Will Portugal Win The World Cup?

WORDS BY ZAC ASSOUNI

It wouldn’t be crazy to say that if a prime version of Cristiano Ronaldo had a squad like he does now, we wouldn’t be looking at the 2026 World Cup as the missing jewel in his crown. This Portugal squad certainly has the talent to get the job done but how can they put it all together to climb atop football’s ultimate mountain.

The main difference between Portugal at the last World Cup compared to this one lies in the centre of the park with the deadly duo of Vitinha and Joao Neves who have been running rings around Europe for PSG now claiming back to back Champions League titles. Having a connection as good as these two will no doubt be crucial for Portugal not only to support defensively but also to contribute to the attacking phases of the game, an area which would want to improve their output since 2022.

Speaking of the attacking threats, it’s almost as if Ronaldo comes into this World Cup with something to prove. Yes, we know he isn’t the same freak of nature that we have been used to seeing but if he can provide the cherry on top to a young, and potentially the most talented side he’s ever played in, Portugal could certainly go very far.

In defence the revelation that is one of the best fullbacks in the world in Nuno Mendes partnered with Manchester City’s Ruben Dias and Sporting’s Goncalo Inacio gives Portugal a dynamic but stable base of which to play out from. This is a group of players that are comfortable with the ball at their feet and if given too much time with it, can be deadly.

Perhaps the man coming into the tournament with the best form though, is Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes. Fresh off breaking the Premier League single season assists record with a whopping 22, Fernandes will slot in perfectly ahead of Vitinha and Neves. The appointment of Michael Carrick was one of the contributing factors towards Fernandes’ stellar Premier League season by allowing him to almost free roam in dangerous areas instead of being relied upon defensively. If Roberto Martinez can allow for this to happen at the World Cup there’s no reason why Bruno Fernandes can’t replicate his fantastic club from.

There’s no doubt this team is a talented one and it seems so simple to say that all Portugal need to do is ‘put it all together’ but in all honesty sometimes it can be that simple. With so many players having such great seasons, the fact that this World Cup stage gives so many the chance to further prove themselves will be an interesting watch to say the least.