- Portugal's star-studded national football team, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, is making their World Cup 2026 debut Wednesday and they are widely considered one of the favourites to win their first-ever trophy.
- But it’s an emotional start to the tournament as the squad honours the late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, a regular in the national squad who died in a car crash in Spain last July. He has been posthumously included as an honorary team member by coach Roberto Martínez, and each player received a bracelet from Portugal’s Prime Minister, bearing their own name alongside Jota’s.
- "We have received this with a lot of love," Midfielder Vitinha said, gesturing to the green and red band on his wrist that each player will wear in the game against Congo on 17 June in Houston.
- Upon their arrival in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, Portugal faced humid conditions and temperatures in the upper 80s F (around 31-32 Celsius) during their first training session, highlighting a significant challenge for the tournament.
- Vitinha acknowledged that the extreme heat would impact players but said, “With the temperatures in the United States, Mexico and Canada, it is very different, but it is the world championship. There are no excuses. There are no conditions that can keep us from giving everything for our national team."
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