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April 15, 2026
Portugal head into the 2026 World Cup with momentum and expectation, but history suggests the path to glory may be tougher than it looks. With Cristiano Ronaldo nearing the end and new format challenges ahead, this tournament could test Portugal’s limits more than ever...
Footballing dynasties aren’t meant to last. Italy, once considered one of Europe’s strongest teams, last won the World Cup in 2006 in Berlin, defeating France 5-3 on penalties. The Azurri then virtually disappeared from international football. Italy exited in the group stage in 2010 and 2014, and failed to qualify for the three most recent renewals. Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal have lived the mirror-opposite fate. The side will contest their seventh straight World Cup in June, beginning with a match against Congo DR in Houston. It could be an especially bitter tournament for CR7, though.
Cristiano Ronaldo - Ready to the 2026 World Cup
The flags aren’t up yet, but excitement is growing steadily for the 23rd instalment of the World Cup. Official sponsors Lay's and Coca-Cola have already debuted new marketing campaigns (Uncanned Emotions and Fan of the Match, respectively).
Similarly, sports betting company Paddy Power has added the Stadium Megaways game to its online slots library.
The biggest news in the lead-up to the contest is that it might be Ronaldo’s last (we’ve been fooled before). Unfortunately, as the World Cup still eludes the Al-Nassr superstar, a Portuguese win is critical for Ronaldo’s trophy cabinet.
The Madeira-born player has achieved just about everything else the game has to offer in a career that’s lasted 24 years so far.
Portugal's World Cup record is surprisingly brief. The team qualified just twice between 1930 and 1998, achieving a third-place finish in 1966 in England and an exit during the group stage in Mexico in 1986.
Portugal didn't find their collective feet until Korea and Japan in 2002. As almost a debut for the side, they finished 21st.
The latter result represents Portugal’s weakest in history, and they would only fall at the group stage once more, in 2014.
That leaves us with Portugal’s best four performances at the World Cup. Based purely on the numbers, they suggest Cristiano Ronaldo's dream win in the US, Mexico, and Canada might be difficult to achieve.
In the World Cup that Italy won in 2006, Portugal finished fourth, losing 0-1 in the Munich semi-final to France. They would stumble in the third-place match against Germany.
Relative newcomer Bastian Schweinsteiger scored a brace in a 3-1 win for the hosts, as Portugal’s Nuno Gomes got the only reply.
Two round of sixteen finishes in 2010 and 2018 leave us with Portugal's most recent World Cup appearance - Qatar 2022. This one offers promise for a career-defining moment for Ronaldo. Portugal finished as quarter-finalists.
World Cup 2026 opens with Mexico v South Africa and the Korea Republic v Czechia on June 11. Portugal will have to wait until the following Wednesday for their first fixture.
The side have a relatively easy run to the round of 32 (the only major hazard in their group is Colombia), but the extra stage in the expanded format adds a fresh hurdle. As of mid-April, Portugal are a strong 12/1 outsider.
Cristiano Ronaldo next game for Al Nassr is on April 15, against Al Ittifaq, for the Saudi Super League. You can watch Al Nassr vs Al Ittifaq, Bayern Munchen vs Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid vs Barcelona, Aston Villa vs Bologna, Arsenal vs Sporting and Liverpool vs PSG, all matches provided from our football live game pages.
Al Nassr next game:
Al Nassr vs Al Ittifaq kick-off time (15-04-2026):
Beijing (China) | UTC/GMT+8: 02:00
India (New Delhi) | UTC/GMT+5.30: 23:30
Saudi Arabia (Riyadh) | UTC/GMT+4: 22:00
Spain (Madrid) | UTC/GMT+2: 20:00
Portugal and England (Lisbon/London) | UTC/GMT+1: 19:00
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | UTC/GMT-3: 15:00
New York (United States) | UTC/GMT-4: 14:00
Los Angeles (United States) | UTC/GMT-7: 11:00
Sources: ronaldo7.net / fifa.com / espn.co.uk
