Martínez to Unveil Portugal Squad on 7 Nov in Bid to Clinch World Cup Spot

The suspense hanging over Portugal’s coaching headquarters in Oeiras will end in just a few days, when Roberto Martínez finally reveals the names he trusts to finish the job of sending the Seleção das Quinas to North America. Supporters already know the arithmetic: one win on Irish soil is enough, but the intrigue lies in which players—some fighting injuries, others pushing for a first-time call-up—will be handed the chance to clinch it.

Why this call matters

For a squad that sits atop Group J with a comfortable lead, the November list carries an importance that goes beyond mere formality. Securing qualification in Dublin would spare Portugal the nerves of a last-day decider and allow Martínez to experiment three days later against Armenia in Porto. A smooth passage also frees the coaching staff to schedule higher-calibre friendlies early next year, a luxury previous generations rarely enjoyed before World Cup tournaments.

The calendar crunch: Dublin then Porto

The fixture order has handed Portugal contrasting backdrops. First comes the chill of the Aviva Stadium on 13 November, where the Republic of Ireland—mathematically alive, emotionally desperate—are expected to unleash a physical approach. Three days later, the Estádio do Dragão offers home comforts and what could be a celebratory atmosphere against Armenia. Portuguese Football Federation officials have hinted at a ticket sell-out if qualification is wrapped up early, turning the Porto match into a showcase for fringe players.

Who’s in the medical room

Martínez’s most delicate file sits on the desk marked “João Neves.” The Benfica midfielder is still nursing a left-thigh strain picked up during a league win over Chaves and has not featured since. Team doctors will run a final scan this weekend, but optimism is thin. By contrast, Rafael Leão, Nélson Semedo and Matheus Nunes have returned to full training with their clubs after separate knocks and are expected to be green-lighted. Analysts believe the only other lingering concern involves workload management for veterans such as Rúben Dias, who has amassed over 1,800 competitive minutes already this season.

Tactical dilemmas Martínez must solve

The Spanish coach has surprised observers with fluid roles in recent windows—Bernardo Silva drifting to the left, Diogo Dalot popping up in midfield lanes, even a cameo from João Neves at right-back before the injury. November’s double-header could accelerate that flexibility. One school of thought urges continuity to bank the required points quickly; another argues for an infusion of freshness after the 3-0 win away to Bosnia & Herzegovina last time out. The debate inside Cidade do Futebol reportedly centres on whether to pair Cristiano Ronaldo with a mobile second striker—Gonçalo Ramos or Pedro Neto—or revert to the tried-and-tested lone-front spear with Bruno Fernandes as the advanced playmaker.

Youth pipeline moves on the same day

A few hours after Martínez addresses the press, Under-21 boss Rui Jorge will unveil his own group for a Euro 2025 qualifier against the Czech Republic. The timing is deliberate: the senior staff want to monitor promising youngsters on identical recovery cycles in case they need emergency promotions. Insiders tip Benfica’s left-back Leonardo Lelo and Sporting’s versatile midfielder João Muniz as names pencilled onto both provisional sheets.

How and when to follow the announcement

The Portuguese Football Federation will stream the senior unveiling live at 12:30 from the auditorium in Oeiras. Television partners RTP3 and Sport TV have cleared simultaneous coverage, while the FPF’s social channels promise instant graphics for those sneaking looks at work. In past call-ups, Martínez has fielded questions for roughly 20 minutes before slipping backstage to sign off on the Under-21 list. Expect similar choreography this time around.

What comes next on the road to 2026

If victory in Dublin seals the deal, the November international window morphs into a laboratory. Martínez hinted in October that he “owes opportunities” to the locker-room’s quieter faces, suggesting that fringe defenders like Gonçalo Inácio or Tiago Djaló could collect valuable minutes in Porto. Conversely, should Ireland spring a surprise, all bets are off and the full-strength XI will grind again. Either scenario funnels into the same long-term objective: reaching the 2026 finals with a balanced blend of experience and innovation, convinced that Portugal’s ninth World Cup appearance can be its golden one.