The Portugal national football team announced its squad for the match against Mexico, which will be the inaugural game at Banorte Stadium (Azteca) and the final FIFA window before the 2026 World Cup concentration. The main question surrounding the match, which was sold out during the pre-sale, was the presence of forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who had excited Mexican fans with the prospect of playing at the 'Colossus of Santa Úrsula'. However, the Portuguese national team's coach detailed on Friday, March 20, that Cristiano Ronaldo's name is not on the list of 27 players chosen for the matches against Mexico and the USA. Nevertheless, there were new changes: Paulinho, a forward for Toluca, was called up at the last minute after Rodrigo Mora of FC Porto and Rafael Leão of AC Milan were 'ruled out'. The forwards with whom Portugal will 'shine' at the 2026 World Cup are: Ricardo Horta (SC Braga), Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting CP), João Félix (Al Nassr), Francisco Trincão (Sporting CP), Francisco Conceição (Juventus), Paulinho (Toluca), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Gonçalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), and Gonçalo Ramos (PSG). The goalkeepers are: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), José Sá (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting CP). The midfielders are: Rúben Neves (Al Hilal), Samú Costa (Mallorca), Mateus Fernandes (West Ham), João Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), and Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United). The defenders are: Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), João Cancelo (FC Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting CP), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), António Silva (SL Benfica), and Tomás Araújo (SL Benfica). Cristiano Ronaldo's injury that ruled him out of the Mexico vs. Portugal match. The suspicion that Cristiano Ronaldo would not play in the Mexico vs. Portugal match had been in the air for several days. The forward presented an injury that left him inactive in recent weeks. Al Nassr's coach, Jorge Jesus, had already anticipated the scenario with a statement that ultimately weighed in on the final decision: 'Ronaldo and Mané should return after the international break. Everyone knows they are great players, but they will be out for a while'. However, Portugal's lineup will feature many elite players, who are considered one of the main contenders to win the World Cup. Paulinho: The Toluca forward's dream to play in the World Cup with Portugal. Amidst Portugal's 2026 squad announcement, one name that generated conversation was Paulinho, the forward for two-time Liga MX champion Toluca. His agent, Pedro Mendes, publicly pushed his candidacy with arguments based on his performance prior to the call-up: 'Paulinho deserves it, without a doubt'. This is Mexico's squad to face Portugal: Goalkeepers: Guillermo Ochoa (AEL Limassol), Raúl Rangel (Guadalajara), Carlos Acevedo (Santos). Defenders: Richard Ledezma (Guadalajara), Jorge Sánchez (PAOK), César Montes (Lokomotiv Moscow), Israel Reyes (América), Johan Vásquez (Genoa), Eduardo López (Toluca), Jesús Gallardo (Toluca), Jesús Angulo (Tigres). Midfielders: Denzell García (Juárez FC), Erik Lira (Cruz Azul), Obed Vargas (Atlético de Madrid), Álvaro Fidalgo (Real Betis), Orbelín Pineda (AEK Athens), Carlos Rodríguez (Cruz Azul), Erick Sánchez (América), Brian Gutiérrez (Guadalajara). Forwards: Roberto Alvarado (Guadalajara), Germán Berterame (Inter Miami), Julián Quiñones (Al-Qadsiah), Alexis Vega (Toluca), Guillermo Martínez (Pumas UNAM), Raúl Jiménez (Fulham), Armando González (Guadalajara). A love that transcends time, generations, and memory. Beyond the result, the match serves as one of the final rehearsals before the World Cup. The game is also for the inauguration of Azteca Stadium (Banorte), the only venue to host the first match of the World Cup three times. The Mexican Football Federation maintained the event amid a wave of violence following the death of 'El Mencho', under the institutional premise that it was a 'mutual desire' to maintain the preparation schedule. Mexico's squad: trials, returns, and new faces. Prior to Portugal's squad announcement, Aguirre presented his list, combining established players in Europe and Liga MX elements seeking to solidify their place in the process towards the 2026 World Cup. The list also responds to a context of absences due to injury, such as Edson Álvarez's. Our Banorte Stadium, where we have always been by your side. His numbers in recent years, his performances at Sporting and now at Toluca. Paulinho is the current three-time top scorer in Liga MX and a key factor in the 'Diablos Rojos'' two recent titles under coach Antonio Mohamed. Mendes emphasized the symbolism of the scenario: 'Returning to the national team at the Azteca against Mexico would be a prize for Paulinho and for Toluca'. The attacker solidified himself as one of the profiles followed by the Portuguese coaching staff in an attacking lineup that sought alternatives to the absence of their historical leader. We're coming home! Martínez himself admitted it publicly weeks before the squad announcement. Mexico vs. Portugal: A friendly with a World Cup aroma. The Mexico vs. Portugal match is a high-level test in the run-up to the World Cup.
Portugal Squad for Mexico vs. Portugal Announced Without Ronaldo
Portugal has announced its squad for the friendly match against Mexico, which will be the first game at the renovated Azteca Stadium. The biggest news is the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo due to injury. Meanwhile, forward Paulinho from Mexican club Toluca was called up at the last minute. The match serves as one of the final tune-ups before the 2026 World Cup.
