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Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo makes record sixth World Cup roster
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- Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo makes record sixth World Cup roster
Cristiano Ronaldo is set to make history after he was named in Roberto Martinez's Portugal World Cup roster on Tuesday, May 19.
Ronaldo, along with his longtime rival Lionel Messi , can become the first men's players to appear in six World Cups if they see the field in North America this summer .
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At 41, Ronaldo is still a key figure for Portugal as well as his club side Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia .
World Cup 2026 rosters: Complete squads for all 48 teams
In what he has said will be his final World Cup, Ronaldo will aim to win the prize for the first time in his illustrious career.
SPAIN: Lamine Yamal. Still just a teenager, few players are as exciting with the ball at their feet as the 18-year-old Barcelona winger. He already has 23 caps for Spain, bursting onto the scene as 16-year-old sensation.
(NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV, AFP via Getty Images)
ARGENTINA: Lionel Messi. This certainly is the last ride for the one of the greatest players to ever do it. He led La Albiceleste to World Cup glory in 2022 and is still defying Father Time at 38 years old (he'll turn 39 during the tournament).
(LUIS ROBAYO, AFP via Getty Images)
FRANCE: Desire Doue. Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise are the stars of France's attack, but don't forget the 20-year-old Doue, who is a key piece in Paris Saint-Germain's midfield. He's a tricky player who is constantly putting defenses under pressure.
(FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)
ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka. The 24-year-old Arsenal winger is already a well-known commodity. He's appeared more than 200 times for Arsenal and has 14 England goals already. His left foot is a wand cutting in off the right and he consistently puts defenders on their heels.
(Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)
GERMANY: Jamal Musiala. The 22-year-old Bayern Munich attacker is coming off a serious ankle injury suffered at July's FIFA Club World Cup. He should be go good to go this summer and his trickery and dribbling give the Germans an added dimension in midfield.
(FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP via Getty Images)
BELGIUM: Jeremy Doku. This 23-year-old Manchester City winger is electric. He's among the best dribblers in the Premier League and is a nightmare when he's running at defenders with the ball at his feet.
(VIRGINIE LEFOUR, BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
PORTUGAL: Cristiano Ronaldo. At 40 years old, he's still not slowing down. Ronaldo has scored 109 goals since moving to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia four years ago and has transferred that form to Portugal, with eight goals in nine games for the national team in 2025.
(Charles McQuillan, Getty Images)
JAPAN: Takefusa Kubo. The 24-year-old Real Sociedad right winger (ESP) will consistently run at defenders, putting opponents on their heels. He led Japan in goals+assists in qualifying (11) and will be key to Samurai Blue's attack.
(Koji Watanabe, Getty Images)
NORWAY: Erling Haaland. An unstoppable force, the 25-year-old striker led Norway to its first World Cup since 1998. He's a scoring machine with 55 goals in 48 games for Norway and is fast approaching 150 career goals for Manchester City in just over 160 games played.
(ALBERTO PIZZOLI, AFP via Getty Images)
MOROCCO: Abde Ezzalzouli. A 23-year-old left winger who plays for Real Betis in Spain, gets goals and assists and isn't afraid to get stuck in. He scored in Morocco's 6-0 win over Egypt in the 2024 bronze medal game in the Paris Olympics.
(Robert Cianflone, Getty Images)
USA: Christian Pulisic. A lot falls on the shoulders of Captain America, and the 27-year-old winger has been building to this moment. He's played for some of Europe's biggest clubs (Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and now AC Milan) and has 32 goals in 82 caps for the US.
(FREDERIC J. BROWN, AFP via Getty Images)
ENGLAND: Phil Foden. The 25-year-old midfielder was named 2024 English Premier League Player of the Year, scoring 19 goals in Manchester CIty's title-winning season. He dropped off a bit last season, but is still one of the most creative players in the EPL.
(Alex Pantling, Getty Images)
NETHERLANDS: Cody Gakpo. The 26-year-old Liverpool forward has already scored 19 goals for Holland in just 46 caps.Memphis Depay is still the focal point of the Dutch attack, but Gakpo provides plenty of skill and speed to open up defenses.
(JOHN THYS, AFP via Getty Images)
ARGENTINA: Nico Paz. Part of La Albiceleste's next generation, the 21-year-old midfielder is off to a flier this season for Como in Italy's Serie A. He'll likely head back to Real Madrid next season and is the future midfield maestro for Argentina.
(Rich Storry, Getty Images)
SPAIN: Nico Williams. With Lamine Yamal on one side and Williams on the other, Spain's wingers give defenses sleepless nights. The 23-year-old Athletic Bilbao winger has six goals in 30 Spain caps and is electric with the ball at his feet.
(NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV, AFP via Getty Images)
AUSTRALIA: Nestory Irankunda. Diminutive but dynamic, this 19-year-old forward has blistering pace, great dribbling ability and rocket for a shot. He had a brief spell with Bayern Munich's reserves, but now plays for Watford in The EFL Championship (England's second tier).
(Minas Panagiotakis, Getty Images)
CANADA: Tajon Buchanan. The 26-year-old winger has featured 57 times for Canada and is among its most dangerous attacking options. He's scored four times this season for Villareal in Spain.
(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP via Getty Images)
SWITZERLAND: Johan Manzambi. The 20-year-old midfielder who plays for Freiburg in Germany has eight caps for the Swiss team (all this year) and scored against the U.S. in a 4-0 win last June.
(FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP via Getty Images)
SENEGAL: Ismaila Sarr. The 27-year-old winger has scored four goals in seven matches for the national team in 2025 and is a key part to the overachieving Crystal Palace team in England.
(KENZO TRIBOUILLARD, AFP via Getty Images)
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2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
SPAIN: Lamine Yamal. Still just a teenager, few players are as exciting with the ball at their feet as the 18-year-old Barcelona winger. He already has 23 caps for Spain, bursting onto the scene as 16-year-old sensation.
(NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV, AFP via Getty Images)
1
/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
SPAIN: Lamine Yamal. Still just a teenager, few players are as exciting with the ball at their feet as the 18-year-old Barcelona winger. He already has 23 caps for Spain, bursting onto the scene as 16-year-old sensation.
(NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV, AFP via Getty Images)
2
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2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
ARGENTINA: Lionel Messi. This certainly is the last ride for the one of the greatest players to ever do it. He led La Albiceleste to World Cup glory in 2022 and is still defying Father Time at 38 years old (he'll turn 39 during the tournament).
(LUIS ROBAYO, AFP via Getty Images)
3
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2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
FRANCE: Desire Doue. Kylian Mbappe and Michael Olise are the stars of France's attack, but don't forget the 20-year-old Doue, who is a key piece in Paris Saint-Germain's midfield. He's a tricky player who is constantly putting defenses under pressure.
(FRANCK FIFE, AFP via Getty Images)
4
/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka. The 24-year-old Arsenal winger is already a well-known commodity. He's appeared more than 200 times for Arsenal and has 14 England goals already. His left foot is a wand cutting in off the right and he consistently puts defenders on their heels.
(Justin Setterfield, Getty Images)
5
/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
GERMANY: Jamal Musiala. The 22-year-old Bayern Munich attacker is coming off a serious ankle injury suffered at July's FIFA Club World Cup. He should be go good to go this summer and his trickery and dribbling give the Germans an added dimension in midfield.
(FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP via Getty Images)
6
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2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
BELGIUM: Jeremy Doku. This 23-year-old Manchester City winger is electric. He's among the best dribblers in the Premier League and is a nightmare when he's running at defenders with the ball at his feet.
(VIRGINIE LEFOUR, BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images)
7
/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
PORTUGAL: Cristiano Ronaldo. At 40 years old, he's still not slowing down. Ronaldo has scored 109 goals since moving to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia four years ago and has transferred that form to Portugal, with eight goals in nine games for the national team in 2025.
(Charles McQuillan, Getty Images)
8
/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
JAPAN: Takefusa Kubo. The 24-year-old Real Sociedad right winger (ESP) will consistently run at defenders, putting opponents on their heels. He led Japan in goals+assists in qualifying (11) and will be key to Samurai Blue's attack.
(Koji Watanabe, Getty Images)
9
/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
NORWAY: Erling Haaland. An unstoppable force, the 25-year-old striker led Norway to its first World Cup since 1998. He's a scoring machine with 55 goals in 48 games for Norway and is fast approaching 150 career goals for Manchester City in just over 160 games played.
(ALBERTO PIZZOLI, AFP via Getty Images)
10
/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
MOROCCO: Abde Ezzalzouli. A 23-year-old left winger who plays for Real Betis in Spain, gets goals and assists and isn't afraid to get stuck in. He scored in Morocco's 6-0 win over Egypt in the 2024 bronze medal game in the Paris Olympics.
(Robert Cianflone, Getty Images)
11
/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
USA: Christian Pulisic. A lot falls on the shoulders of Captain America, and the 27-year-old winger has been building to this moment. He's played for some of Europe's biggest clubs (Chelsea, Borussia Dortmund and now AC Milan) and has 32 goals in 82 caps for the US.
(FREDERIC J. BROWN, AFP via Getty Images)
12
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2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
ENGLAND: Phil Foden. The 25-year-old midfielder was named 2024 English Premier League Player of the Year, scoring 19 goals in Manchester CIty's title-winning season. He dropped off a bit last season, but is still one of the most creative players in the EPL.
(Alex Pantling, Getty Images)
13
/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
NETHERLANDS: Cody Gakpo. The 26-year-old Liverpool forward has already scored 19 goals for Holland in just 46 caps.Memphis Depay is still the focal point of the Dutch attack, but Gakpo provides plenty of skill and speed to open up defenses.
(JOHN THYS, AFP via Getty Images)
14
/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
ARGENTINA: Nico Paz. Part of La Albiceleste's next generation, the 21-year-old midfielder is off to a flier this season for Como in Italy's Serie A. He'll likely head back to Real Madrid next season and is the future midfield maestro for Argentina.
(Rich Storry, Getty Images)
15
/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
SPAIN: Nico Williams. With Lamine Yamal on one side and Williams on the other, Spain's wingers give defenses sleepless nights. The 23-year-old Athletic Bilbao winger has six goals in 30 Spain caps and is electric with the ball at his feet.
(NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV, AFP via Getty Images)
16
/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
AUSTRALIA: Nestory Irankunda. Diminutive but dynamic, this 19-year-old forward has blistering pace, great dribbling ability and rocket for a shot. He had a brief spell with Bayern Munich's reserves, but now plays for Watford in The EFL Championship (England's second tier).
(Minas Panagiotakis, Getty Images)
17
/19
2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
CANADA: Tajon Buchanan. The 26-year-old winger has featured 57 times for Canada and is among its most dangerous attacking options. He's scored four times this season for Villareal in Spain.
(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP via Getty Images)
18
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2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
SWITZERLAND: Johan Manzambi. The 20-year-old midfielder who plays for Freiburg in Germany has eight caps for the Swiss team (all this year) and scored against the U.S. in a 4-0 win last June.
(FABRICE COFFRINI, AFP via Getty Images)
19
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2026 World Cup: 20 players who will get you out of your seat
SENEGAL: Ismaila Sarr. The 27-year-old winger has scored four goals in seven matches for the national team in 2025 and is a key part to the overachieving Crystal Palace team in England.
(KENZO TRIBOUILLARD, AFP via Getty Images)
Ronaldo is the all-time leader for men in international appearances (226) and goals (143).
Portugal has been drawn into Group K along with Colombia , Uzbekistan and Congo. Ronaldo and Co. will open the tournament against Congo in Houston on June 17.
Martinez named 27 players in his final squad, and will cut one of his four goalkeepers to get to the roster limit of 26.
Spain– 17th appearance
Brazil– 23rd appearance
United States of America– 12th appearance
Mexico– 18th appearance
England– 17th appearance
Portugal– ninth appearance
France– 17th appearance
Iran– seventh appearance
Switzerland– 13th appearance
Croatia– seventh appearance
Australia– seventh appearance
Morocco– seventh appearance
Austria– eighth appearance
Ecuador– fifth appearance
Senegal– fourth appearance
South Korea– 12th appearance
Japan– eighth appearance
Colombia– seventh appearance
Netherlands– 12th appearance
Germany– 21st appearance
Belgium– 15th appearance
Canada– third appearance
Saudi Arabia– seventh appearance
Uzbekistan– first appearance
Jordan – first appearance
Tunisia– seventh appearance
South Africa– fourth appearance
Ivory Coast– fourth appearance
Scotland– ninth appearance
Algeria– fifth appearance
New Zealand– third appearance
Paraguay– ninth appearance
Egypt– fourth appearance
Cape Verde– first appearance
Qatar– second appearance
Norway– fourth appearance
Panama– second appearance
(RICARDO MAKYN, AFP via Getty Images)
Ghana– fifth appearance
Haiti– second appearance
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Spain– 17th appearance
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Spain– 17th appearance
2
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Brazil– 23rd appearance
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
United States of America– 12th appearance
4
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Mexico– 18th appearance
5
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
England– 17th appearance
6
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Portugal– ninth appearance
7
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
France– 17th appearance
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Iran– seventh appearance
9
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Switzerland– 13th appearance
10
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Croatia– seventh appearance
11
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Australia– seventh appearance
12
/40
Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Morocco– seventh appearance
13
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Austria– eighth appearance
14
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Ecuador– fifth appearance
15
/40
Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Senegal– fourth appearance
16
/40
Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
South Korea– 12th appearance
17
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Japan– eighth appearance
18
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Colombia– seventh appearance
19
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Netherlands– 12th appearance
20
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Germany– 21st appearance
21
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Belgium– 15th appearance
22
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Canada– third appearance
23
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Saudi Arabia– seventh appearance
24
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Uzbekistan– first appearance
25
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Jordan – first appearance
26
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Tunisia– seventh appearance
27
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
South Africa– fourth appearance
28
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Ivory Coast– fourth appearance
29
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Scotland– ninth appearance
30
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Algeria– fifth appearance
31
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
New Zealand– third appearance
32
/40
Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Paraguay– ninth appearance
33
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Egypt– fourth appearance
34
/40
Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Cape Verde– first appearance
35
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Qatar– second appearance
36
/40
Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Norway– fourth appearance
37
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Panama– second appearance
38
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
(RICARDO MAKYN, AFP via Getty Images)
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Ghana– fifth appearance
40
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Who is in World Cup 2026? Ranking all 48 teams
Haiti– second appearance
Full Portugal World Cup 2026 roster
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), José Sá ( Wolverhampton Wanderers ), Rui Silva (Sporting CP); Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi Ankara);
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Defenders: Diogo Dalot ( Manchester United ); Matheus Nunes ( Manchester City ), Nélson Semedo (Fenerbahce SK), João Cancelo ( FC Barcelona ), Nuno Mendes ( PSG ), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga ( Villarreal ); Rúben Dias (Manchester City); Tomás Araújo (SL Benfica)
Midfielders: Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Samuel Costa ( Mallorca ), João Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City)
Forwards: João Félix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceição ( Juventus ), Pedro Neto ( Chelsea ), Rafael Leão ( AC Milan ), Gonçalo Guedes ( Real Sociedad ), Gonçalo Ramos (PSG); Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cristiano Ronaldo named to Portugal 2026World Cup roster
