MY ACCOUNT
For all the talented players that have represented Portugal, the Iberian nation have never made it to the final of a World Cup tournament.
The latest generation of stars looking to make history in Qatar include many who won Euro 2016 and tasted more success in the 2019 Nations League final.
But in a tough group featuring Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea, Cristiano Ronaldo and Co will have to be at their best if they are to beat the odds and lift the trophy for the first time.
Portugal’s group stage fixtures and UK kick-off times
Portugal vs Ghana (Thursday, November 24, 4pm)
Portugal vs Uruguay (Monday, November 28, 7pm)
South Korea vs Portugal (Friday, December 2, 3pm)
How Portugal qualified for Qatar 2022
Portugal had a rough journey on the road to Qatar and fell short of automatic qualification after Serbia pipped them to top spot in Group A.
But Fernando Santos’ men did qualify the hard way by successfully navigating the play-offs with victories over Turkey and Italy’s conquerors North Macedonia.
During the campaign, Ronaldo scored six goals, breaking Ali Daei’s international record of 109 strikes in the process.
How Portugal could line up
Portugal’s XI is not set in stone, but with Santos keen on deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation, there are a handful of players who are likely to be guaranteed a start in the first match against Ghana.
Diogo Costa has recently established himself in goal following a brilliant spell with Porto and a solid centre-back pairing of Ruben Dias and Danilo Pereira will be flanked by Joao Cancelo and Raphael Guerreiro.
In midfield, Ruben Neves and William Carvalho will provide experience and defensive stability while Bruno Fernandes occupies the No10 role.
Skill is the theme on the flanks as Bernardo Silva and Rafael Leao look to penetrate the final third and Ronaldo will lead the line as Portugal’s most successful player of all time.
Predicted XI: Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Pereira, Guerreiro; Neves, Carvalho; Silva, Fernandes, Leao; Ronaldo
Star man: Cristiano Ronaldo
Ronaldo has always stood out in a Portugal shirt and this will be the case again in Qatar.
At 37, the upcoming tournament could be his last and he will be hopeful of exhibiting his best form in what is set to be a thrilling few weeks.
His shooting, pace and dribbling have caused defenders problems for nearly 20 years and there is an expectation that Ronaldo will hold the key to Portugal’s success this winter.
One to watch: Rafael Leao
The emergence of Rafael Leao has been a spectacle to behold, with the AC Milan winger playing a key role for the Serie A champions since his arrival from Lille in 2019.
He has 64 goal contributions in 135 matches for Milan and earned his first international cap in October 2021.
With star quality and an exciting style of play, the 23-year-old is almost certain to make a splash at the World Cup, with his name already linked with a number of Premier League suitors.
The boss: Fernando Santos
Santos has spent over eight years in charge of the Portuguese national team and is set to lead his men into a major tournament for the fourth time.
At 68, the former Greece manager is experienced and has a huge amount of tactical knowledge, delivering European success in 2016.
Now in charge of the next generation of talent emerging from Portugal, Santos has implemented an aggressive, attacking style on his current crop, capable of breaking down a defensive side or hitting them with a deadly counter-attack.
Portugal’s official 26-man World Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Patricio (Roma)
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City), Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain), Pepe (Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund)
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Ruben Neves (Wolves), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Mario (Benfica), Matheus Nunes (Wolves), Otavio Monteiro (Porto), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain), William Carvalho (Real Betis)
Forwards: Andre Silva (RB Leipzig), Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Goncalo Ramos (Benfica), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Ricardo Horta (Braga)
All information correct as of November 18, 2022
