Cristiano Ronaldo is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time in football, but he has never won a FIFA World Cup. He made his World Cup debut in 2006, and the 2026 mega event in the US, Canada and Mexico will be his sixth for Portugal.

Ronaldo has said the 2026 World Cup could be his last chance to lift the elite football trophy.

“Definitely, yes,” he told a Saudi forum by video link, when asked if 2026 would be his World Cup swansong.

“I’m gonna be 41 years old and I think it will be the moment.

“Let’s be honest, when I mean soon, it’s probably one or two years I’ll still be at the game.”

Cristiano Ronaldo poised for historic sixth World Cup appearance

No male footballer has ever played six World Cups. Still, Ronaldo, with his extraordinary fitness, will make it possible in this year’s extravaganza in North America, scheduled from 11 June to 18 July. Lionel Messi will also join him with six appearances for Argentina.

Cristiano has the opportunity to score in six different World Cup tournaments, which will be a huge milestone. The Portuguese striker is already the only player to have found the net in five separate editions, scoring eight goals in 22 appearances.

Portugal’s coach, Roberto Martinez, when talking about Ronaldo’s inclusion in the squad for the World Cup, said that the Al-Nassr striker’s addition is purely on merit.

“Age is only a number,” Martinez said.

“Certainly in the national team we can measure exactly what’s happening on the day, and you make the decisions for the next day. You never look any longer than the next day.

“We manage the Cristiano Ronaldo that plays for the national team trying to get into the squad for 2026, not the iconic figure.”

Cristiano Ronaldo’s international and World Cup career

Cristiano Ronaldo made his senior team debut with Portugal on 20 August 2003 in a friendly match against Kazakhstan, which his team won by 1-0.

Cristiano made his FIFA World Cup debut against Angola on June 11, 2006, in Germany during the group stage.

Who would have thought that a boy from Madeira, who is going to feature at a record sixth World Cup in 2026, along with Argentina’s Messi and Mexico’s Guillermo Ochoa, both fellow six-timers, would become the leading scorer in international football for Portugal with 143 goals?

Ronaldo’s career achievements

Ronaldo, who represents Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League at 41, is not only the leading scorer for his nation but has also scored more than 950 goals for club and country, and is aiming for 1000 career goals.

Cristiano has won five Ballon d’Or awards and the same number of UEFA Champions League titles. The Portuguese forward has won one trophy with Manchester United and four with Real Madrid.

Portugal’s captain has achieved remarkable success with his country, leading the team to victory at Euro 2016 and the UEFA Nations League three years later in 2019 in its inaugural edition.

He recently helped Portugal secure their second UEFA Nations League trophy in June 2025, making them the country with the most titles at the tournament.

Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player to have featured in six European Championships and holds the record for most goals in the history of the competition with 14.

The World Cup is the only major trophy missing from the Portuguese star’s cabinet and it looks like this edition could be the one in which his dream comes true, as he has built a strong squad around him.

Portugal debuted in the World Cup in 1966 in England, where they finished third, which is the best in their history. They have appeared eight times at the mega football event and their second-best performance was in 2006 in Germany. And their current FIFA ranking is fifth.

Portugal’s World Cup squad analysis

Portugal’s World Cup squad looks balanced and variety is the key strength of the unit. Many pundits say Ronaldo has a key role in building the current unit. Joao Neves and Matheus Nunes have the quality to play as both full-backs and midfielders. Diogo Dalot and Joao Cancelo are comfortable operating on either flank, and Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva provide fluidity by constantly rotating roles.

The team’s core is well defined, built around figures like Diogo Costa, Ruben Dias, Fernandes, Silva and Ronaldo, with Nuno Mendes and Vitinha also serving as guaranteed starters.

Ronaldo has the luxury of playing in front of a world-class midfield. Fernandes, Vitinha, Neves, and Silva are all playing in the top clubs of the world and are in top form.

Fernandes had a remarkable season with Manchester United, notching up a record 21 Premier League assists. Vitinha is also in the form of his life, and Neves, still just 21 years old, is rapidly becoming one of the smartest midfielders in Europe.

Vitinha and Neves have won back-to-back Champions League and Ligue 1 trophies with Luis Enrique’s PSG.

Cristiano Ronaldo optimistic about Portugal’s World Cup campaign

Cristiano is hopeful and positive about Portugal’s World Cup 2026 campaign, saying that they have worked really hard for the tournament and things will go well.

“We’re approaching this competition with a lot of hope,” said the five-time Ballon d’Or winner.

“The preparation has been very good, tiring, because we have worked hard.

“I am very positive, I believe things will go well and that we will put in a good performance.

“It’s a very good generation… which will bring a lot of joy to the Portuguese people.

“The most important thing is to start well, with the first match, then follow up with the second and third… finish top of the group and from there, take it one match at a time.”

Looking at Portugal’s strong squad and their recent performances, one can say that this is the best chance for Ronaldo to lift his first World Cup trophy and end his career by creating history for his country.

Portugal’s full World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Silva (Sporting Lisbon), Ricardo Velho (Genclerbirligi)

Defenders: Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Joao Cancelo (Barcelona), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahce), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Renato Veiga (Villarreal), Tomas Araujo (Benfica)

Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Vitinha (PSG), Joao Neves (PSG), Ruben Neves (Al Hilal), Samu Costa (Mallorca)

Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Joao Felix (Al Nassr), Goncalo Ramos (PSG), Pedro Neto (Chelsea), Francisco Conceicao (Juventus), Goncalo Guedes (Real Sociedad), Francisco Trincao (Sporting Lisbon).