HOUSTON — Portugal coach Roberto Martinez named 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo in a 27-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, setting up the forward's sixth appearance at the tournament. The squad selection also included a symbolic "plus one" in memory of Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident in July of last year at the age of 28.

"Losing Diogo was an unforgettable and very difficult moment, but the very next day, it was up to all of us to fight for Diogo's dream and for the example he always set in our national team," Martinez said. "Diogo Jota's spirit, strength and example are the +1 and will always be the +1."

Portugal will open their Group K campaign against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Houston on June 17, face Uzbekistan in the same city on June 23, and conclude the group stage against Colombia in Miami on June 27. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19. FIFA requires the squad to be in their Palm Beach, Florida training camp at least five days before their opening match.

He named four goalkeepers and five fullbacks in his squad. "The complexity of the tournament is very important – the demands of the weather, the time zone, everything we already experienced in March," he said. "There are positions where we need to have more than two players per position. And we need five fullbacks."

Fourth-choice goalkeeper Ricardo Velho of Genclerbirligi Ankara will travel with the squad but can only be added to the official 26-man list in the event of an injury to one of the three registered keepers. He said Velho understood his role as a training goalkeeper. Mateus Fernandes, Ricardo Horta and Pedro Goncalves were not included.

He noted the versatility of Diogo Dalot, Joao Cancelo and Matheus Nunes, and noted attacking options including Joao Felix, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva and Francisco Trincao operating between the lines. He said Rafael Leao, Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceicao would provide width. Speaking about Ronaldo, he said: "He is our strength, our joy."

Portugal will warm up against Chile in Oeiras on June 6 and Nigeria in Leiria on June 10. The remaining squad members are goalkeepers Diogo Costa, Jose Sa and Rui Silva; defenders Nelson Semedo, Nuno Mendes, Goncalo Inacio, Renato Veiga, Ruben Dias and Tomas Araujo; midfielders Ruben Neves, Samuel Costa, Joao Neves and Vitinha; and forwards Goncalo Guedes and Goncalo Ramos.