Ronaldo's Last Dance: Portugal at His Sixth World Cup
Cristiano Ronaldo plays his sixth and final World Cup at 41. Portugal open Group K vs DR Congo in Houston on 17 June, with Diogo Jota as a 'plus one'.
Cristiano Ronaldo plays his sixth and final World Cup at 41. Portugal coach Roberto Martínez named him in the squad on 19 May and added the late Diogo Jota as a symbolic plus one. Group K opens against DR Congo at NRG Stadium in Houston on Wednesday 17 June.
Cristiano Ronaldo plays his sixth World Cup with Portugal in 2026 at the age of 41 and has confirmed it will be his last. Portugal are in Group K with DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia. The opener is at NRG Stadium in Houston on Wednesday 17 June at 18:00 BST. Roberto Martínez included the late Diogo Jota as a symbolic plus one in the squad.
Why is Cristiano Ronaldo's 2026 World Cup his last?
Ronaldo told CNN in November 2025 that the 2026 tournament would definitely be his last World Cup, citing his age. He will be 41 throughout the group stage and turn 42 in February 2027. He goes into the tournament off his first Saudi Pro League title with Al Nassr, sealed by a brace in a 4-1 win over Damac on 21 May. He cried on the bench as the title was confirmed. The trophy ended a five-year drought without major club silverware that stretched back to his 2020 Serie A title with Juventus. Ronaldo holds the men's international goalscoring record with 143 goals for Portugal across 226 caps, the most caps in men's international football. He is also the only male player to have scored at five different World Cups.
How does Portugal's group stand without Diogo Jota?
Diogo Jota died on 3 July 2025 in a car crash in Zamora, Spain, alongside his brother André Silva. He was 28. Liverpool retired his number 20 shirt at all club levels. Roberto Martínez named his 2026 squad on 19 May and listed the late Liverpool forward as a symbolic plus one, saying Jota's spirit and example would always be the plus one in the group. Portugal head to North America with Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, Rafael Leão, João Félix and Pedro Neto carrying the attacking load alongside Ronaldo. Portugal face DR Congo on 17 June, Uzbekistan on 23 June (both at NRG Stadium, Houston) and Colombia on 27 June at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Can Ronaldo finally win the World Cup at 41?
Portugal have never won a World Cup. Their best finish is third in 1966. Ronaldo's best run came in 2006 in Germany, when Portugal reached the semi-final and lost 1-0 to France, then lost the third-place play-off 3-1 to Germany to finish fourth. Five tournaments and Euro 2016 and Nations League triumphs later, the World Cup is the only major international trophy still missing from his cabinet. Group K is the kindest he has had. Portugal and Colombia are the highest-ranked sides in the section, with DR Congo and Uzbekistan likely to compete for second. A quarter-final feels within reach. The trophy still requires Portugal to beat the elite sides they have not got past at this tournament since 2006.