Ronaldo Urges Portugal to Focus on Good Start Before Title Hopes at World Cup

Sunday, June 14, 2026

Cristiano Ronaldo stated that Portugal will prioritize a strong start in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, focusing on advancing step-by-step through the group stage before targeting later success. This cautious strategy reflects Portugal’s aim to surpass their 2022 quarterfinal result, with Ronaldo expressing confidence in the current squad’s readiness and potential impact.

Portugal is entering the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a focus on securing a strong start rather than immediate ambitions of winning the tournament, according to Cristiano Ronaldo. The 41-year-old forward, making his sixth World Cup appearance, emphasized the importance of progressing through each stage carefully at the expanded 48-team event taking place in the United States.

Speaking from Portugal ahead of the team's departure, Ronaldo highlighted the need to concentrate on the initial matches, describing a step-by-step approach as essential for success. "It is important to get off to a good start, do well in the first and second matches and then finish first in the group," he said. Ronaldo cautioned against placing too much emphasis on the ultimate prize early on, noting that "a good start is the most important thing."

Portugal is drawn into Group K, where they will face Congo on June 14 in Houston, followed by a match against Uzbekistan on June 23 in the same city. The group stage will conclude on June 27 in Miami with a game against Colombia.

Ronaldo also remarked that the tournament’s later stages would reveal the most resilient teams, as “psychological and physical fatigue” begin to influence outcomes. This mindset comes as Portugal aims to make a deeper run than their quarterfinal exit in 2022, when they were eliminated by Morocco.

Historically, Portugal has qualified for nine World Cups, with their best performances including a third-place finish in 1966 and a fourth-place showing in 2006—the year Ronaldo made his World Cup debut. Although the team has not yet secured a World Cup title, they did capture the European Championship in 2016.

Ronaldo, who currently plays in Saudi Arabia following stints with Real Madrid and Manchester United, praised the current squad as a strong generation of players. He described the team’s preparations at home as intense and productive and said both he and his teammates feel physically ready and optimistic.

“Winning or losing, which is the most important thing, depends on many factors,” Ronaldo noted. Still, he expressed confidence that this group would bring pride to the Portuguese people and make a significant impact at the tournament.