Fresh from the sobering defeat to Armenia last time out, the Republic of Ireland have the daunting task of bouncing back in what is likely to be the most difficult assignment of the campaign away to Portugal.
Roberto Martinez has selected a strong squad to choose from for the upcoming double-header, where they will also host Hungary at Sporting CP's Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Portugal started their campaign with wins in Budapest and Yerevan last month and will look to wrap up automatic qualification for next year's World Cup in this window.
Here is an in-depth look at their squad.
Goalkeepers:
Diogo Costa
Age: 26
Club: FC Porto
Debut: 2021
Caps: 38
The 26-year-old Diogo Costa has been Portugal's first choice keeper since 2022, starting in the opening group stage wins over Armenia and Hungary, and earlier this year he saved the winning penalty in the 2025 UEFA Nations League Final shootout win over Spain.
Costa has played with Porto his entire career, and now serves as the club captain.
Jose Sa
Age: 32
Club: Wolves
Debut: 2023
Caps: 3
Jose Sa is the first of many recognisable Premier League faces in Roberto Martinez’ squad. Sa is fast approaching 150 appearances for Wolves and made his Portuguese debut back in 2023 in a win over Liechtenstein.
Rui Silva
Age: 31
Club: Sporting Lisbon
Debut: 2021
Caps: 1
The older keeper of the three in the squad, Sporting Lisbon’s Rui Silva has just one cap, which came in a 4-0 win over Israel in 2021.
Defenders:
Diogo Dalot
Age: 26
Club: Manchester United
Debut: 2021
Caps: 29 (3)
Man United full-back Diogo Dalot has returned from injury to make this squad. The 26-year-old has been a mainstay for the Red Devils and provides a strong attacking edge on the flank.
Ruben Dias
Age: 28
Club: Man City
Debut: 2018
Caps: 70 (3 goals)
The reliable centre-half at the heart of the Portugal side, Man City star Dias is one of the best defenders in the game.
He has two UEFA Nations League winner’s medals (2019 and 2025) to go alongside his four Premier League titles and Champions League crown with City.
Antonio Silva
Age: 21
Club: Benfica
Debut: 2022
Caps: 18
A fresh face in the defence, Benfica’s Antonio Silva is another reliable option for Roberto Marinez. The 21-year-old came on as a substitute in the victory over Hungary last time out and has amassed 18 caps since his debut at the 2022 World Cup.
Renato Veiga
Age: 22
Club: Villarreal
Debut: 2024
Caps: 5
The only La Liga footballer in the squad, Villarreal’s Renato Veiga is another of the young guns in defence. The former Chelsea defender has played a handful of games for Portugal but has not yet featured in the qualifying campaign.
Goncalo Inacio
Age: 24
Club: Sporting Lisbon
Debut: 2023
Caps: 17 (2)
The second Sporting Lisbon man in the squad, Inacio has already played 148 times for the club. Since making his Portugal debut in 2023, he has bagged two goals, and started in the win over Armenia in round one.
Nuno Mendes
Age: 23
Club: PSG
Debut: 2021
Caps: 39 (1)
One of the best young full-backs in the game, Mendes is a key cog in both the Portugal and PSG sides. The 23-year-old started in both qualifiers so far, and has won a club treble and Nations League crown so far in 2025.
Nelson Semedo
Age: 31
Club: Fenerbahce
Debut: 2015
Caps: 44
One of many players to have passed through Wolves in his time, veteran Semedo was recently recalled by Martinez. Semedo joined Fenerbahce last summer after five seasons in the Premier League, and will be keen to make good on his chance with Joao Cancelo sidelined.
Nuno Tavares
Age: 25
Club: Lazio
Debut: 2024
Caps: 1
A late call-up to the squad, the former Arsenal full-back will be hoping to make only his second-ever appearance for his country. Despite a bright start in London, Tavares, whose only Arsenal goal came against Man United in 2022, found himself out of favour and had loan spells with Marseille, Nottingham Forest and Lazio, with the latter signing him permanently in the summer.
Midfielders:
Joao Palhinha
Age: 30
Club: Spurs (Loan)
Debut: 2021
Caps: 36 (2)
Now a Spurs man, centre midfielder Joao Palhinha is a calming head across the park. Formerly of Fulham, Palhinha made his debut back in 2021, and featured in the recent qualification ties with Ireland back in 2021.
Bruno Fernandes
Age: 31
Club: Man United
Debut: 2017
Caps: 82 (25)
One of the most recognisable names in the squad, Man United captain Bruno Fernandes is a vital attacking weapon for Portugal. His club form - including a couple of missed penalties - might not be at its peak right now, but Ireland will ned to be on red alert to his threat.
Bernardo Silva
Age: 31
Club: Man City
Debut: 2015
Caps: 103 (14)
One of the best midfielders in the world for the best part of a decade, Bernardo Silva is a man who needs little introduction. With over a century of caps for his country and over 250 appearances for Man City, Silva is experienced and in form having scored in the win over Hungary.
Pedro Goncalves
Age: 27
Club: Sporting Lisbon
Debut: 2021
Caps: 4
Pedro Goncalves made his Portugal debut back in 2021, prior to the delayed Euro 2020 tournament. He recently featured off the bench in the win over Armenia.
Ruben Neves
Age: 28
Club: Al-Hilal
Debut: 2015
Caps: 60
Now based with Saudi club Al-Hilal, Ruben Neves remains an important star for his country. The midfielder started in the win over Hungary last time, playing the full 90 minutes.
Vitinha
Age: 25
Club: PSG
Debut: 2022
Caps: 31
The latest PSG star in the squad, Vitinha is a quality footballer who can dictate games from the middle of the park.
Matheus Nunes
Age: 27
Club: Man City
Debut: 2021
Caps: 16 (2)
Another City midfielder, Matteus Nunes has been a mainstay in Portugal’s squads since his debut back in 2021. Nunes also featured at the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Euros.
Strikers:
Cristiano Ronaldo
Age: 40
Club: Al-Nassr
Debut: 2003
Caps: 223 (141)
One of the all-time greats, it was Ronaldo who broke Irish hearts in Faro back in 2021 and scored twice in last year’s friendly. At 40, and playing in Saudi Arabia, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid star is keen for one last hurrah with his national side at next year’s World Cup.
Goncalo Ramos
Age: 23
Club: PSG
Debut: 2022
Caps: 18 (9)
Another Champions League winner last season with PSG, Goncalo Ramos has been prolific when called upon for Portugal. Nine goals in his first 15 games for his country, including a goal on debut, means Ronaldo’s replacement is in situ when the time comes.
Joao Felix
Age: 25
Club: Al-Nassr
Debut: 2019
Caps: 47 (11)
A career of promise and intrigue now sees Joao Felix in Saudia Arabia alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. His moves to Barca and Chelsea failed to reap reward. His focus is now on Portugal as he looks to lead them to World Cup glory at USA 2026.
Francisco Trincao
Age: 25
Club: Sporting Lisbon
Debut: 2020
Caps: 13 (2)
Another former Wolves man, Francisco Trincao is an electric winger with bags of talent if called upon. Has only featured once so far in qualifying, but was relied upon during their Nations League success.
Francisco Conceicao
Age: 22
Club: Juventus
Debut: 2024
Caps: 11 (2)
A scorer in the Nations League final, Juve’s Francisco Conceicao is another attacking threat.The son of former AC Milan manager Sergio Conceicao, this youngster has fast become another weapon for Martinez’ side.
Pedro Neto
Age: 25
Club: Chelsea
Debut: 2020
Caps: 19 (2)
A well-known Premier League attacker, Pedro Neto has shown his worth more of late for his country. The Chelsea winger started both qualifier victories so far and his coming off his most prolific season yet.
Rafael Leao
Age: 26
Club: AC Milan
Debut: 2021
Caps: 40 (5)
Milan star Rafael Leao is another electric attacking option in a team full of stars, though is yet to feature in qualifying, after recovering from injury.
Watch Portugal v Republic of Ireland in World Cup qualifying on Saturday from 7pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live radio commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
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