On the age of 41, Cristiano Ronaldo is searching for the one main trophy that has eluded him throughout a glittering profession when the five-time Ballon d’Or winner captains a hotly-tipped Portugal facet on the World Cup 2006.
However for a hat-trick in opposition to Spain in the course of the 2018 group stage on the way in which to a last-16 exit, the all-time file scorer in worldwide soccer would have by no means netted greater than as soon as at a event he has featured at whenever since 2006.
That sporadic success is barely prone to gas Ronaldo’s willpower to shine for the Selecao, whose run 20 years in the past was considered one of two World Cup tournaments at which they’ve reached the semi-finals, together with 1966.
Right here’s the complete confirmed and potential schedule for Ronaldo on the FIFA World Cup 2026. It’s also possible to discover out the UK TV schedule for the video games here.
Ronaldo World Cup fixtures: Confirmed schedule, kick off occasions
Portugal face DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia in the course of the group stage. Right here’s when these video games happen and their subsequent fixtures, in addition to the way to watch within the UK.
| Date | Match | Consequence | Stage | Time (BST) | ET | PT | Channel |
| June 17 | DR Congo | Group | 18:00 | 13:00 | 10:00 | BBC | |
| June 23 | Uzbekistan | Group | 18:00 | 13:00 | 10:00 | ITV | |
| June 28 | Colombia | Group | 00:30 | 19:30 | 16:30 | BBC | |
| July 1/2/3 | TBC | Spherical of 32 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
| July 5/6/7 | TBC | Spherical of 16 | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
| July 10/11 | TBC | Quarter-finals | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
| July 14/15 | TBC | Semi-finals | TBC | TBC | TBC | TBC | |
| July 18 | TBC | Third-placed match | 22:00 | 17:00 | 14:00 | TBC | |
| July 19 | TBC | Last | 20:00 | 15:00 | 12:00 | BBC, ITV |
Is Ronaldo enjoying within the World Cup 2026? Damage information updates
Ronaldo sat out his nation’s first two matches of 2026 with a hamstring harm however began each of their warm-up video games for the finals as captain, that includes for 45 minutes in opposition to Chile adopted by a 65-minute outing in opposition to Nigeria.
Head coach Roberto Martinez has mentioned the icon stays key for his facet however might select to make use of him selectively, as predecessor Fernando Santos did on the 2022 finals.
Portugal had began Ronaldo in every of their earlier 18 matches on the finals earlier than he got here on as a second-half substitute within the last-16 win over Switzerland and quarter-final defeat to Morocco in Qatar.
The Actual Madrid all-time high scorer referred to as the 2026 version “a brand new chapter”. “Each time we put on this jersey, we really feel the identical pleasure, ardour and the identical sense of duty from day one,” he added.
“We’ve labored onerous to get to this second and now it’s time to provide our all for our nation, and for all of the Portuguese communities that help us right here and all over the world. Consider it like we do.”
Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup fixtures: Knockout stage, full bracket
Ought to Portugal justify their standing as favourites to win their group, they are going to face a third-placed group from group D, E, I, J or L within the final 32.
Ronaldo’s group will meet the runners-up from that part if they arrive second and the group that wins it in the event that they advance as one of many best-performing third-placed groups.
Group L comprises England, Croatia, Ghana and Panama. You’ll be able to see the complete bracket on FIFA’s site.
Cristiano Ronaldo subsequent match at FIFA World Cup 2026
Ronaldo’s subsequent look on the World Cup is ready to be in Portugal’s first sport of the event in opposition to DR Congo on June 17 at 18:00 BST.
World Cup 2026: Will Cristiano Ronaldo elevate the trophy?
Reigning Nations League champions Portugal are among the many favourites to win the World Cup and have an immensely skilled squad.
Metronomic midfielder Vitinha was participant of the match in Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League closing win over Arsenal, joined by teammates left-back Nuno Mendes, playmaker Joao Neves and strikers Goncalo Ramos in turning into European champions.
Joao Felix has rediscovered a number of the type that triggered Atletico Madrid to pay £113 million for him in 2019 since becoming a member of Ronaldo at Al-Nassr and Portugal’s forwards mustn’t battle for provide from midfield, though they’ve traditionally struggled to interrupt down deep-lying defences.
Manchester United’s artistic inspiration, Bruno Fernandes, was the Premier League participant of the season for 2025/26 and considered one of Manchester Metropolis’s hardest challenges subsequent season will probably be figuring out the way to change the ingenious Bernardo Silva, who has joined Actual Madrid.
Enterprising wideman Joao Cancelo, industrious and versatile United full-back Diogo Dalot and Metropolis centre-half Ruben Dias are amongst Martinez’s choices on the again, forward of goalkeeper and famous penalty-saver Diogo Costa.
Argentina – led by Ronaldo’s generational rival, Lionel Messi – Spain, France, England, Brazil and Germany are among the many likeliest candidates Portugal must beat to the title if Ronaldo is to win another trophy on what is sort of definitely his worldwide swansong.
Portugal World Cup 2026 squad: Full checklist of Ronaldo teammates
Right here’s the squad Ronaldo leads at his sixth World Cup, having scored a complete of eight objectives within the historical past of the event earlier than the beginning of the finals.
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolves), Rui Silva (Sporting), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi)
Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Man United), Matheus Nunes (Man Metropolis), Ruben Dias (ManCity), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Nuno Mendes (PSG), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomas Araujo (Benfica)
Midfielders: Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca), Joao Neves (PSG), Vitinha (PSG), Bruno Fernandes (Man United), Bernardo Silva (Man Metropolis)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr), Joao Felix (Al-Nassr), Francisco Trincao (Sporting), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Rafael Leao (Milan), Goncalo Guedes (Actual Sociedad), Goncalo Ramos (PSG)
