Full 2026 World Cup qualifying squads

Cristiano Ronaldo is likely to seal a place in his final World Cup if Portugal win in Dublin on Thursday.

The Seleçao captain, 40, confirmed this week that the 2026 finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico would be his last international tournament.

With Hungary winning in Armenia in an earlier match, Portugal should start two points ahead of Marco Rossi’s side with a game in hand, while Ireland need a pint to be assured of a play-off place.

101GreatGoals.com has all the news from the Republic of Ireland team against Portugal in the 2026 World Cup qualifier.

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Republic of Ireland starting line-up against Portugal

Burnley captain Josh Cullen missed Ireland’s 1-0 home win over Armenia on October 14 due to suspension, but the midfielder returns this time.

Jayson Molumby is banned and Mark Sykes, Jason Knight, Will Smallbone, Evan Ferguson and Robbie Brady are injured.

Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher saved a Ronaldo penalty in Ireland’s 1-0 defeat in Portugal on October 11.

Republic of Ireland from the XI: Kevin Kelleher, Seamus Coleman, Nathan Collins, Dara O’Shea, Jake O’Brien, Liam Scales, Finn Azaz, Jack Taylor, Josh Cullen, Chiedozie Ogbene, Troy Parrott

Ireland replaces: Gavin Bazunu, Johnny Kenny, Adam Idah, Jimmy Dunne, Kevin O’Toole, Andrew Moran, John Egan, Conor Coventry, Jamie McGrath, Mikey Johnston, Festy Ebosele, Mark Travers

Portugal starting XI against Ireland

Chelsea’s Pedro Neto and Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Goncalves have withdrawn from the Portugal squad, but Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Joao Neves returns from injury.

Portugal holds eleven: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Goncalo Inacio, Diogo Dalot, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Ruben Neves, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Felix

Portugal replaces: Rui Silva, Nelson Semedo, Antonio Silva, Joao Palhinha, Carlos Forbs, Goncalo Ramos, Joao Carvalho, Renato Veiga, Trincao, Rafael Leao, Matheus Nunes, Francisco Conceicao

How to watch Republic of Ireland v Portugal: TV and online streams

Ireland v Portugal kicks off on Thursday at 7:45 p.m. GMT (2:45 p.m. ET / 11:45 a.m. PT) and can be watched on Premier Sports 1 and streamed on the Premier Sports Player app.

A Premier Sports subscription costs £120 per year, £11.99 per month on a 12-month contract or £16.99 per month with 30 days’ notice of cancellation required.

Ireland vs Portugal Statistics

• Ronaldo’s double against Hungary in October allowed him to become the all-time leading scorer in World Cup qualifying (41) and extend his international goals record to 143 in 235 matches.
• Portugal has qualified for the last six World Cups
• Portugal have won four and drawn one of their last five meetings against the Republic of Ireland.
• The Republic of Ireland have not qualified for the World Cup finals since 2006.

Portugal’s qualification journey for the 2026 World Cup

The best team from each of the 12 European qualifying groups automatically advances to the final, which will be expanded to 48 teams.

The 12 finalists from each group will join four Nations League teams in the play-offs, which will be drawn based on the teams’ records during the campaign. Matches will consist of single semi-finals and finals.

The draw for the World Cup final will take place in December 2025. The tournament will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.