Diogo Jota honoured as Portugal squad announced for World Cup qualifiers | OneFootball

Seleção coach Roberto Martínez has announced the squad for Portugal’s first two World Cup qualifiers, away to Armenia and Hungary next week.

There are no surprises with the only absentees in relation to the squad selected for the triumphant Nations League tournament in June being the injured Rafael Leão, Porto’s Rodrigo Mora, who has barely played this season, in addition to Diogo Jota, who tragically lost his life in a car accident in July.

Before the squad was announced, Martínez explained that Jota’s No21 shirt would be worn from now onwards by his close friend Rúben Neves in honour of Jota.

“It was not a decision made by the coach or by the Portuguese Football Federation. It was the decision of Diogo Jota’s family,” said Martínez.

“We know what Diogo represented for each one of us, the impact he had on our lives. We want to honour his memory every day. He will be with us and he will give us extra strength to achieve our targets.

“Diogo Jota’s example is a light for us. We will carry his spirit in our heart. We will win for Diogo, for his brother, André, and as always for all the Portuguese people.

“In this squad announcement on the road to the FIFA World Cup 2026 the number of players is 23 plus one - Diogo Jota.”

Portugal play Armenia, in Yerevan, on Saturday 6 September, before travelling to Budapest where to face Hungary three days later.

Full Portugal squad for World Cup qualifiers against Armenia and Hungary

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting CP), José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers)