World Cup 2022 - What Portugal's 26-man squad could look like
With Fernando Santos set to announce his latest selection for the upcoming winter World Cup in Qatar, speculation as to who will make the cut is rife, with many differing opinions as to who is most deserving of a famous call-up.
Plenty of players are virtual guarantees - we’re looking at you Ronaldo - but other berths in the expanded 26-man squad remain up for grabs. Here, we give our prediction as to who will make Santos’ final shortlist.
Goalkeepers
Diogo Costa, Rui Patricio, Jose Sa
Porto shot-stopper Diogo Costa has arguably been the revelation of the last year or so; he has impressed significantly for the Portuguese outfit, and has worked his way into the starting lineup of the Portugal national team, unseating the long-serving Rui Patricio. The veteran Roma keeper will still be in the squad, but may well spend more time watching from the sidelines than he is accustomed to.
The third goalkeeper is less certain; Jose Sa, Anthony Lopes and Rui Silva are among the top-class number one options at the disposal of Fernando Santos that are vying for that honour - but Wolves’ Sa is perhaps the most likely to take it.
Defenders
Ruben Dias, Pepe, Danilo Pereira, Antonio Silva, Joao Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Raphael Guerreiro, Nuno Mendes
Much of the defence also seems fairly straightforward to predict. Manchester City duo Ruben Dias and Joao Cancelo already know they will have a seat reserved on the plane, while the experienced Pepe only faces a race against the clock in his attempts to get back to full fitness in order to accept his guaranteed call-up.
Danilo Pereira will also be in the squad - whether he’s considered a centreback or midfielder by Santos is the only real question mark when it comes to the PSG man. The other centreback to be included is really tough to predict - but teenage star Antonio Silva is perhaps set to be involved in what would have been seen as an entirely impossible call-up only a matter of months ago.
On the left flank, there is really no debate - Guerreiro and Nuno Mendes will be the chosen ones. Who is seen as the starter is still not guaranteed though. Cancelo’s backup on the opposite flank is expected to be Diogo Dalot, who is finally showing some consistent form for Manchester United.
Midfielders
Ruben Neves, Joao Palhinha, William Carvalho, Matheus Nunes, Renato Sanches, Vitinha, Joao Mario, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva.
In midfield, it’s likely that only one or two players are up for debate. The likes of Neves, Palhinha, William Carvalho, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva are seen as certainties, and PSG duo Renato Sanches and Vitinha, alongside the revitalised Joao Mario, are seen as just as likely in the eyes of many. Perhaps Matheus Nunes, after a lacklustre season so far for Wolves, is the real question mark.
Other possibilities are Florentino Luis - who would be incredibly unfortunate to miss out after a consistent season for the unstoppable SL Benfica and Nunes’ teammate Joao Moutinho.
Forwards
Joao Felix, Otavio, Rafael Leao, Ricardo Horta, Cristiano Ronaldo, Andre Silva.
Perhaps the most difficult area of the field to call. Alongside the guarantees in Cristiano Ronaldo and Rafael Leao, it’s not clear cut as to who Santos will select. Joao Felix seems very likely, even if he has been slightly out of favour at Atletico Madrid, while the versatile Otavio has already left an impression when representing Portugal and is another likely inclusion.
With regards to the final two spots, it’s much less obvious. Ricardo Horta could easily be replaced - or joined - by the likes of Pedro Goncalves, Trincao, Daniel Podence or Goncalo Guedes. And let’s not forget Goncalo Ramos, who has been excellent so often for Benfica this campaign. But Andre Silva, for his experience and partnership with Ronaldo, is seen as the more likely choice.
What do you think of the squad? Which players do you disagree with, and who has been overlooked?
