Ronaldo Sprints at 40 as Portugal Assemble Full Squad in Oeiras

The decisive fortnight that will either cement Portugal’s safe passage to the 2026 World Cup or leave the job half-done has begun in Oeiras. Cristiano Ronaldo, now 40 but still terrifying speed-guns, is on the grass alongside the returning duo Rafael Leão and Matheus Nunes. Meanwhile Roberto Martínez juggles fresh injury headaches in a group that, points-wise, already owns a comfortable cushion at the top of Group F.

Oeiras buzzes as Seleção gears up for pivotal double-header

Jogging lines snake across the lush main pitch of the Cidade do Futebol while drones from the federation’s analysis team hover overhead. Cameras were only allowed in for the opening quarter-hour, yet it was long enough to note full-throttle sprints by Ronaldo, the grin on Leão’s face after his first competitive touches since September, and a tactical chat between Martínez and Bruno Fernandes. The mood, insiders say, is unusually relaxed for a camp that precedes back-to-back qualifiers against the Republic of Ireland and Hungary at the José Alvalade. Six points would all but lock up first place and with it a direct ticket to North America.

Who made the list – and who stayed home

Martínez ended up with 25 names after late doctor’s notes forced changes. Between the posts he kept faith in Diogo Costa, José Sá and Rui Silva. The back line features a blend of youthful Benfica-bred centre-backs António Silva and Gonçalo Inácio plus Premier League anchor Rúben Dias. Nélson Semedo’s recall covers the absence of the stricken João Cancelo, while Nuno Tavares was added when João Neves pulled out. Midfield remains crowded: Vitinha, Palhinha, Bernardo Silva, Rúben Neves and the rejuvenated Matheus Nunes. Up front, alongside Ronaldo, Gonçalo Ramos and João Félix, Martínez rewarded club form from Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceição. The coach insists “competition for places is healthy” – translation: nobody is untouchable.

Returnees looking to make immediate impact

Rafael Leão spent the last month rehabbing a thigh strain in Milan’s new performance centre; he arrives sharp, having clocked 34 km/h in sprint tests ahead of departure. His creativity down the left, staff believe, could be priceless against an Irish back five that often drifts narrow. Matheus Nunes, meanwhile, brings Manchester City-trained versatility – capable of dropping to right-back or bursting late into the box. And then there is Semedo: after swapping Wolverhampton for Istanbul he has rediscovered the attacking verve that once made Barcelona pay €35 M. Martínez’s back-room team quietly see him as the key to Uruguay-born physical trainer António Lobo’s pressing triggers on the flank.

The medical room: latest on Cancelo, Neves and Félix

João Cancelo’s long-range shooting may not be missed this window; a torn thigh muscle suffered on 21 September rules him out until at least mid-November. Midfield prodigy João Neves also stays in Paris, nursing a tendon problem from a Champions League night against Atalanta. The biggest suspense hovers over João Félix, who skipped the final workout before Ireland with gym-only work. Federation doctors speak of “muscular overload” rather than a tear, yet the option of starting Pedro Neto on the right wing is being drilled as insurance. The rest of the squad trained at full intensity, offering Martínez his oft-quoted “máxima força” for tactical rehearsals.

Road to North America: what Portugal needs from this window

After two wins from two, Portugal top Group F on 6 points, three clear of Armenia and five ahead of both Hungary and Ireland. With only the group winner earning automatic qualification, the arithmetic is simple: claim victories in Lisbon on Saturday and Tuesday, and hope Armenia fail to collect six points of their own, and Portugal will clinch its ninth World Cup berth – the seventh in succession. Stumble, and the drama rolls into November, or worse, the March 2026 play-offs that nobody in the federation wishes to revisit after the nerve-shredding path to Qatar three years ago.

Why the Estádio José Alvalade matters this week

The Alvalade last hosted the national team 14 months ago for a friendly against Switzerland; since then it has undergone a €5 M pitch renovation that promises Premier-League-grade drainage. Sporting supporters have already sold out their allocation, and the FPF expects over 46 000 voices in green seats on both matchdays. The stadium’s tight sight-lines and resonant acoustics are considered advantageous when Portugal want to press high – “you feel the crowd breathing down your neck,” as Rúben Dias put it. For Lisbon-based fans, Metro’s green line delivers to Campo Grande in under 15 minutes from Baixa, meaning no excuses for late arrivals.

Timetable and how to watch from Portugal

Kick-off against Ireland is booked for 19:45 local time this Saturday; Hungary follow at the same hour three nights later. Both fixtures air free-to-air on RTP 1, with SportTV offering 4K coverage and a dedicated Player Cam focusing on Ronaldo’s off-ball movement. The federation’s official app streams the opening quarter of each training session live, a novelty introduced this cycle. And for those travelling, the FPF still has a handful of tickets at €15 in the family section. One way or another, the next 180 competitive minutes will tell Portugal whether to start planning for Boston and Guadalajara – or to keep the calculators handy for November.