João Cancelo has expressed strong confidence in Portugal national team’s chances ahead of the 2026 World Cup, naming them among the tournament favourites, Softfootball reports.
According to Romano’s update via his official X handle, the full-back, now back at Barcelona on loan from Al Hilal, highlighted the squad’s quality and depth, emphasizing the importance of Cristiano Ronaldo, even at 41 and despite his recent hamstring injury.
Romano shared:
João Cancelo: “We should be among top favorites to win the World Cup 2026 with quality of players we have”. “Cristiano Ronaldo as well? Of course, yes”, told @TntSportsMex.
Cancelo’s optimism reflects Portugal’s strong pedigree, having won Euro 2016 and reached the semifinals of the 2022 World Cup. The current squad continues to evolve, blending experience with emerging talent, while maintaining defensive solidity, conceding just four goals during the 2026 qualifiers so far. His versatility adds further strength to a well-balanced backline.
The remarks have sparked widespread discussion, with fans praising team unity and Ronaldo’s enduring influence, while analysts question whether age could become a limiting factor. Betting odds still place Portugal slightly behind favourites like Brazil and France, though belief within the camp remains high.
In other news, reactions followed Ghana’s 5–1 defeat to Austria in a recent friendly, with Nigerian content creator D Real Kombo advising Ghanaian fans against traveling for the World Cup, adding further debate around African teams’ preparedness for the tournament.
