Portugal Now · SeleçãoRonaldo's final World Cup. Portugal's next chapter.
A new coach, a title to defend and a team still shaped by its number 7. Portugal return after a painful World Cup exit with six Nations League matches that will reveal how the old guard and the next generation fit together.
Portugal
Where Portugal stand now
Editorial briefingPortugal's 2026 World Cup contained both the familiar and the unresolved. They recovered from a 1–1 opening draw with DR Congo to beat Uzbekistan 5–0, then drew 0–0 with Colombia. Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice against Uzbekistan and again as Portugal came from behind to beat Croatia 2–1 in the round of 32. The run ended with a 1–0 round-of-16 defeat to Spain.
That result closed Roberto Martínez's tenure and began a new cycle under Jorge Jesus. Portugal enter it as defending Nations League champions, with the same immediate pressure that follows every talented squad: the team must honour what Ronaldo has built while making room for the players who will carry it beyond him.
Portugal's 2026 World Cup
Five matches · filter the chart| Form | Stage | Score | Opponent |
|---|---|---|---|
| D | Group KJune 17 | 1–1 | DR Congo |
| W | Group KJune 23 | 5–0 | Uzbekistan |
| D | Group KJune 27 | 0–0 | Colombia |
| W | Round of 32July 2 | 2–1 | Croatia |
| L | Round of 16July 6 | 0–1 | Spain |
Goals scored and conceded
Five-match World Cup picture.
World Cup results: FIFA's tournament calendar and Croatia match report. Totals are calculated from the five scores above.
Portugal's next six matches
UEFA Nations League A4Portugal begin the defence of their Nations League title at home to Wales. Four matches arrive in eleven days before the final two fixtures in November. The schedule gives Jorge Jesus little time for a slow introduction.
Fixture dates and venues: FPF schedule, cross-checked against UEFA's calendar. Times above are local to each venue.
The Ronaldo question is now a national question
Six World Cups · three senior titlesWhat remains after the final World Cup?
Ronaldo said the 2026 tournament was his last World Cup. That closes a six-edition story, while leaving a separate question for the new coach: whether and how the captain fits into Portugal's Nations League and EURO 2028 cycle.
2006–2026
a men's record
EURO 2016 + two Nations Leagues
World Cup campaign
2026 · The final World Cup
Three goals across the tournament, including the equaliser against Croatia. After the loss to Spain, Ronaldo said it was his last World Cup.
Ronaldo's importance cannot be reduced to minutes or goals. He was 19 when Portugal lost the EURO 2004 final at home, captained the team to its first senior title in 2016, scored the second equaliser in the 2025 Nations League final and added three World Cup goals in 2026. The hard decision for Portugal is how to preserve that competitive standard without delaying the team's tactical development.
Ronaldo's World Cup record: FIFA's edition-by-edition record, updated here with his July 2 goal against Croatia. His statement about his final World Cup appears in FIFA's July 6 report.
Four questions Jorge Jesus must answer
Editorial analysis
Which role maximises his finishing?
The useful question is where and when Portugal want Ronaldo's decisive actions. A clear role can protect his penalty-area threat without forcing every phase through him.
Who controls the space behind the attack?
Vitinha, João Neves and Bruno Fernandes offer different strengths. The balance must let full-backs advance while keeping enough protection against transitions.
How does Portugal stretch a deep defence?
Nuno Mendes can create width and acceleration from the left. On the opposite side, Portugal need coordinated positions rather than several creators entering the same central space.
Can change happen without losing standards?
The squad does not need to choose between one era and the next in a single night. It needs a repeatable way to transfer responsibility while competitive expectations stay high.
Players shaping Portugal's next cycle
Roles to watchThe role assessments below are an editorial watchlist, not a confirmed squad or injury report. The FPF's next announcement will determine selection. Nuno Mendes' 2025 award is recorded by UEFA.
Cristiano Ronaldo
His movement and finishing remain the reference point. The next squad announcement will clarify whether the Nations League is part of his international plan.
Bruno Fernandes
Bruno can connect midfield to the box and set the first line of pressure. His position affects the space available to every forward.
Vitinha
Portugal need his ability to receive, turn and move the game away from pressure when knockout matches become tight.
Nuno Mendes
His duel-winning and forward running give Portugal width without removing a creator from midfield.
João Neves
He offers a route to a younger midfield while already understanding the tempo required at the highest level.
Gonçalo Ramos
His pressing and runs beyond the line provide a different striker profile and make the centre-forward role a tactical choice.
Road to UEFA EURO 2028
Two competitions, one transitionFirst defend the Nations League. Then qualify for EURO 2028.
Portugal's immediate test is a League A group they enter as defending champions. EURO 2028 qualifying begins in 2027; the draw is scheduled for December 6, 2026. These six autumn matches therefore matter as both a title defence and the first evidence of how the new team will be built.
EURO 2028: UEFA's qualification format and December 6 qualifying draw announcement.
What Portugal have already won
The trophy contextEuropean Championship
1UEFA EURO 2016Portugal's top continental title
Nations League
22019 and 2025First nation to win twice
World Cup
0Best finish: third in 1966Ronaldo's final edition: 2026
Portugal's most recent trophy is the 2025 UEFA Nations League. The main TrophyDrought counter tracks the World Cup and top continental championship, so it points to EURO 2016. Both dates matter when describing Portugal's honours.
Portugal and Ronaldo questions, answered
Quick answersWhen is Portugal's next match?
Portugal play Wales at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon on Thursday, September 24, 2026, with kick-off at 7:45 p.m. in mainland Portugal.
When is Ronaldo's next match for Portugal?
Portugal's next match is against Wales in Lisbon on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Cristiano Ronaldo has not yet been confirmed for the squad, so the date of his next appearance for Portugal is not officially known.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo still playing for Portugal?
Ronaldo said the 2026 tournament was his final World Cup. That statement did not by itself confirm retirement from every Portugal match. His place in the next squad must be confirmed by the Portuguese Football Federation.
Who is Portugal's head coach?
Jorge Jesus replaced Roberto Martínez after the 2026 World Cup. The Nations League opener against Wales is scheduled as his first competitive match.
How did Portugal perform at the 2026 World Cup?
Portugal finished second in Group K, beat Croatia 2–1 in the round of 32 and lost 1–0 to Spain in the round of 16.
How many World Cups did Cristiano Ronaldo play in?
Six: 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022 and 2026. He scored in every edition.
How many goals did Ronaldo score at the 2026 World Cup?
Three: two against Uzbekistan in the group stage and one against Croatia in the round of 32.
What is Portugal's Nations League group?
Portugal are in League A Group A4 with Wales, Norway and Denmark. The top two teams advance to the quarter-finals.
When did Portugal last win a trophy?
Portugal won the UEFA Nations League in June 2025. Their most recent European Championship title is EURO 2016.
Keep exploring
More from TrophyDroughtSources and update policy
Checked September 8, 2026Results and Ronaldo's World Cup status are checked against FIFA. The Nations League schedule and competition route are checked against the Portuguese Football Federation and UEFA. Tactical conclusions are TrophyDrought editorial analysis. Generated images illustrate those themes and are labelled accordingly.
- FIFA: Portugal's 2026 World Cup results
- FIFA: Ronaldo confirms his final World Cup · July 6, 2026
- FIFA: Portugal 2–1 Croatia match report · July 2, 2026
- Portuguese Football Federation: upcoming matches and new cycle
- UEFA: 2026/27 Nations League fixtures
- UEFA: Portugal's 2025 Nations League title
- UEFA: EURO 2016 final report
- UEFA: EURO 2028 qualification format
First edition: World Cup review, Ronaldo's final World Cup, the Jorge Jesus transition and Portugal's confirmed Nations League schedule. Squad selection remains subject to the next FPF announcement.