Portugal's national team is set to participate in the 2026 World Cup, marking its seventh consecutive appearance in the tournament. Cristiano Ronaldo is preparing to lead Portugal in the World Cup, which will be held in the USA, Canada, and Mexico during June and July 2026. This will be his sixth appearance in a World Cup. Football circles and social media have been abuzz with controversy after the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) published the official promotional poster for the 2026 World Cup without featuring Portuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo. The poster included images of other football stars such as Lionel Messi, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Erling Haaland, and Kylian Mbappé. Many fans considered FIFA's move to reflect an 'unjustifiable neglect' of one of modern football's greatest legends. The debate between Ronaldo and Messi supporters did not subside even after FIFA re-posted the poster, this time including 'The Don'. Many believe Ronaldo deserves greater recognition, even if the FIFA organizers have a different perspective. It is noteworthy that FIFA placed Bruno Fernandes, a Manchester United player, on the poster as the representative of Portugal instead of Cristiano Ronaldo, which surprised many football enthusiasts and fans of 'The Don'.
