The World Cup schedule has been confirmed along with the venues where each of the 48 teams will play their matches, and Portugal is among the countries drawing the most attention due to the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who is approaching what is expected to be his final World Cup.

Portugal’s schedule has now been set, and one of the biggest surprises in the arrangements announced by FIFA this Saturday is the list of venues where the Portuguese star will appear. Miami features on the list, which has taken many by surprise.

Although it was widely believed that Argentina and Lionel Messi would play in Miami, FIFA has ultimately decided that Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal will be the team based there. This will be for the match between Colombia and Portugal on Saturday, 27 June at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, a venue that has recently hosted major events such as the Club World Cup and the Copa America final.

Alongside Miami, the Portuguese national team will also be based in Houston for the tournament, meaning that during the group stage the team will only travel between these two cities.

Related stories

MLS

Lionel Messi extends record trophy haul

LaLiga EA Sports

Alonso set to make changes vs Celta

Ronaldo’s first match of the World Cup will take place on Wednesday, 17 June, against the winner of the intercontinental play-off between Jamaica, Congo and New Caledonia. He will then play at NRG Stadium against Uzbekistan on Tuesday, 23 June, before travelling to Miami for the final match of the group stage.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.