Ronaldo Aims to End World Cup Knockout Drought at Record Sixth Tournament

Cristiano Ronaldo will play in his sixth World Cup when the 2026 tournament is held, in what is expected to be the final appearance of his distinguished international career. The 40-year-old forward faces a personal challenge that has defined his World Cup record: he has never scored a goal in a knockout-stage match across four previous tournaments. Ronaldo has appeared in 22 World Cup matches, recording 8 goals and 2 assists, but all of that production came during group-stage play. He has yet to score or provide an assist in any elimination match. Portugal has been drawn into Group 11 alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia. Whether the team advances past the group stage will determine if Ronaldo gets his first opportunity to play in the knockout rounds of the world's most prestigious football competition. Ronaldo holds the record for most goals scored for Portugal's national team, though his World Cup legacy has been shaped by the absence of goals in elimination matches. Portugal's group-stage performance will also define his personal tournament ambitions.