Portugal ended their long wait for an international title at Euro 2016 when Fernando Santos’ side beat hosts France in the final.
That success ended years of near-misses for the Iberian superpowers, who hailed Portugal as the ‘almost men’ of European international football.
Spain’s dominance between 2008 and 2012 only increased the pressure on Santos, as well as talisman Cristiano Ronaldo and Manchester United, who could bid farewell to their tournament at this year’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Santos chose a solid core of players during Portugal’s World Cup qualifying campaign, and he is not expected to spring many surprises in his final squad as they prepare to face Uruguay, Ghana, and South Korea in Group H.
Portugal World Cup Squad 2022
Santos has named a massive 55-man provisional squad ahead of the World Cup, with the veteran coach keeping his options open due to injury and form concerns.
He opted to leave out some experienced names from the final 26-man panel, including 146-cap Joao Moutinho, with Santos relying on a strong contingent of Premier League talent in Qatar.
| Position | No. | Player | Club | Age | Caps |
| GK | 1 | Rui Patricio | Roma (ITA) | 34 | 104 |
| GK | 12 | Jose Sa | Wolves (ENG) | 29 | 0 |
| GK | 22 | Diogo Costa | Porto (POR) | 23 | 7 |
| DEF | 3 | Pepe | Porto (POR) | 39 | 128 |
| DEF | 6 | Raphael Guerreiro | Borussia Dortmund (GER) | 28 | 56 |
| DEF | 2 | Diogo Dalot | Manchester United (ENG) | 23 | 6 |
| DEF | 24 | Antonio Silva | Benfica (POR) | 19 | 0 |
| DEF | 4 | Ruben Dias | Manchester City (ENG) | 25 | 39 |
| DEF | 19 | Nuno Mendes | PSG (FRA) | 20 | 16 |
| DEF | 13 | Danilo Pereira | PSG (FRA) | 31 | 63 |
| DEF | 20 | Joao Cancelo | Manchester City (ENG) | 28 | 37 |
| MID | 25 | Otavio | Porto (POR) | 27 | 7 |
| MID | 6 | Joao Palhinha | Fulham (ENG) | 27 | 15 |
| MID | 8 | Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United (ENG) | 28 | 48 |
| MID | 23 | Matheus Nunes | Wolves (ENG) | 24 | 9 |
| MID | 14 | William Carvalho | Real Betis (ESP) | 30 | 75 |
| MID | 16 | Vitinha | PSG (FRA) | 22 | 4 |
| MID | 17 | Joao Mario | Benfica (POR) | 29 | 52 |
| MID | 18 | Ruben Neves | Wolves (ENG) | 25 | 32 |
| FWD | 10 | Bernardo Silva | Manchester City (ENG) | 28 | 72 |
| FWD | 7 | Cristiano Ronaldo | Manchester United (ENG) | 37 | 191 |
| FWD | 21 | Ricardo Horta | Braga (POR) | 28 | 5 |
| FWD | 15 | Rafael Leao | AC Milan (ITA) | 23 | 11 |
| FWD | 11 | Joao Felix | Atletico Madrid (ESP) | 22 | 23 |
| FWD | 26 | Goncalo Ramos | Benfica (POR) | 21 | 0 |
| FWD | 9 | Andre Silva | RB Leipzig (GER) | 26 | 51 |
The Stars, Strengths, and Weaknesses of the Portugal National Team
Portugal had failed to reach the round of 16 at a World Cup since 2006 and was defeated in the first knockout stage of Euro 2020.
That record has seen Santos’ charges slide down the pecking order within European football.
The Portuguese FA has stuck with Santos through some difficult spells, but the credit in the bank from Euro 2016 may not be enough to save him if expectations are not met in Qatar.
STARS
Santos is blessed with a squad full of talented players plying their trade across Europe, including Manchester City/United and Premier League quarterbacks Ronaldo, Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva.
POWERS
Those four players form the backbone of Santos, but the injury absence of Liverpool star Diogo Jota will be a major blow. However, Joao Felix should reduce his reliance on Ronaldo for his key goals.
Dias’ partnership with veteran Pepe has worked positively over the last 12 months, despite the progress of recent years but Cancelo’s speed in recovery helps bridge potential gaps.
WEAKNESS
A lack of pace at the back of their defense has been an issue at times, but only against sides that opt for a more direct approach, with the lack of a solid right-back a minor problem for Sancho.
The balance in midfield also presents problems, with Joao Palhinho or Ruben Neves potentially drafted in at the expense of more attack-minded options, and Ronaldo’s lack of game time at United this season could reduce his impact.