Cristiano Ronaldo has opened up about Portugal's prospects at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The legendary forward is set to appear in his sixth World Cup, tying the record held by Lionel Messi and Guillermo Ochoa, and this tournament could mark his final appearance on football's biggest stage.
Ronaldo’s Final Chance at Glory
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner has won virtually every major honor in his decorated career, but the World Cup remains the one trophy that has eluded him. Portugal have been placed in Group K alongside the Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, and tournament debutants Uzbekistan, as confirmed by FIFA.
Portugal's World Cup journey begins on June 17 in Houston against DR Congo, followed by matches against Uzbekistan on June 23 and Colombia on June 28. Manager Roberto Martinez's side played two preparatory friendlies, securing 2-1 victories over Chile and Nigeria's Super Eagles before departing for the United States.
Ronaldo Addresses Fitness and Optimism
Speaking before boarding the flight from Lisbon to Houston, the 41-year-old dismissed any concerns about his physical condition. “The same, very happy. We know it's a special competition. We're going in with a lot of hope. Physically, I'm fine. Haven't you been watching the games?” he said, as quoted by Record.
While Opta's supercomputer ranks Portugal sixth among World Cup favorites with a 7% chance of winning, Ronaldo acknowledged that predictions mean little until the tournament unfolds. “We'll only know at the end. It's a very good generation, but there are factors beyond our control. I believe it's a generation that will bring much joy,” he stated.
Portugal's friendly performances were not entirely convincing, but Ronaldo expressed confidence that the team will rise to the occasion when it matters most. “The most important thing is when things start to get serious on June 17th. When things start to get intense, the temperature rises... that's when we'll see who the champions are,” he said.
He added: “I'm positive that it will go well. The most important thing is to start well, to finish first and go from there. The path is built by walking. Starting well is what's important. The formula is to win, gain confidence, and get into the rhythm.”
Future Beyond 2026
Despite widespread speculation that this will be his final World Cup, Ronaldo hinted that he could continue playing until the 2030 edition, which Portugal will co-host. After facing Nigeria in their final warm-up match, Ronaldo took to social media to declare that the preparation phase was complete and the team was ready for the main challenge.
