Why Portugal are delaying their World Cup trip: Martinez explains late US arrival before 2026 opener

Portugal will remain in Europe and delay their journey to North America until June 12, one day after the 2026 World Cup officially begins, manager Roberto Martinez said — a deliberate decision aimed at maximising the squad’s final preparation ahead of their opening match on June 17 in Houston. The plan affects Cristiano Ronaldo as he targets a sixth World Cup and follows Portugal’s recent Nations League success.

Why it matters

Arriving later than most other European teams is notable because it changes the squad’s acclimatisation and training timeline in the days before the tournament. According to Martinez, the decision is tactical: Portugal’s coaching staff prefer the final days of preparation to take place in familiar surroundings in Europe rather than adapting early to a new environment in the United States. That choice has implications for player fitness management, warm-up matches and match readiness for a squad with both experienced leaders and several younger stars.

Martinez outlines the thinking behind the late departure

Martinez told reporters that the importance of the team’s warm-up schedule is not just about the results of friendly matches but how those fixtures are used to develop individuals and complete tactical work. He said the technical staff valued the ability to work in a known setting in the final days before departure and that past World Cup experience helped shape the decision. Martinez explained that the team will make full use of substitutions in friendlies to focus on player development and preparation rather than purely on winning those matches.

Squad context and immediate schedule

The squad arriving later features veteran Cristiano Ronaldo, who would be making his sixth World Cup appearance if selected, alongside the younger core of players that helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League—including Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, João Neves, Nuno Mendes and Rafael Leão, all named in the source as part of the group shaping Portugal’s credentials going into the tournament. Portugal are drawn in Group K with Colombia, DR Congo and Uzbekistan, and their first match is scheduled for June 17 in Houston. Martinez said Portugal will leave for the United States on June 12 to finish preparation at home beforehand.

• Portugal will travel to the United States on June 12, one day after the tournament officially begins (source).
• Portugal’s opening World Cup match is scheduled for June 17 in Houston (source).
• Roberto Martinez says the late departure is to maximise preparation time in Europe and focus on individual player development in warm-up matches (source).
• Martinez intends to use all 11 substitutions in friendlies to prioritise preparation over results (source).
• Portugal’s squad includes Cristiano Ronaldo and several younger players who helped win the Nations League (source).

Implications for preparation and selection

Martinez’s schedule suggests a preference for a controlled training environment in the final pre-tournament phase, prioritising tactical training and individual attention. Using full substitution allowances in warm-up fixtures will allow Martinez to assess fringe players and manage minutes for senior internationals, potentially influencing final selection and match fitness for the opening fixture in Houston.

This approach contrasts with teams that choose to arrive early and acclimatise to local conditions, a strategy that can help with jet lag and local climate adjustment. Martinez framed Portugal’s plan as informed by his World Cup experience, implying the staff judged home-based training in the immediate run-up to be more valuable than an earlier relocation.

What happens next

Portugal will complete their final preparation block in Europe before departing for the United States on June 12. They play a friendly against Chile in the build-up, where Martinez has said the main objective is preparation and player development rather than the result. The squad then travel to Houston to face Colombia in their Group K opener on June 17.