The news is out: Cristiano Ronaldo will participate in his sixth FIFA World Cup in 2026. The official announcement was made this Monday, May 19th, by the Portuguese Football Federation.
The 41-year-old Portuguese striker continues to defy time and critics, proving that he remains an essential part of the national team. Roberto Martinez, the Portuguese coach, has included Ronaldo in his list of 27 players who will represent Portugal at the competition to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
"He's one of the greatest players in history," said Vitinha, a midfielder for the Portuguese team, to FIFA. "I'm very proud to share the locker room with him, to learn from him, and to witness his professionalism every day. I hope we can win the World Cup with him and for him."
This participation will mark a record for Ronaldo, who will become the first player in history to play in six World Cup final stages. He thus surpasses legends like Lothar Matthäus, Antonio Carbajal, and Rafael Márquez, who participated in five editions. Despite his advanced age for a footballer, Ronaldo remains a leading figure in his team, both on the field and in the locker room.
In addition to Ronaldo, Portugal's list also includes players such as Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, João Neves, and Gonçalo Ramos, all playing for Paris Saint-Germain. Manchester City's Rúben Dias leads the defense, with João Cancelo and Nuno Mendes providing support from the full-back positions. Bruno Fernandes, the captain of Manchester United, is also a key element of the team.
Portugal is considered one of the favorites to win the 2026 World Cup, thanks to the depth of its squad and the quality of its players. For Ronaldo, this will likely be his last chance to win the world title, the only major trophy missing from his record.
"We just want to win," Vitinha admitted, emphasizing the team's ambition. The road to victory will not be easy, but with Ronaldo at its head, Portugal hopes to make history.
The announcement of the Portuguese list was made this morning at 8 a.m. ET in the United States and was broadcast on the official channels of the Portuguese Football Federation. Fans around the world are eagerly waiting to see Ronaldo set foot on North American soil for what could be his last major international challenge.
Should Portugal win the World Cup, it would be a resounding achievement, which some believe is possible even if Ronaldo were to play a less central role.
