How far can Portugal go at the 2026 World Cup? | OneFootball

The Portuguese national football team won the fourth edition of the UEFA Nations League in June this year. They also had a strong performance in the 2024 Euros, losing in a penalty shootout after drawing against France in the quarter-finals. They lost also at the QF stage in the 2022 FIFA World Cup to Morocco. Now, the Portuguese squad is looking forward to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

What are their chances of winning the biggest prize in football this time? How far can they go? GGBet and other bookmakers announced Portugal to be the seventh team on the list of potential world champions. Let’s break it down.

Ronaldo’s last opportunity to become a world champion

Cristiano Ronaldo is still passionate about football, longing for more titles and trophies. The 2026 World Cup is going to be his last tournament as part of the national team. Ronaldo still has a lot of energy to lead the squad. His presence on the field attracts global attention and he remains an asset for the team. Ronaldo scored in both the semi-final and the final of the Nations League triumph in Munich two months ago. The 2026 World Cup is going to be his last opportunity to lift the coveted trophy. Considering Ronaldo’s passionate nature, he will be fighting for the best result until the end. A huge legion of fans worldwide yearn to see him win the World Cup before ending his professional career.

Young and old combine in a new era for the Portugal squad

Portugal is entering a new era. It may be Cristiano Ronaldo’s last hurrah, but brilliant younger players such as PSG trio Vitinha, Nuno Mendes and João Neves are also putting their stamp on the world game. And while Ronaldo may no longer play every minute of every game for the Seleção, there are several other leaders who can equally motivate the players. Bruno Fernandes, Rúben Dias and Bernardo Silva are experienced campaigners but remain in their prime. The right combination of young and more experienced players increases Portugal’s chances of success.

A new coach with a new style

Fernando Santos built a strong and stable team, obtained brilliant results initially but Portugal became stale and predictable towards the end of his tenure. His conservative style of play sometimes limited the players’ natural attacking instincts and flair. After the 2022 World Cup, Santos was replaced by former Belgium manager Roberto Martínez. Known for a more expansive approach and tactical flexibility, Martínez can help the team unleash its full attacking potential. The Spaniard has often managed to implement a more dynamic style. Will Martinez’s strategy click at the knockout stage of the World Cup? Time will show.

Challenges at the group stage

During the World Cup, 48 teams will compete across three host nations: the USA, Canada, and Mexico. While this increases the number of games and potential matchups, it also brings more variables in the early stages.

Portugal will need to start strong. With a high FIFA ranking, the national team is likely to be seeded favourably. But no group is easy at a World Cup, and historically Portugal have sometimes slipped up when facing apparently easier opposition. A solid start without hiccups will provide a solid platform for Portugal to shine in the do-or-die phase of the competition. The knockouts are often about moments like one moment of magic, one unfortunate offside or one penalty shootout. Portugal have the tools to ride these crucial moments.

How far can Portugal go in the 2026 World Cup?

Portugal has a strong team and it is not fanciful to suggest they might reach the semi-finals or even the final. This national team no longer enter major tournaments as underdogs, or even dark horses. Despite the key role of Cristiano Ronaldo, the national team is now focused on a new generation of players, who demonstrate great potential. To go far in the 2026 World Cup, the whole squad of players, the greatest footballer ever to play for Portugal, the strategies devised by Martínez, and a touch of luck need to click all at once. Fans far beyond the Iberian nation itself are all excitedly anticipating what could be a historic outcome!