2026 World Cup: At 41, Cristiano Ronaldo will officially compete in his sixth World Cup

Unsurprisingly, Cristiano Ronaldo has been called up by the Portugal team to play in his sixth World Cup this summer at the age of 41 in North America, according to the 27-player list revealed on Tuesday by coach Roberto Martinez.

After being injured with his Saudi club Al-Nassr at the end of February, Cristiano Ronaldo had to withdraw from the friendly matches played by the Seleção in March against Mexico (0-0) and the United States (Portugal’s 2-0 win). The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has since returned to play for his club and is preparing to participate in his sixth World Cup, a record that could be matched by his great rival, Argentine Lionel Messi.

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The Madeira native, who has already played in six European championships, confirmed in November 2025 that the 2026 World Cup would be his last.

Four Parisians

Paris SG is the most represented club with four players: Joao Neves, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, and Gonçalo Ramos. However, Afonso Moreira, a standout performer this season with OL, was not selected.

During the tournament, which will take place from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Portugal has been drawn into Group K with Colombia, Uzbekistan, and DR Congo.

Before moving to their base camp in Palm Beach, Florida, the Seleção will play two preparatory matches at home, facing Chile on June 6 near Lisbon, and then against Nigeria on June 10 in Leiria (central Portugal).

List of 27 selected players for the Portugal team:

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Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton/ENG), Rui Silva (Sporting Portugal), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi Ankara/TUR)

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City/ENG), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahçe/TUR), Joao Cancelo (FC Barcelona/ESP), Nuno Mendes (PSG/FRA), Gonçalo Inacio (Sporting Portugal), Renato Veiga (Villarreal/ESP), Ruben Dias (Manchester City/ENG), Tomas Araujo (Benfica Lisbon)

Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal/KSA), Samu Costa (Mallorca/ESP), Joao Neves (PSG/FRA), Vitinha (PSG/FRA), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG)

Forwards: Joao Felix (Al Nassr/KSA), Francisco Trincao (Sporting Portugal), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus Turin/ITA), Pedro Neto (Chelsea/ENG), Rafael Leao (AC Milan/ITA), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad/ESP), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG/FRA), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr/KSA)