Cristiano Ronaldo's potential participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, remains a significant question for the Portuguese national team. As of March 2026, the 41-year-old forward continues to play professionally for Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia but has not made a definitive statement regarding his international retirement plans.
Portuguese national team manager, Roberto Martinez, has previously stated that the door remains open for Ronaldo as long as he is playing competitive football and maintains his performance level. However, no official squad decisions for the 2026 tournament have been made, with qualifiers and preparatory matches still ongoing.
The primary concerns surrounding his participation are his age and physical condition by the time the tournament begins in June 2026. While Ronaldo has expressed a desire to continue playing at the highest level, the final decision will depend on his form and fitness closer to the event, as well as the manager's assessment of the squad's needs.
If Ronaldo does compete, he would be 41 years old at the start of the World Cup, setting a record for the oldest outfield player in the tournament's history. His experience would be invaluable, but the Portuguese squad is also developing younger attacking talents like Gonçalo Ramos and João Félix.
