Portugal

Portugal, the Seleção das Quinas, blend technical brilliance and attacking flair, having produced two of the greatest players ever in Eusébio and Cristiano Ronaldo. European champions in 2016, the Portuguese are a perennial powerhouse backed by a golden generation of talent.

Portugal's best World Cup runs came in 1966, when Eusébio's nine goals fired them to third place on their debut, and in 2006, when a star-studded side reached the semifinals and finished fourth. Despite the brilliance of Cristiano Ronaldo across five tournaments, and a golden generation around him, Portugal have not surpassed those results, often falling in the knockout rounds. With a deep, talented squad, the Seleção remain among the favorites heading into 2026.