2018 FIFA World Cup : all you need to know about team “PORTUGAL”
European champions Portugal booked their spot in Russia after narrowly finishing top of Europe’s Group B on goal difference, edging out Switzerland on the final day to avoid the play-offs.
FIFA Ranking: 4
Continent: Europe
World Cup History:
Qualifying Campaigs: 20
First stage appearances: 6
Semi final appearances: 2
Finals: 0
Titles: 0
First World Cup: 1966
Last World Cup: 2014
Best outing: Third Place (1966)
Key Player: CRISTIANO RONALDO
Ronaldo is all-time leading scorer for both Portugal and Real Madrid and has been named The Best FIFA Men’s Player for the last two years running. This will be his 4th World Cup finals.
GROUP STAGE MATCHES
June 15: PORTUGAL vs SPAIN
June 20: PORTUGAL vs MOROCCO
June 25: IR IRAN vs PORTUGAL
Heading to Russia intent on building on their Euro 2016 triumph, coach Fernando Santos has named his side’s biggest stars as expected for the summer tournament, with Cristiano Ronaldo at the forefront of the squad.
The likes of Sporting star William Carvalho, Monaco midfielder Joao Moutinho and Besiktas duo Pepe and Ricardo Quaresma are all included in the squad, while Ruben Neves is the most famous omission.
A key part of Portugal’s success in France two years ago, Renato Sanches is also missing, though that comes as no surprise as he was not part of Santos’ original list of 35.
Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Lyon), Beto (Goztepe), Rui Patricio (Sporting)
Defenders: Bruno Alves (Rangers), Cedric Soares (Southampton), Jose Fonte (Dalian Yifang), Mario Rui (Napoli), Pepe (Besiktas), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Ricardo Pereira (Porto), Ruben Dias (Benfica)
Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Leicester), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting), Joao Mario (West Ham), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv Moscow), William Carvalho (Sporting)
Forwards: Andre Silva (AC Milan), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Gelson Martins (Sporting), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas).
