Ronaldo says Portugal boasts exceptional squad for 2026 World Cup

Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo said the outcome of the 2026 World Cup will only become clear once the tournament is played, pointing to a generation of outstanding players at his country's disposal. Speaking on Friday, the 40-year-old forward said Portugal has an extremely special group of players capable of competing at the highest level. He noted, however, that many factors and details lie beyond the team's control. Ronaldo, nicknamed the "Madeira Missile" in his homeland, expressed full confidence in the current squad's abilities and said he believes the players will bring Portuguese fans considerable joy and success in the years ahead. Portugal has been drawn in Group 11 of the World Cup alongside the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia.