Portugal Lead 48-Team Field as When Is The World Cup Looms

Portugal look like one of the strongest first-time winners as when is the world cup heads into its 2026 edition with 48 teams. Cristiano Ronaldo may be playing his international swansong, and the wider format gives outsiders a cleaner path to the trophy than the old 32-team tournament.

Portugal’s balance around Ronaldo

Roberto Martínez has a squad built around more than one star. Vitinha is described as arguably the world’s finest midfielder, João Neves has emerged alongside him at Paris Saint-Germain, Bruno Fernandes arrives at the peak of his powers, and Rúben Dias has a dependable partner in Gonçalo Inácio.

Nuno Mendes adds one of the world’s best full-backs, while Diogo Costa is dependable in goal. Behind them, Portugal can turn to Gonçalo Ramos, João Félix, Rúben Neves and Bernardo Silva from the bench. That depth is why Portugal sit among the leading candidates without having won the men's World Cup before.

Ronaldo’s November red card

Ronaldo was a regular starter at center-forward in qualifying, but he has not featured for Portugal since his red card against Ireland in November. Portugal reached the 2022 World Cup with his declining athleticism complicating their campaign, which is why Martínez’s challenge in 2026 is less about carrying one forward and more about keeping the team’s structure intact.

Portugal’s case is not built on sentiment. It is built on the fact that they won Euro 2016, have a manager who previously coached Belgium’s golden generation, and now have a squad that can spread responsibility across the pitch rather than lean on one player alone.

Germany, Brazil and the bracket

They are not the only ones in the conversation. The Netherlands went through eight Uefa qualifying matches without defeat and outscored opponents 27-4, while Spain are the reigning European champions, Argentina won the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América, and France have reached the last two World Cup finals.

There are still reasons the favorites may not have it easy. Brazil lost six matches in qualifying and are still acclimating to Carlo Ancelotti. Germany have some great young players but arrive without a dependable No 9, and Italy missed out on the World Cup altogether again. The newly hatched Round of 32 adds another hurdle, along with considerable travel, historically high temperatures and expensive tickets that could leave stadiums tense.

For supporters, that is the real shift in 2026: the field is larger, the path is longer, and the margin for error is thinner. With only eight nations having won the men's World Cup to date, a wider draw and a more punishing schedule give Portugal, the Netherlands and other contenders a real chance to break through this summer.