Cristiano Ronaldo said he is feeling “very positive” as Portugal departed Lisbon for their FIFA World Cup 2026 base camp in Palm Beach, Florida, stressing that the squad is approaching the tournament with a lot of hope after a demanding but productive preparation period. Speaking to reporters before the flight, the 41-year-old captain insisted he is “physically good” and believes the hard work put in during training will translate into a strong performance, even though he did not score in Portugal’s recent 2-1 friendly wins over Chile and Nigeria. Ronaldo, set to appear in a record sixth World Cup, praised what he called “a very good generation” of players around him and said the group has the quality to bring a lot of joy to the Portuguese people, adding that the key is to start well, finish top of the group, and then take the tournament one match at a time.
Portugal enter the 48-team World Cup having never won the trophy, with their best result remaining third place in 1966, but the squad arrives with momentum after lifting the UEFA Nations League last year and boasts a deep roster of talent. Bruno Fernandes comes off a record-setting season with Manchester United, while Nuno Mendes, João Neves, Vitinha, and Gonçalo Ramos helped Paris Saint-Germain win Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League. Head coach Roberto Martínez has repeatedly highlighted Ronaldo’s influence, movement, and finishing as a “big, big strength” and praised his 24-hour commitment to the national team, saying the captain sets the example in training and professionalism.
Despite some debate about whether his presence limits the team’s fluency, Ronaldo said Portugal has factors it cannot control but that winning remains the most important priority, and he is confident the side will build rhythm once the competition begins. The Selecao open their Group K campaign against the Democratic Republic of Congo on June 17 in Houston, followed by Uzbekistan on June 23 and Colombia on June 28. With Ronaldo extending his international career beyond two decades and 143 goals in 227 appearances, Portugal’s bid for a first World Cup will again run through its most iconic player, who maintains that things will go well if the team sticks to the process step by step.
