According to Sky Sports, the Portugal team, led by Ronaldo, is one of the strongest squads for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Reporter Adam Bate spoke with former Sporting CP coach Carlos Carvalhal to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Roberto Martinez's team and discuss whether Portugal can write an inspiring championship story.
PSG have won the Champions League for two consecutive years, and their standout Portuguese players are not limited to Vitinha, João Neves, and Nuno Mendes. Roberto Martinez also has this season's Premier League Player of the Year, Bruno Fernandes, and midfield maestro Bernardo Silva. Up front, the Portuguese captain remains Cristiano Ronaldo.
Therefore, this team is not a golden generation in the traditional sense, as its players span different eras, with a full 20-year age gap between João Neves and Ronaldo. What Martinez needs to do is integrate players from different age groups. If managed properly, Portugal is fully capable of winning this FIFA World Cup.
"From an objective competitive standpoint and in terms of squad composition, our Portuguese team now has an excellent opportunity to challenge for the FIFA World Cup title—a rare and valuable window of opportunity," Carvalhal stated frankly in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports.
"But I will not be overly optimistic and claim that we are the favorites to win this FIFA World Cup. Across the entire FIFA World Cup, there are several top teams with extremely strong overall capabilities and deep squads. I would never firmly believe that our strength can consistently overpower these strong competitors, but at the same time, I am also very clear that there is no significant gap between our Portuguese team's overall competitive level and that of any top team; we are fully confident in competing with our opponents."
The former Premier League coach, who previously managed Braga, now serves as a FIFA World Cup commentator for Portuguese television. He strongly praises the team's blend of youth and experience. "You can see the humility in Vitinha and João Neves; the team atmosphere is very harmonious."
Under Fernando Santos's management, Portugal won the 2016 European Championship, but outsiders always felt his tactics were somewhat conservative and that the team could have unlocked greater potential. Martinez has shown that Portugal can play a more aggressive style of football.
"The head coach has built this attacking system, and the players all have a very strong understanding of the game. Look at the three main midfielders; I think Vitinha, João Neves, and Bruno Fernandes will form the midfield trio, and all three have a deep grasp of the essence of football."
"And then there is Bernardo; I think he will play more as an inverted winger on the right. These four players on the pitch alone have a top-tier understanding of the game, comparable to that of professors teaching at a university."
"We have a host of top players, along with an excellent coach, which means the team can switch positions flexibly, make penetrating runs, play impactful football, and maintain firm control of the tempo. I believe we can achieve this. My expectations are not extremely high, but they are definitely above average," Carvalhal said.
The Ronaldo Dilemma Is a Core Team Issue
Among this star-studded squad, Gonçalo Ramos is the fourth Portuguese international playing for PSG, but one player's presence overshadows all others. At 41 years old, Ronaldo remains a focal point of discussion, even though Martinez has consistently shown unwavering trust in the legendary striker.
During the previous FIFA World Cup knockout-stage match against Switzerland, Gonçalo Ramos came on as a substitute and scored a hat-trick, leading some to believe he would replace Ronaldo in the starting lineup. However, the young forward failed to score in the match in which the team was eliminated by Morocco, and the then-coach was subsequently dismissed.
Yet, Ronaldo remains committed to the national team. He has scored 25 goals in his last 30 appearances for Portugal, validating Martinez's trust in him, while the team has also adopted a more pragmatic approach to adjustments, recognizing that tactical compromises must be made for him.
At the 2024 European Championship, Ronaldo played the full 120 minutes in two consecutive knockout matches. However, in last year's UEFA Nations League finals, he was substituted after scoring, and Portugal went on to defeat hosts Germany and reigning European champions Spain in succession, ultimately claiming the title.
This may suggest that the team has reached a consensus: Ronaldo does not need to play every minute. "I don't think the overall arrangement will change much," Carvalhal said. "He remains crucial for Portugal. I am 100% sure that Ronaldo will start all group stage matches at the FIFA World Cup."
He explained: "The coach knows that Cristiano is extremely eager to create his own legacy and is determined to lift the World Cup trophy. The coach also understands his influence on the other players in the team; his fighting spirit can motivate everyone in the squad.
But with five consecutive knockout matches to play in just over two weeks, can Ronaldo play the full duration? In terms of physical condition alone, I think the coach can manage Ronaldo's playing time more reasonably, rather than necessarily having him play the full match, to ensure he is in better condition for the next game."
Carvalhal added: "Theoretically, he might only play 60 to 70 minutes. But this would require Ronaldo to accept such an arrangement. In reality, if Ronaldo feels he is in excellent form and wants to play 90 minutes in every match to help the team win the championship, he will certainly insist on doing so."
Another potential concern for the team is a possible lack of pace in central defense. "We must be wary of defensive vulnerabilities during transitions," Carvalhal admitted. "In most matches, we will have a lot of possession, and once we lose the ball, the transition from attack to defense becomes very dangerous."
There are many teams in this FIFA World Cup with extremely fast players. If our tactical balance is flawed, we will be severely punished by our opponents. In past tournaments, our transition from attack to defense was poor, and this must be improved, especially since our attacking strength is already outstanding."
Portugal's journey to victory will carry special significance.
If Portugal wins its first FIFA World Cup, the honor will carry exceptionally deep emotion, as the team previously suffered the loss of Diogo Jota. The UEFA Nations League finals was his last match; he unfortunately passed away afterwards, and the national team has since commemorated him in various ways.
When the team announced its FIFA World Cup squad, it specifically included an additional player on the list, signifying that the spirit of Diogo Jota will accompany the entire team as Portugal strives to make history. Portugal has won several international titles, but their best FIFA World Cup performance remains a third-place finish in 1966, with Eusébio leading the team.
Portugal is in Group K, alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia, and is widely tipped to go far in the tournament. "I prefer to remain calm," Carvalhal said. But with such a strong squad, it is hard not to have high expectations.