Portugal stands on the cusp of securing its place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, needing just two points from its final two qualification matches.
A single victory against Ireland in an upcoming fixture would guarantee the Portuguese squad’s participation in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Alternatively, two draws—one against Ireland and another in their final match against Armenia—would also be sufficient to seal their qualification.
Currently, Portugal holds 11 points in the standings. Their strong position is further bolstered by a significant goal difference, which serves as the primary tie-breaker in case of equal points.
Portugal’s goal difference stands at a robust +7, significantly ahead of competitors such as Hungary (+1) and Ireland (-1). This advantage means even 10 points could theoretically be enough depending on other results.
Forward Cristiano Ronaldo expressed the team’s confidence on social media, stating, “We are getting closer to our goal! Let’s go, Portugal!”
The 2026 World Cup is set to feature an expanded format with 48 participating nations. So far, 28 teams have already secured their spots.
Recent qualifiers include South Africa, Qatar, England, Saudi Arabia, Ivory Coast, and Senegal.