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March 23, 2026
At 41, Ronaldo is edging closer to something no player has ever done, a sixth World Cup appearance. With Portugal already qualified for 2026, the focus shifts from if to how he fits, as form, fitness, and timing become the real factors shaping his final chapter...
Cristiano Ronaldo's pursuit of a sixth FIFA World Cup appearance has moved from speculation to genuine possibility, with Portugal now confirmed among the 48 nations heading to the United States, Canada, and Mexico this summer. At 41, the Al-Nassr forward remains a regular in Roberto Martinez's plans and shows no sign of stepping aside voluntarily. Portugal qualified comfortably from their UEFA group, finishing ahead of Scotland and Poland. Martinez has leaned on a mix of experienced heads and emerging talent throughout the campaign, but Ronaldo's name has appeared on every squad list since the 2024 European Championship. His 135 international goals remain a record no active player is close to matching.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Middle of the night
The scale of interest surrounding Ronaldo's potential swansong has not gone unnoticed beyond the pitch. Speaking to Gambling.com, home of expert coverage across sports betting markets and online casino slots, the commercial ripple effect is already visible. "Portugal's visibility in global markets doubles when Ronaldo is confirmed in the squad," a spokesperson noted. "The expanded format means more fixtures and a longer window for that attention to build."
The North American setting could amplify the effect further. "You are looking at prime-time kick-offs for European audiences and daytime matches across the Americas. Ronaldo at 41, in what could be his final tournament, is the kind of narrative that reaches people who do not normally follow football."
The bigger question for Martinez is not whether Ronaldo deserves a place, but how he fits within a squad that now includes younger forwards like Rafael Leao, Goncalo Ramos, and Pedro Neto. Portugal's strength in depth means the starting eleven practically picks itself in midfield and defence, with Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, and Ruben Dias all expected to feature prominently.
Ronaldo's role may look different from previous tournaments. At the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he started every match before Portugal's quarter-final exit against Morocco. At Euro 2024, his influence was more measured, though he still provided key moments in the group stage. A reduced role in 2026, perhaps as a rotation option or impact substitute, would not diminish the significance of the achievement.
His club form at Al-Nassr offers mixed evidence. Ronaldo has continued to score consistently in the Saudi Pro League, finishing among the top scorers again this season. Critics point to the level of opposition. Supporters argue that sustained fitness and goal output at 41 speak for themselves. Martinez has shown no indication of moving on from his captain.
The expanded 48-team format also works in Ronaldo's favour. More matches and a longer tournament mean deeper squad rotation. A manager does not need every forward available for seven games. He needs reliable options across a five-week schedule, and Ronaldo's experience in tournament football is unmatched by anyone in the current squad.
If he takes the pitch at any point during the 2026 World Cup, Ronaldo will become the first player in history to appear at six editions of the tournament. Only Antonio Carvajal, Gianluigi Buffon, Lothar Matthaus, and Rafael Marquez have previously reached five. None were outfield players still competing for goals at that stage of their career.
Martinez has been careful not to make promises, but he has repeatedly praised Ronaldo's professionalism and physical condition. "When a player of this level continues to perform, there is no reason to close the door," the manager said after Portugal's qualifying win over Poland in November.
The door, for now, remains open...
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Portugal is on March 29, against Mexico, for the Friendly International. You can watch Mexico vs Portugal, Italy vs N. Ireland, Spain vs Serbia, England vs Uruguay, Brazil vs France and Ukraine vs Sweden, all matches provided from our football live game pages.
Portugal next game:
Mexico vs Portugal kick-off time (29-03-2026):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 10:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+5.30: 07:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+3: 05:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+1: 03:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+0: 02:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 23:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 22:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 18:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / uefa.com / fifa.com
