KUPANG – Football enthusiasts across the globe are eagerly awaiting the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will officially kick off on June 12, 2026 (local time).

This grand tournament will take place in North America, hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico, and the United States, featuring 48 of the world’s best national teams from every continent.

In Canada, the matches will be held in Toronto and Vancouver. Mexico will host games in Guadalajara, Mexico City, and Monterrey.

Meanwhile, in the United States, the venues include Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Seattle.

Among the fans from Malaka Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province, one devoted supporter, Gonza Bria, has placed his hopes on Portugal’s national team to shine differently at the 2026 World Cup.

According to Gonza Bria, the composition of Portugal’s national team for the 2026 World Cup is unlike any previous edition. The squad will feature an impressive array of stars currently playing for top European clubs.

He mentioned names such as Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, and Joao Neves—fresh off their UEFA Champions League 2026 triumph—along with Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Portugal’s national team is said to be entering a golden generation ahead of the 2026 World Cup. With a mix of young talents and experienced stars, Portugal has emerged as one of the favourites to compete for the world championship title.

The depth and balance across all positions make the Selecao das Quinas a highly competitive force on football’s biggest stage.

Portugal’s head coach, Roberto Martinez, has announced a 27-man squad for the 2026 World Cup.

The team will be led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo and bolstered by other top players such as Joao Felix, Ruben Dias, and Bernardo Silva.

Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo has again been called up by Martinez to represent the Selecao das Quinas, marking what could be his final appearance at a World Cup.

Ronaldo, who has amassed 226 international caps and scored 143 goals for Portugal, is set to play in his sixth World Cup.

In total, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star has featured in 22 World Cup matches, scoring 8 goals.

Aside from Ronaldo, Portugal boasts several other world-class players for the 2026 tournament.

Paris Saint-Germain midfield duo Joao Neves and Vitinha are expected to anchor the midfield, working alongside Bernardo Silva and Ruben Neves.

In defence, the likes of Joao Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Ruben Dias, and Nuno Mendes have all earned Martinez’s trust and call-up.

Portugal will compete in Group K at the 2026 World Cup alongside DR Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia. On paper, Portugal are the favourites to top the group and advance to the knockout stages.

“A favourite team? I’ve been practising my Portuguese, but being labelled as favourites hasn’t really matched Portugal’s World Cup history so far,” said Roberto Martinez in an interview with the official website of the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF).

“The World Cup is not only about playing beautifully or showcasing talent. It’s about overcoming numerous challenges, including psychological ones.”

“Only teams that have previously won the World Cup can truly be called favourites. Perhaps ‘strong contenders’ is a more accurate description of where we stand right now,” added the former Everton and Belgium national team coach.

Portugal National Team Squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, José Sá, Rui Silva, Ricardo Velho

Defenders: Tomás Araújo, João Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Rúben Dias, Gonçalo Inácio, Nuno Mendes, Matheus Nunes, Nélson Semedo, Renato Veiga

Midfielders: Samuel Costa, Bruno Fernandes, João Neves, Rúben Neves, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha

Forwards: Francisco Conceição, João Félix, Gonçalo Guedes, Rafael Leão, Pedro Neto, Gonçalo Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo, Francisco Trincão

Portugal’s Group K Fixtures at the 2026 FIFA World Cup:

Wednesday, 17 June 2026 – Portugal vs DR Congo
Monday, 23 June 2026 – Portugal vs Uzbekistan
Saturday, 27 June 2026 – Colombia vs Portugal