NorthStandCA logo

Portugal Announces Roster for 2026 UEFA Nations League; Cristiano Ronaldo Expected for Fall Matches

After the 2026 FIFA World Cup concluded, Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal are gearing up for the next phase, beginning their 2030 cycle with four group stage matches in the UEFA Nations League.

Ronaldo confirmed that the recent World Cup would be his last tournament at that level, where Portugal reached the Round of 16 before a narrow 1-0 loss to Spain, who went on to win the championship. Yet, Ronaldo remains active with the national team.

Group Stage Draw and Challenges

Portugal competes in League A and will face Wales, Denmark, and Norway in their group. The schedule includes matches against all three nations during the September-October international window, with two games specifically against Norway.

Only the group winner advances to the Nations League semifinals, so every match carries high stakes with no margin for slip-ups.

Portugal's Expected Squad for Fall 2026

The official roster announcement is set for Friday, September 18. Unlike some other national teams who might experiment with younger or fringe players during this period, Portugal is anticipated to deploy a strong lineup, reflecting the competitive nature of these fixtures.

European sides often call upon their best squads for Nations League play, contrasting with some other countries' friendlies where stars may rest.

Projected Portugal Roster (September-October 2026)

  • Goalkeepers:
  • Diogo Costa (Porto, POR) - 48 caps
  • Jose Sa (Wolves, ENG) - 5 caps
  • Rui Silva (Sporting CP, POR) - 3 caps
  • Tomas Araujo (Benfica, POR) - 6 caps
  • Joao Cancelo (Barcelona, ESP) - 73 caps
  • Diogo Dalot (Man United, ENG) - 37 caps
  • Ruben Dias (Man City, ENG) - 80 caps
  • Goncalo Inacio (Sporting CP, POR) - 22 caps
  • Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce, TUR) - 54 caps
  • Antonio Silva (Bournemouth, ENG) - 20 caps
  • Renato Veiga (Villarreal, ESP) - 18 caps
  • Bruno Fernandes (Man United, ENG) - 94 caps
  • Mateus Fernandes (Tottenham, ENG) - 1 cap
  • Joao Neves (PSG, FRA) - 27 caps
  • Ruben Neves (Al Hilal, KSA) - 69 caps
  • Joao Palhinha (Benfica, POR) - 37 caps
  • Bernardo Silva (Real Madrid, ESP) - 113 caps
  • Vitinha (PSG, FRA) - 43 caps
  • Francisco Conceicao (Juventus, ITA) - 21 caps
  • Joao Felix (Al Nassr, KSA) - 57 caps
  • Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad, ESP) - 34 caps
  • Rafael Leao (Galatasaray, TUR) - 49 caps
  • Pedro Neto (Chelsea, ENG) - 30 caps
  • Goncalo Ramos (AC Milan, ITA) - 27 caps
  • Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr, KSA) - 233 caps
  • Francisco Trincao (Al Ahli, KSA) - 19 caps

Will Cristiano Ronaldo Play This Fall?

Ronaldo is expected to feature in Portugal's UEFA Nations League matches this autumn. Despite calling the 2026 World Cup his final major tournament, he has not retired from international soccer.

With Jorge Jesus, his former coach at Al Nassr, now leading the Portuguese national team, many believe Ronaldo will be included in the squad.

How to Watch Portugal's UEFA Nations League Matches

  • Portugal vs. Wales: Thursday, Sep. 24 at 2:45 p.m. ET, Estadio Jose Alvalade (Lisbon). TV: Fox Soccer Plus. Streaming: fubo
  • Norway vs. Portugal: Sunday, Sep. 27 at 2:45 p.m. ET, Ullevaal Stadion (Oslo). TV: None. Streaming: fubo, ViX
  • Denmark vs. Portugal: Thursday, Oct. 1 at 2:45 p.m. ET, Parken Stadium (Copenhagen). TV: None. Streaming: fubo, ViX
  • Portugal vs. Norway: Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2:45 p.m. ET, Estadio Do Dragao (Porto). TV: Fox Sports 2. Streaming: fubo, ViX

Related News