Portugal has officially announced its squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and while Cristiano Ronaldo’s inclusion was expected, it still manages to make history.

Head coach Roberto Martínez unveiled the 27-man roster (one player will be cut) that will represent Portugal at next summer’s tournament across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Ronaldo, now 41, is set to appear in his sixth World Cup, an achievement no player has ever reached before.

The 2026 edition joins an extraordinary list in Ronaldo’s career: Germany 2006, South Africa 2010, Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

Ronaldo sets a World Cup record

With his selection, the Madeira-born superstar becomes the first player in soccer history to be called up for six different World Cups. The only player who could eventually match the feat is Lionel Messi, if Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni also includes him in the defending champions’ squad.

Ronaldo’s longevity at the highest level continues to defy expectations. More than two decades after making his international debut, he remains a central figure for Portugal heading into what is widely expected to be his final major international tournament.

Ronaldo’s numbers with Portugal remain unmatched

The Portuguese forward enters the World Cup with staggering numbers for his national team.

Ronaldo has played 226 international matches for Portugal and scored 143 goals, both all-time records in men’s international soccer. Messi, by comparison, has 116 goals in 198 appearances for Argentina.

Across his previous five World Cup appearances, Ronaldo has scored eight goals. With the 2026 tournament expanding to 48 teams and more matches than ever before, he will have another opportunity to add to that total.

Portugal’s 2026 World Cup squad

Goalkeepers

Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rui Silva, Ricardo Velho

Defenders

Diogo Dalot, Matheus Nunes, Nélson Semedo, João Cancelo, Nuno Mendes, Gonçalo Inácio, Renato Veiga, Rúben Dias, Tomás Araújo

Midfielders

Rúben Neves, Samu Costa, João Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva

Forwards

João Félix, Francisco Trincão, Francisco Conceição, Pedro Neto, Rafael Leão, Gonçalo Guedes, Gonçalo Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo

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