Portugal announce final 26-man World Cup squad as two Premier League stars snubbed

Portugal's final squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been announced, and Roberto Martinez has made the brutal call to leave an in-demand Premier League player at home.

The European club football season is almost over, with leagues across the continent wrapping up in the coming days ahead of a busy schedule at the World Cup this summer.

Hosted in the USA, Canada and Mexico, the 2026 FIFA World Cup officially kicks off on June 11 as Mexico welcome South Africa to the iconic Estadio Azteca for the opening fixture.

Ahead of the tournament beginning all 48 nations taking part are required to confirm their final 26-man squads by June 1, but many national teams announce their lists well before that date.

Among those to already do so are France, Croatia, Belgium and, most recently, Brazil as manager Carlo Ancelotti made a controversial call to include Neymar Jr at the expense of one of the Premier League's best players this season.

And now, Portugal boss Roberto Martinez has made an equally brutal decision as he's named his full squad for the 2026 World Cup.

The squad begins with the inclusion of four goalkeepers with no.1 Diogo Costa joined by Wolves' José Sá, Rui Silva and Ricardo Velho.

Manchester City stars Matheus Nunes and Rúben Dias are included in the defence, alongside Manchester United's Diogo Dalot and Paris Saint-Germain's Nuno Mendes.

In midfield, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes makes the cut with Manchester City's Bernardo Silva and PSG pair Vitinha and João Neves also included.

Leading the line will of course be Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo, who will feature in his 13th major intertnational tournament, joined by the likes of Chelsea's Pedro Neto and AC Milan star Rafael Leão.

However, the biggest omission appears to be West Ham United's Matheus Fernandes, who has missed out despite an impressive season for the Hammers this campaign.

The 21-year-old's recent form led to him being called up to represent Portugal for the first time in March and yet won't be present in the summer.

His performances this season has also led to links with several of the biggest clubs in the world, including Manchester United following a personal recommendation from Bruno Fernandes himself.

And Matheus isn't the only Premier League star to be left out of the squad, as Tottenham Hotspur's Joao Palhinha is also absent despite making 37 senior appearances for his national team since his debut in March 2021.

Portugal squad for 2026 World Cup

Goalkeepers

• Diogo Costa
• José Sá
• Rui Silva
• Ricardo Velho

Defenders

• Diogo Dalot
• Matheus Nunes
• Nélson Semedo
• João Cancelo
• Nuno Mendes
• Gonçalo Inácio
• Renato Veiga
• Rúben Dias
• Tomás Araújo

Midfielders

• Rúben Neves
• Samuel Costa
• João Neves
• Vitinha
• Bruno Fernandes
• Bernardo Silva

Forwards

• João Félix
• Trincão
• Francisco Conceição
• Pedro Neto
• Rafael Leão
• Gonçalo Guedes
• Gonçalo Ramos
• Cristiano Ronaldo

More to follow...