Portugal at the FIFA World Cup 2026: Ronaldo's Last Dance and a Nation's Greatest Chance

One question seems far more important for Portugal's chances in the 2026 FIFA World Cup than any tactical discussion, squad controversy or the World Cup group draw: will Cristiano Ronaldo take part? The all-time greatest goal scorer in international football, who's scored more goals for his nation than anyone else has for theirs, is due to lead Portugal in what would be a record sixth and almost certainly last World Cup when he's 41. There's a reason the football world's eyes would be glued to the 41-year-old. Ronaldo is not all that Portugal have in 2026, however. Roberto Martinez has been assembling a deep and talented squad that might be the best Portugal have ever fielded. The likes of Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Rafael Leao and Vitinha means there isn't a defence that Portugal couldn't tear apart if they put together an entire World Cup side. Portugal have an incredible tradition in bringing fans to World Cups and the Portugal supporters, one of the most vocal in European football, should be securing their World Cup 2026 Tickets now because there's little reason why this side can't go far.

What Are Portugal's Chances of Winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup?

There's arguably never been a better time for the case of Portugal's chances of winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Without Ronaldo and with a team built around him, not reliant on his individual performances to win games, Martinez has the best team he could possibly have. With Bernardo Silva, who is among the five best players in the world in his position, Bruno Fernandes and Rafael Leao in the mix and others, Martinez is in possession of a strong side. It's been a tough World Cup for Portugal and its fans over the years, with a group of quality players who haven't been able to win at every major tournament. Martinez, though, has been addressing the problem by having a clear philosophy of structure and collective action rather than just waiting for Ronaldo and the stars to perform. With the squad in possession and the bracket, Portugal should be capable of reaching the semi-final. All depends on whether the tactical discipline is in place against the tournament best. But all the ingredients are there. This could be Portugal's best World Cup opportunity for real.

Visas for Portuguese Fans in North America

Visas are straightforward for Portuguese fans in all three host nations.

USA: Portugal is on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) which means Portuguese nationals can travel to the US without a visa. For stays of 90 days or less, an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) is needed. Applied for online, with a small fee and usually quickly processed, it's the official travel permission for the US. For the FIFA World Cup 2026, the US Department of State is also hosting a World Cup page for visitors at state.gov/fifa-world-cup-26-visas covering all information on visas and tournament guidance. Be sure that your passport is biometric and valid for your full length of stay.

Canada: Portuguese nationals do not require visas to enter Canada for stays of 6 months or less. Travellers arriving to Canada by air will need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) which is also applied for online and usually processed quickly. Canada has a significant Portuguese-speaking population, as Toronto has some of the highest number of Portuguese outside of Portugal itself, so it is a very culturally familiar city to land for Portuguese fans.

Mexico: Portuguese nationals don't require visas to travel to Mexico for stays of 180 days or less. Portuguese can also easily communicate in Mexican host cities of Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey given the similar language of Spanish and Portuguese, and some fans are likely to base in Mexico for the start of the tournament.

Where Should Portuguese Fans Stay?

Portugal's group matches are projected to be played at US host cities, with the knockout stages of the tournament potentially taking the Portuguese selection to MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Levi's Stadium in San Francisco, and Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, with the World Cup Final at MetLife Stadium on July 19.

New York/New Jersey: There is one of the largest Portuguese and Luso-American communities in the USA, and the Ironbound area of Newark is famously Portuguese across the US with Portuguese restaurants and a very dense Portuguese population in the area. Portuguese fans in New York/New Jersey will not miss home one bit during Portugal's matches.

Boston: A significant Portuguese-American population, especially throughout Massachusetts, makes Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, and New England in general, the most obvious destination for Portugal fans residing in the northeast.

San Francisco Bay Area: One of the host venues is Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara. In the case of San Francisco, there is also the factor of the large and long-standing Portuguese community of the Bay Area, which is certainly an additional attraction on top of the general buzz.

Miami: There is warmth and footballing culture in Miami which seems to be a perfect fit with Portuguese football. Hard Rock Stadium is among the most atmospheric of venues on the host roster. Furthermore, with a city and a region defined by its diversity, this will only enhance the spectacle for a match in Miami.

Accommodation: What and Where

Accommodation close to all the venues is going to be hard to come by. Here's some guidance by city:

New York/New Jersey: East Rutherford and Secaucus are both right next to MetLife Stadium. However, for a Portuguese fan that would feel most comfortable amongst the community of fellow Portuguese living in Newark, look no further than the Ironbound. Manhattan is obviously going to be more expensive, especially during the knockout stage, but it is the "real" New York experience with NJ Transit direct match-day services to the stadium.

Boston area: There is no large hotel availability in Foxborough, so Downtown Boston and South Shore remain the best options, with transport available to Gillette Stadium on game-day for those who decide not to stay in town.

Los Angeles: SoFi Stadium is located in Inglewood, so El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Marina del Rey are good, accessible nearby alternatives which are all connected to the stadium by the Metro K Line.

San Francisco Bay Area: The closest accommodation is in Santa Clara, San Jose or Palo Alto, with Caltrain available to get to the stadium from the City by the Bay.

Make use of sites with free cancellation (like Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia etc), as your accommodation preferences are likely to change as Portugal's knockout tournament fate starts to unfold.

Getting There: Flights and Getting Between Host Cities

Lisbon's Humberto Delgado Airport (LIS) has direct flights to New York (JFK), Boston (Logan), Miami and Newark (Newark Liberty International) via TAP Air Portugal, United, Delta and American Airlines. Porto's Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) will also offer connecting flights for those who wish to travel to Portugal's major airports, where many of the flights to the USA will originate.

Fares across the ocean have climbed steadily as we approach the tournament. Any fans that have not already purchased their flights across the Atlantic should start looking at this as soon as possible. For travel between host venues, the main carriers — Southwest, Delta, and American — have regular flights that service all 11 stadium locations. When travelling, plan accordingly. There will be opportunities to make a multi-stop flight itinerary with a buffer day in between each trip where possible.

Tickets: The Practical Side of Things

Official 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket sales are currently taking place through FIFA.com. The official portal is your best bet for checking available ticket allotments, browsing official resale options, and purchasing FIFA hospitality packages. If the specific matches you're after are sold out on FIFA's website, fans should avoid posting on Reddit, joining Facebook groups, or contacting anyone on social media. Instead, check trusted secondary sellers such as Ticombo, Seatpick, or any other reputable and verified ticket marketplace — they all have to guarantee your purchase. Please note that prices on the secondary market may exceed face value. Fans traveling in groups should carefully coordinate their seating arrangements; neighbouring seats are not always available, and each venue has varying seat configurations.

Tips for Fans Visiting the USA

Currency: All of the host cities and venues operate on US Dollars. Skip the airport currency exchange for better rates at ATMs and financial services like Wise when converting Euros to US Dollars.

Cellular: A normal Portuguese SIM card will most likely not offer American service. The best alternatives include eSIM service such as Airalo or short-term US T-Mobile tourist plans.

Health insurance: In the United States, there is no free health care for visitors. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical coverage is essential before departure, as European health cards do not apply in the United States.

Embassies: Portugal has consulates in Newark, Boston, New York, Providence, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami. Many of these are conveniently located in cities with major Portuguese-American populations. Save the consular numbers before you go.

Weather: Expect scorching heat and humidity in Miami and Dallas in July. Los Angeles is warm and dry. The climate in these cities is far different from Portugal in summer. Bring sun screen and stay hydrated.

Final Thoughts

Portugal travel to the 2026 World Cup arguably with its most complete team ever and a player whose entire career has been geared to achieving one final World Cup title. It could be the end of the Ronaldo story, either in triumph or with yet another tearful exit from World Cup glory. The whole football world will be watching, and the matches will be historic.

Fans who want to see Portugal live in 2026 for what might be the most emotional period of its history shouldn't delay. Portugal World Cup 2026 Tickets are very highly sought after for the tournament, and the opportunity to get them from a reliable source is fast closing.

This is Ronaldo's last dance.

Disclaimer: Visa requirements, hotel availability, flight costs, and ticket policies are subject to change. Fans should verify all entry information with their local government, FIFA's official pages, and their airline. Ticket prices may differ from face value on the secondary market.