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As expected, Cristiano Ronaldo leads Portugal's 2026 World Cup squad, cementing yet another landmark achievement in his legendary career.
The five-time Ballon d'Or recipient is now officially poised to become the first footballer ever to appear in six World Cups. Ronaldo first graced the sport's biggest stage at the 2006 tournament and has participated in every edition of the competition since.
Now 41 years old, the Real Madrid icon is almost certainly making his farewell World Cup appearance at this summer's showpiece, where he will guide Portugal through Group K alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan and DR Congo, before a challenging knockout phase beckons.
Ronaldo enters the tournament with 226 caps and 143 goals for the Seleção das Quinas, both standing as men's international football records. He will add to both tallies at his historic sixth World Cup, though he won't be the only player etching his name in the history books across the United States, Canada and Mexico next month.
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Two World Cup Legends Join Ronaldo in Elite Club
Where Ronaldo goes, Lionel Messi is never far behind. The Argentine superstar is also expected to appear in his sixth World Cup this summer, joining his long-standing rival in the tournament's record books.
Lionel Scaloni has yet to announce his World Cup squad, but every indication suggests Messi will spearhead Argentina's title defense at age 38. The eight-time Ballon d'Or holder previously expressed some uncertainty about participating in the tournament, but he has been in excellent form for Inter Miami and has remained injury-free.
Much like Ronaldo, the 2026 edition is likely Messi's final World Cup, and it would be a fairytale conclusion for the forward to help La Albiceleste become only the third nation in history to claim back-to-back World Cup titles.
Alongside Messi and Ronaldo, Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa is also set to feature in his sixth World Cup this summer. The 40-year-old is a beloved figure for El Tri and has already announced he will hang up his gloves after the tournament, drawing the curtain on a storied career.
Could Ronaldo Finally Lift the World Cup This Summer?
Regardless of what he may say publicly, a competitor of Ronaldo's caliber desperately wants to win the World Cup. The coveted trophy has eluded the forward throughout his entire career, and this is his final opportunity to claim it.
In previous tournaments, Portugal was never considered a genuine contender; the squad typically lacked the depth to complement Ronaldo's brilliance. Yet today, the 41-year-old is almost a secondary figure in a team overflowing with quality.
Portugal arrive at the tournament boasting arguably the finest midfield on the planet, anchored by Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes and João Neves. The Seleção das Quinas also benefit from Nuno Mendes commanding the left flank.
Ronaldo finally has a supporting cast capable of mounting a serious deep run in the competition, though it may still fall short of getting Portugal past a formidable Argentina side — a team Roberto Martínez's men would encounter in the quarterfinals if both nations top their respective groups.