Ronaldo Leads Portugal’s 27-Man Squad for 2026 World Cup as Friendly Against Nigeria Looms

Portugal manager Roberto Martínez has unveiled his 27-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo once again headlining the Seleção.

The tournament, which will be hosted across Canada, United States, and Mexico, will see Portugal compete in Group K alongside Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uzbekistan, and Colombia.

Martínez’s squad features a blend of experienced stars and younger talents, including several Premier League players such as Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Neto, Rúben Dias, and José Sá.

Before their World Cup campaign begins, Portugal will face the Nigeria national football team in an international friendly on June 10 at Dr. Magalhães Pessoa Stadium. The match is expected to feature both Ronaldo and Fernandes, offering Nigerian fans a chance to see two of Portugal’s biggest stars in action.

Nigeria coach Eric Chelle has already confirmed he will name his strongest available squad for the fixture, setting the stage for a high-profile test for the Super Eagles.

Opinion

Cristiano Ronaldo’s inclusion shows that, even at this stage of his career, his influence on Portugal remains immense. While debates continue about whether younger players should take center stage, Martínez clearly still sees the five-time Ballon d’Or winner as a key figure both on and off the pitch.

Portugal’s squad looks balanced, combining elite midfield quality with strong attacking options. Players like Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, and Rafael Leão provide enough creativity to make them dangerous against any opponent in the tournament.

For Nigeria, the pre-World Cup friendly is more than just a warm-up game. Facing a side packed with global stars offers the Super Eagles a valuable opportunity to test themselves against top-level opposition and build momentum for future competitive fixtures.