Is Ronaldo playing at the World Cup? Portugal superstar's status revealed

Jon Arnold, USA TODAYWed, June 10, 2026 at 10:30 PM UTC

0

Cristiano Ronaldo already has played in five World Cup tournaments. This summer will make it six.

Ronaldo is 41 years old and missed parts of this season — both with Portugal and club Al-Nassr — because of knee issues.

But he was named in Portugal manager Robert Martinez's final 26-man squad for the World Cup and looks set to once again be a key portion of Portugal's attack.

Ronaldo and his longtime rival Lionel Messi can become the first men's players to appear in six World Cups if they see the field in North America this summer.

More: Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo makes record sixth World Cup roster

Advertisement

And Ronaldo's presence in what he's said will be his final World Cup is serving as motivation for his teammates.

"Wrapping up all this last World Cup with Cristiano winning it would be something amazing," midfielder Bruno Fernandes told the BBC in April 2026. "I really hope we can make it happen, not just for Portugal, but for everything Cristiano gave to football and the world."

Portugal was drawn into Group K with DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia and will look to advance from that group and make a push in the knockout stage with the assistance of one of its greatest-ever players.

Ronaldo has won nearly all there is to win in his career, but the World Cup has eluded him.

The attacker's best finish with Portugal at a World Cup came in his first, back in 2006, when he helped lead his nation to the semifinals.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Cristiano Ronaldo closing out his career by playing at the 2026 World Cup?

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Sports”