Cristiano Ronaldo is playing at the FIFA World Cup 2026, and Portugal have already reached the Round of 32. He captained the side through all three Group K matches and is now Portugal’s outright all-time top World Cup scorer.
Ronaldo has said this will be his sixth and final World Cup, so this tournament is the last chance to watch him on football’s biggest stage. This guide covers his group-stage form, Portugal’s knockout tie against Croatia, and how to get there.
Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. Ronaldo captained Portugal through all three Group K games and scored twice, and the side finished second to advance to the Round of 32. At 41, the Al Nassr forward is at a record sixth World Cup.
He arrives with 145 goals for Portugal, the all-time record in men’s international football. He also holds the record for most caps in the men’s game.
- Record sixth World Cup: No male player has been named in more, per Olympics.com.
- Age 41: He turned 41 in February 2026.
- Captain: He led Portugal through the group stage and into the knockouts.
- 145 international goals: The all-time men’s record, and still climbing.
- Portugal’s all-time World Cup top scorer: His brace against Uzbekistan took him past Eusébio, to 10 World Cup goals across six tournaments.
- His own words: Ronaldo has confirmed this is his final World Cup.
How did Ronaldo and Portugal do in the group stage?
Portugal finished second in Group K and advanced to the Round of 32, going unbeaten but winning only once across three matches. Colombia won the group outright.
| Fixture | Date & venue | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal 1-1 DR Congo | Wed 17 Jun — Houston (NRG Stadium) | Draw; Ronaldo missed two chances |
| Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan | Tue 23 Jun — Houston (NRG Stadium) | Win; Ronaldo scored twice (6′, 39′) |
| Colombia 0-0 Portugal | Sat 27 Jun — Miami (Hard Rock Stadium) | Draw; Colombia won the group |
In the Uzbekistan rout, Ronaldo’s brace made him the first player to score at six different World Cups. DR Congo also advanced, reaching the knockout stage for the first time in their history as one of the eight best third-placed teams, per the official FIFA fixtures page.
When and where does Ronaldo play next?
Portugal face Croatia in the Round of 32 today, Thursday 2 July, at BMO Field in Toronto. Kick-off is scheduled for around 7:00 PM ET.
Check the official FIFA fixtures page for the confirmed result once the match finishes, and see our Portugal at the 2026 World Cup schedule guide for the rest of the knockout path.
Going to see Ronaldo in person
To catch Ronaldo live, the next stop is Toronto for the Croatia tie. If Portugal advance, later knockout rounds move to other host cities across the US, Canada and Mexico.
- Toronto: BMO Field — Round of 32 vs Croatia, 2 July. Search flights to Toronto.
- Houston: NRG Stadium — hosted both group games against DR Congo and Uzbekistan.
- Miami: Hard Rock Stadium — hosted the Colombia decider.
From the Gulf, Emirates and Qatar Airways both connect to Toronto with one stop. Compare hotels in Toronto before prices rise.
If Portugal advance past the Round of 32, their next tie falls in early-to-mid July, so factor that leg into your plans now. Use the Wego flight tracker to follow any schedule changes before you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cristiano Ronaldo playing at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes. He captained Portugal through all three Group K games, scored twice against Uzbekistan, and helped the side reach the Round of 32 at his record sixth World Cup.
When is Ronaldo’s next match?
Portugal play Croatia in the Round of 32 on Thursday 2 July in Toronto. Check the FIFA fixtures page for the final score once the match concludes.
How did Portugal do in the group stage?
Portugal finished second in Group K with a draw, a win and a draw. They drew 1-1 with DR Congo, beat Uzbekistan 5-0 (Ronaldo brace), then drew 0-0 with Colombia, who topped the group.
How old is Ronaldo at the 2026 World Cup, and how many goals does he have?
He is 41 and has 145 international goals. Born on 5 February 1985, he has said this will be his sixth and final World Cup.
Where can I see Portugal’s full schedule?
Our Portugal at the 2026 World Cup guide has every fixture. It lists all kick-offs in your local time and the knockout path — read it here.
Sources
- FIFA — Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan, match centre
- ESPN — Portugal 5-0 Uzbekistan: Ronaldo brace makes history
- ESPN — Colombia 0-0 Portugal match report
- Yahoo Sports — Colombia wins Group K as Portugal and DR Congo also advance
- 2026 FIFA World Cup Group K — fixtures, venues, results and standings
- ESPN — Portugal vs Croatia, Round of 32
- The Daily Star — Ronaldo’s Portugal held by Colombia, to face Croatia in Round of 32
- FIFA — Cristiano Ronaldo becomes Portugal’s all-time World Cup top scorer
- Wikipedia — List of international goals scored by Cristiano Ronaldo
- Al Jazeera — Ronaldo says World Cup 2026 will be his last before retirement
- Olympics.com — Cristiano Ronaldo at the 2026 World Cup: stats and records
- CNN — Diogo Jota: what we know about the death of the Liverpool star
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