Roberto Martínez, the Portugal national team manager, is set to announce his squad this Friday for upcoming friendly matches against Mexico and the United States, according to reports from RTP and CMJornal. The announcement, scheduled for 12:30 local time at the City of Football in Oeiras, is particularly significant as it represents the final squad assessment before the 2026 World Cup.
A key absence from the expected lineup is captain Cristiano Ronaldo, currently sidelined due to injury while playing for Al Nassr since February 28th. His condition makes participation in the matches against Mexico on March 28th and the United States on March 31st in Atlanta unlikely, as reported by Marca. This marks only the second time Ronaldo has been omitted from a Portugal squad since the finish of 2018, when former manager Fernando Santos excused him to aid his adaptation to Juventus.
Nelson Semedo, also recovering from injury sustained while playing for Fenerbahçe, is also anticipated to be absent from the squad. Martínez is expected to utilize this opportunity to evaluate potential alternatives, particularly in offensive positions, with a focus on identifying a third forward option ahead of the World Cup, as he indicated in a January interview with Lusa. Fábio Silva, André Silva and Ricardo Horta are potential candidates to receive call-ups, alongside Chermiti, Pablo Felipe, and Paulinho, who currently plays in Mexico.
The selection of matches in North America is also viewed as a strategic move by Martínez to acclimate the team to the conditions they will encounter during the 2026 World Cup, specifically regarding altitude and humidity, according to RTP.
Several players are poised for potential inclusion or return to the national team. Matheus Fernandes of West Ham is a strong contender for a debut call-up, offering a different profile in midfield with his emphasis on verticality and intensity. Samu Costa of Mallorca and Tomás Araújo of Benfica are also in contention for a return to the squad, having not been called up since 2024, according to Marca. Gonçalo Guedes, currently performing well for Real Sociedad with nine goals in 34 appearances across all competitions, is also being considered, potentially offering experience and versatility in attack.
Cláudio Braga, currently leading the Scottish Premiership with Heart of Midlothian, could also be a surprise inclusion. Braga has 15 goals and five assists in 35 games this season, presenting an alternative option in attack in Ronaldo’s absence. Afonso Moreira of Lyon is another potential addition, bringing youth, technical skill, and experience from the French league.
The Portuguese Football Federation (@selecaoportugal on X) announced the 27-man squad on March 20, 2026, listing the following players: Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton), and Rui Silva (Sporting); Defenders: Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), João Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villareal), António Silva (SL Benfica), Tomás Araújo (SL Benfica); Midfielders: Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Mateus Fernandes (West Ham), João Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Rodrigo Mora (FC Porto); Forwards: Ricardo Horta (SC Braga), Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting), João Félix (Al Nasr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting), Francisco Conceição.
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