates or friends through symbolic gestures—such as wearing armbands, observing moments of silence, or, as in this case, incorporating a “plus one” into squad announcements. Such actions reinforce team cohesion and remind players of the values that extend beyond the pitch.
For further details, see the official FPF announcement (FPF – Portugal World Cup Squad 2025) and FIFA’s tournament regulations (FIFA World Cup 2025 Regulations).
