Ronaldo Pushes Back on Fitness Questions as Portugal Prepares for World Cup Opener

The forward did not score in Portugal's last two World Cup warm-up matches, a 2:1 win over Nigeria and a previous fixture against Chile. Despite the lack of goals, Ronaldo framed his form positively and pointed to the attacking variety in Roberto Martínez's squad. "Ich fühle mich körperlich gut. Ich bin sehr positiv. Ich glaube, dass alles gut laufen wird und wir eine gute Leistung zeigen werden." he added in a separate comment reported by ESPN.

Sixth World Cup, Same Ambition

Ronaldo has now been selected for a sixth World Cup, a record that underlines his longevity at the top of the sport. He acknowledged, however, that even preparation cannot account for every variable. "Aber es gibt Faktoren, die wir nicht kontrollieren können." he said, hinting at the unpredictability of tournament football. Portugal is described as a co-favorite for the title, and Ronaldo's presence remains central to how the team is perceived internationally.

Portugal's first opponent in Group K is the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with the match scheduled for Wednesday at 19:00 in Houston. Group K also includes Colombia and Uzbekistan, two opponents Portugal will need to navigate if it is to finish at the top of the section. "Das Wichtigste ist, gut zu starten und dann die Gruppe als Erster zu beenden." Ronaldo said, framing the opener as a tone-setter for the entire campaign.

Group K: From Houston to the Knockout Stage

Asked directly whether Portugal should be considered a candidate to lift the trophy, Ronaldo declined to set a public target. "Das werden wir erst am Ende wissen." he said. He was more effusive when describing the current squad, calling it a "sehr gute Generation" of players who, in his view, can bring real joy to Portuguese supporters during the tournament.

The 2026 World Cup is the first to feature 48 participating teams and is being staged across host cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Portugal's group-stage opener will be broadcast live on Servus TV. Beyond the football, the tournament has also generated headlines off the pitch, from Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa announcing a temporary cut to beer taxes during the competition to a major Hong Kong customs seizure of counterfeit jerseys, balls and boots valued at roughly 18 million euros.

A 48-Team Tournament With a Global Backdrop

The contrast between Ronaldo's veteran status and the freshness of Portugal's wider squad is one of the subplots Martínez must manage. The coach has built a side that blends experienced core players with younger attacking options, and Ronaldo's role is likely to be carefully managed across a compressed group-stage schedule. For now, the message from Portugal's camp is that focus, not fatigue, is the immediate concern.

Ronaldo's stated objective is straightforward: start well, top Group K, and see where the tournament takes him from there. With the Democratic Republic of the Congo first up, the immediate task is to convert preparation into points before attention turns to the higher-stakes fixtures that follow.