Portugal team news vs Chile: Ronaldo expected to start in final World Cup warm-up

Who: Portugal v Chile, friendly at Estadio do Jamor in Oeiras. What: Final pre-World Cup warm-up with a projected Portugal XI that includes Cristiano Ronaldo. When: The friendly takes place five days before Portugal open their 2026 World Cup campaign. Why it matters: This match offers the last meaningful look at Roberto Martinez’s selection and tactics before Portugal travel to North America for the tournament.

Why it matters

With the World Cup starting in less than a week and Portugal set to face DR Congo in their opening Group K fixture, this friendly is one of the final opportunities for Martinez to finalise roles, test combinations and manage fitness. The expected inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo adds another subplot: at 41, Ronaldo is preparing for a potential sixth World Cup and remains central to Portugal’s attacking plans, so his minutes and role here will attract scrutiny.

Projected Portugal lineup and selection notes

According to projected lineups shared by World Soccer Talk, Portugal are likely to start with a 4-2-3-1 that closely resembles the side Martinez wants to take to the World Cup. The projected XI is: Diogo Costa; Dalot, Rúben Dias, Nuno Inácio, João Cancelo; Rúben Neves, S. Costa; Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leão; Cristiano Ronaldo. The manager is expected to field a near-full-strength XI, though some players linked with Paris Saint-Germain may be missing due to recent club commitments.

Chile's situation and projected XI

Chile arrive in Oeiras amid a rebuilding phase after failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. The team finished bottom of CONMEBOL qualifying and are using friendlies to blood a new generation of players. World Soccer Talk’s projected Chile XI (4-2-3-1) lists Vigouroux in goal, Lichnovsky, Maripán, Sierralta and Suazo across the back four; Pizarro and Loyola in midfield; Gutiérrez, Osorio and Sepúlveda behind captain—or advanced midfielder—Charles Aránguiz/Marcelo Tapia (projected name listed as Tapia). The side’s inconsistent recent results — a 4-2 win over Cape Verde followed by a 4-1 defeat to New Zealand — underline defensive issues Portugal may aim to exploit.

• Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start for Portugal in the friendly, according to projected lineups.
• Portugal are using a near full-strength XI as a final tune-up before the 2026 World Cup.
• Portugal open their World Cup campaign against DR Congo on June 17 in Houston.
• Chile failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup and are rebuilding after a poor CONMEBOL campaign.
• Projected formations for both teams are 4-2-3-1, per the source.

Tactical and squad implications

If Martinez does start the projected XI, it signals confidence in a familiar structure: a back four protecting two central midfielders with Bernardo Silva and Bruno Fernandes providing creativity and Rafael Leão offering wide threat behind Ronaldo. Managing Ronaldo’s minutes will be the key talking point — how much match time he receives here could indicate Martinez’s plans for rotation in the group stage.

What happens next

This friendly should reveal Martinez’s latest thinking on his final World Cup preparations, but confirmation requires the official starting lineups and any subsequent substitutions. Follow official announcements from the Portuguese Football Federation and match reports for verified team sheets and exact minutes played.