Ronaldo Out, New Generation In: Portugal's World Cup Squad Signals a Shift

For the first time since 2018, Cristiano Ronaldo will not be part of a Portugal squad. Coach Roberto Martinez confirmed on Friday that the 41-year-old Al Nassr captain has been excluded from the March training camp due to a right hamstring injury sustained on 28 February, marking the most significant absence from Portuguese football in a generation.

Portugal will face Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on 29 March and the United States in Atlanta on 31 March in their final warm-up fixtures before the 2026 World Cup kicks off in June.

Martinez Downplays Concerns

The coach moved quickly to reassure the nation that Ronaldo's World Cup participation is not in jeopardy. "No, he's not in danger," Martinez said at the Cidade de Futebol in Oeiras. "It's a minor muscle injury, and we think he can be back in a week or two. Everything Cristiano has done physically this season shows that he's in great shape."

The world record holder for international appearances (226) and goals (143) has not missed a Portugal squad since the inaugural Nations League group stage in 2018, when then-coach Fernando Santos released him to settle at Juventus.

Fresh Faces and Tactical Options

Ronaldo's absence opens the door for Martinez to experiment. Real Sociedad winger Goncalo Guedes earns his first call-up since 2022, while West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes receives a maiden senior selection after 18 under-21 caps.

The 27-man squad is notable for other omissions too. Manchester City's Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva were left out to manage their physical workload during a gruelling club season, a decision that underlines the depth Martinez believes he has at his disposal.

Up front, Martinez retains a wealth of options. Goncalo Ramos of Paris Saint-Germain, who has been in strong form this season, will likely lead the line. Joao Felix, Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto, Francisco Conceicao and Francisco Trincao provide attacking firepower that few national teams can match.

World Cup Group K Awaits

Portugal has been drawn into Group K alongside co-hosts Mexico and the United States, Colombia, and Uzbekistan. The group stage will be played across venues in the US, Mexico and Canada beginning in June.

The March friendlies against two of their group opponents offer a rare chance to scout the opposition at close quarters. Martinez will want his players to use the fixtures as a tactical rehearsal, particularly given the challenges of playing in North American conditions during summer.

A Country Watching Closely

For Portuguese fans and the substantial diaspora communities in North America who are already planning trips to the World Cup, Ronaldo's fitness will dominate the conversation for weeks to come. The player himself has remained characteristically confident on social media, posting training footage from Riyadh that suggests his recovery is on track.

But these friendlies may prove more significant than typical warm-up matches. They will offer the clearest indication yet of whether Portugal can function as a cohesive unit without their talisman, and whether the next generation is ready to carry the weight. On the intercity-mobility side, our 2026 guide to long-distance buses (Rede Expressos, FlixBus, Sete Rios, the Terminal Intermodal de Campanhã and EVA Transportes) sets the latest reference.