Portugal boss Fernando Santos has confirmed his squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. So, HITC Football looks at the Selecao’s best XI with Joao Cancelo joining Cristiano Ronaldo.
Santos takes his side to the Middle East this winter eying his nation’s first FIFA title at their eighth attempt. Portugal finished third on their debut appearance at a World Cup in 1966. But the Selecao have only reached the semi-finals once since after finishing fourth in 2006.
It was under Santos that Portugal reached the Round of 16 at the 21st edition of the World Cup at Russia 2018. But he could not stop the Selecao losing 2-1 to Uruguay. Now Ronaldo and co fly to the Arabian Peninsula to face Uruguay, Ghana and South Korea in Group H.
Santos has named 10 Premier League players in Portugal’s 2022 World Cup squad
Portugal begin their Group H campaign at Qatar 2022 against Ghana on November 24. The Selecao will then seek revenge for Russia 2018 when they meet Uruguay on November 28. While South Korea await the Selecao on December 2 on the last day of group stage games.
Injuries have restricted who Santos could announce in Portugal’s World Cup squad. Diogo Jota of Liverpool will miss the tournament with a calf issue he suffered in October. Santos has called up 10 players who currently ply their trade in the Premier League, nonetheless.
Goalkeepers: Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Patricio (AS Roma), Diogo Costa (FC Porto),
Defenders: Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Pepe (Porto), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Nuno Mendes, Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain), Antonio Silva (SL Benfica)
Midfielders: Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Palhinha (Fulham), Ruben Neves, Matheus Nunes (Wolves), William Carvalho (Real Betis), Joao Mario (Benfica), Vitinha (PSG), Otavio (Porto)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Andre Silva (RB Leipzig), Ricardo Horta (SC Braga), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Goncalo Ramos (Benfica)
So, with Santos selecting the 26 players he hopes will take Portugal to a maiden World Cup title, HITC Football has taken a look at the Selecao’s best XI from their Qatar-bound squad.
Diogo Costa (GK): The Porto star made Santos’ World Cup squad as Portugal’s No.1
Costa made Santos’ World Cup squad as Portugal’s No.1 goalkeeper at the Qatar edition of FIFA’s quadrennial tournament. The Porto stopper actually made his Selecao debut against Qatar in a friendly in October 2021. He has since recorded four clean sheets in seven caps.
Joao Cancelo (RB): Santos is taking the Manchester City ace to his first World Cup
Santos is taking Cancelo to his first World Cup having overlooked the Manchester City star in 2018 whilst at Juventus. The full-back headed to England in 2019 for £60m. He has been one of the Premier League’s best from either side on route to winning two top-flight titles.
Ruben Dias (CB): The Manchester City ace did not play a second at Russia 2018
Dias made Portugal’s squad for the last World Cup but failed to feature for a single second. The centre-back had only made his debut under Santos two weeks before the tournament started. He has since enjoyed 39 caps and been their first-choice since Russia 2018 ended.
Danilo Pereira (CB): Santos likes to use the PSG midfielder in his defence
Pereira is, by trade, a holding midfielder but has spent much of the domestic season within Paris Saint-Germain’s backline. Santos, too, likes to use the 31-year-old in his defence. The 63-cap anchor has started 11 of Portugal’s last 14 games there. He played once in midfield.
Raphael Guerreiro (LB): The Borussia Dortmund ace will add an attacking flare
Guerreiro will add an attacking flare to the left-hand side of Portugal’s squad at the World Cup in Qatar. The 56-cap dynamo boasts three goals and assists in 18 games with Borussia Dortmund this season. He has also hit three goals and 10 assists during his Selecao games.
Ruben Neves (CDM): The Wolves star will be the conductor in Portugal’s squad
Wolves captain Neves will be the conductor in Portugal’s squad at the World Cup in Qatar this winter. Santos will be keen to get the 32-cap maestro on the ball as much as possible to release his teammates. He will also offer a goal threat when advancing from deep areas.
William Carvalho (CDM): A third World Cup awaits the Real Betis ace in Qatar
A third World Cup awaits Carvalho in Qatar after making Portugal’s squads for Brazil 2014 and Russia 2018, as well. The Real Betis anchor also featured twice in Brazil and started all four of their fixtures in Russia. The 75-cap star also made their Euro 2016 and 2020 squads.
Bernardo Silva (RM): Santos will hope he gets the creator Manchester City see
Santos will hope Portugal gets the same creative force at the World Cup that Manchester City get in the Premier League in Silva. The 28-year-old has registered 24 assists and eight goals over his 72 caps to date. But he has not scored and only created six over his last 11.
Bruno Fernandes (CAM): Santos will hope there is no friction with Ronaldo
Santos will hope there is no friction between Fernandes and Ronaldo when Portugal play at the World Cup. The former has nine goals and eight assists over his 48 caps to date. But a video by Portugal appeared to show a frosty exchange between Fernandes and Ronaldo.
Neither smiled at the other as Fernandes arrived at Portugal’s camp after his Manchester United co-star. But Portuguese journalist Pedro Sepulveda told Sky Sports: “Ronaldo made a joke to Bruno Fernandes, asking him if he came by boat and not by plane.”
Rafael Leao (LM): It is the AC Milan star’s chance to shine on the World Cup stage
Qatar 2022 is Leao’s chance to shine on the World Cup stage after making Portugal’s squad for a first major tournament. The AC Milan forward only made his Selecao bow in October 2021. But he boasts seven goals and nine assists in 20 games for the Rossoneri this term.
Cristiano Ronaldo (ST): It is likely the Portugal icon’s last chance to win a World Cup
Qatar 2022 is likely to be Ronaldo’s last chance to win a World Cup after making Portugal’s squad at 37 years old. The 191-cap Selecao captain has previously featured at four editions and scored seven goals over 17 games. He enjoyed his best tournament in 2018 with four.
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