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Ronaldo’s Final Bid for World Cup Glory

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's second goal from the penalty spot during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying match between Hungary and Portugal at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's second goal from the penalty spot during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying match between Hungary and Portugal at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP)
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Ronaldo’s Final Bid for World Cup Glory

Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's second goal from the penalty spot during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying match between Hungary and Portugal at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP)
Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo scores his side's second goal from the penalty spot during a World Cup 2026 group F qualifying match between Hungary and Portugal at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025. (AP)

For some, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the essential spearhead for Portugal's 2026 World Cup bid, while others believe his presence will prevent Roberto Martinez's strong side from flourishing.

The debate around the five-time Ballon d'Or winner rages on, as it did at Euro 2024 and four years ago in Qatar -- yet Ronaldo endures, ready to play in a record sixth World Cup.

The 41-year-old remains a global superstar, playing for Saudi Arabia's Al-Nassr and is the leading men's international goalscorer with 143 strikes.

With 25 of those coming in 30 games under Martinez, the coach insists that Ronaldo is being selected on merit rather than because of his status.

The Spanish coach himself also faced scrutiny after Portugal's Euro 2024 quarter-final exit, with his detractors believing that such a strong squad was capable of winning.

Martinez started Ronaldo in all five games they played but the striker failed to find the net in Germany.

This season, Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes set a new record for Premier League assists, and the Paris Saint-Germain contingent, including Vitinha, Joao Neves and Nuno Mendes, are among the best in their positions in the world.

When he was appointed in 2023, Martinez had the choice of whether to make a clean break from Ronaldo or maintain him as the team's captain and talisman, opting for the latter.

In response to the naysayers, Martinez can point to the team's successful 2025 Nations League triumph as proof that he is right to lean on Ronaldo.

The Portugal icon struck against Spain in the final to win his third international trophy, after Euro 2016 and the 2019 Nations League.

"I have many titles with clubs, but nothing is better than winning for Portugal," said Ronaldo after the game. "It's tears. It's mission accomplished, and pure joy."

The striker is closing in on 1,000 career goals for club and country, currently just 17 short.

Ronaldo is the team's captain and leader, feared by opponents and with international experience gained over more than two decades -- his Portugal debut was in 2003.

Martinez has highlighted the "inspiring mindset" of the veteran forward, who operates now as a center-forward rather than the flying winger of his youth.

Ronaldo's team-mates still believe the striker is delivering for Portugal.

PSG midfielder Vitinha told FIFA that it was "fantastic" to play with the former Real Madrid and Manchester United forward.

"He's one of the greatest players in history," said Vitinha.

"I'm very proud to share the dressing room with him, learn from him and witness his professionalism every day.

"I hope we can win the World Cup with him and for him as well."

- 'Can't worry' about Ronaldo -

In Portugal, where Ronaldo is a revered icon, it is rarely advisable to argue against him.

"Cristiano inside the box continues to be a very high-level player," Fernandes told Canal 11, a television channel run by the Portuguese football federation, in December.

"I know what people think, that it's clear we play better without Ronaldo, that the players are freer and more fluid," Fernandes continued.

"If that happens, it's partly our fault. We can't worry if Cristiano is on the pitch, because Cristiano can give us things."

Portugal's pressing suffers with Ronaldo and the team appears more cohesive without him. When Ronaldo starts, sometimes it seems as if the team works largely to service him.

The forward even came in for rare criticism in his protective homeland after he was sent off against Ireland for an elbow in qualifying, although FIFA let him off the hook by suspending two matches of his ban, meaning he is clear to play from the start of the World Cup.

Portugal begin their campaign in Group K against DR Congo on June 17, before facing Uzbekistan on June 23 and Colombia on June 28.

Martinez said he is not concerned that the intense tournament schedule might impact the 41-year-old.

"In my experience, at a World Cup, a player doesn't follow the pattern of club form, age-related performance or anything like that," said the coach after naming his squad for the tournament in North America.

It is stronger than arguably any Portugal squad to arrive at a World Cup prior and even as the debates around Ronaldo continue, what is inarguable is that they have the quality to succeed this summer.

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Senegal Skipper Koulibaly Owns up to Mistakes Against Norway

Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly , left, and Norway's Erling Haaland vie for the ball during a World Cup Group I match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly , left, and Norway's Erling Haaland vie for the ball during a World Cup Group I match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
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Senegal Skipper Koulibaly Owns up to Mistakes Against Norway

Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly , left, and Norway's Erling Haaland vie for the ball during a World Cup Group I match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)
Senegal's Kalidou Koulibaly , left, and Norway's Erling Haaland vie for the ball during a World Cup Group I match in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Monday, June 22, 2026. (AP)

Senegal ‌captain Kalidou Koulibaly owned up to key mistakes in his side’s World Cup group-stage loss to Norway on Monday that left the African side in danger of early elimination.

Koulibaly’s slips allowed Norway to win 3-2 and book their place in the next round along with France, while Senegal, who before the tournament had been touted as strong outsiders, have yet to pick up any points and must win their match against Iraq in Toronto on Friday if they ‌are to have ‌any chance of being one of ‌the ⁠best third-placed finishers.

"At ⁠the top level, football comes down to the details. The team that makes the fewest mistakes wins. Today, I made a lot of mistakes and that’s a real shame,” Koulibaly told reporters after the game.

“The standard at the World Cup is very high and so there is no room ⁠for error. We made too many mistakes ‌to stand any chance of winning ‌the match.”

Koulibaly misjudged a clearance and goalkeeper Edouard Mendy was ‌unable to keep out substitute Marcus Pedersen's rasping shot to ‌give Norway the lead close to halftime.

The 35-year-old defender, whose place had been questioned after the defeat to France in their opening game in Group I, was also culpable for Erling Haaland’s ‌two goals in the second half.

Despite a litany of defensive errors, Senegal sometimes looked ⁠dangerous on ⁠the counter-attack, with Ismaila Sarr getting two goals back, including one in stoppage time.

“Chasing the game is very difficult. Mentally, the team reacted well though. Despite the setbacks, there was a surge of energy and the players did everything they could to try and secure a draw but we didn't manage it. You have to believe until the very end,” added Koulibaly, who was taken off in the 72nd minute.

"Now we have to believe right to the end. We’re going to play a big match against Iraq and try to win," the skipper said.

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F1 to Have Extra Test Day from 2027, Engine Tweaks Approved

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monaco - June 7, 2026 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli in action during the race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monaco - June 7, 2026 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli in action during the race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki/File Photo
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F1 to Have Extra Test Day from 2027, Engine Tweaks Approved

FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monaco - June 7, 2026 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli in action during the race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Formula One F1 - Monaco Grand Prix - Circuit de Monaco, Monaco - June 7, 2026 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli in action during the race REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki/File Photo

Formula One teams will be allowed an extra day of pre-season testing from next year while agreed engine tweaks have now been formally approved, the sport's governing body said on Tuesday.

The current allocation of three days of testing has been increased to ⁠four due to ⁠the complexity of the cars, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said after its World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) met in Macau.

According to Reuters, it ⁠added that the WMSC had ratified proposed changes "to rebalance the contribution of the Internal Combustion Engine and Energy Recovery System contribution across the 2027 and 2028 seasons.

"Updates include targeted adjustments to internal combustion engine output, fuel energy flow ⁠and ⁠energy recovery system deployment, together with increased flexibility in energy management."

The changes aim to allow more flat-out qualifying and less energy management after widespread driver complaints earlier this season that racing had become more artificial and also more dangerous.

Sports

England, Ghana Eye Last 32 as Portugal Look for Lift-off

England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
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England, Ghana Eye Last 32 as Portugal Look for Lift-off

England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP
England forward Harry Kane prepares for a Group L World Cup clash against Ghana. JUAN MABROMATA / AFP

England will aim to become the latest of the World Cup big guns to book their place in the knockout rounds on Tuesday as Portugal attempt to kickstart their campaign after a lackluster opening draw.

A day after Argentina and France sailed into the last 32, England face Ghana in Group L knowing that victory will see them safely into the next phase of the tournament, said AFP.

England launched their campaign last week with a stylish 4-2 win over Croatia, a result that has given the Three Lions camp fresh belief as they chase a first major championship win in 60 years.

With captain Harry Kane scoring twice and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham netting, England midfielder Declan Rice believes Thomas Tuchel's squad should be a match for any team in the tournament.

Rice said Monday the challenge for England will be reproducing the swashbuckling attacking display that marked their second-half performance against Croatia.

"We know as players the level, we know what's required, and that second-half performance was probably the benchmark for us in terms of having to start the game at that level," Rice said.

"We believe that if we can do that from the opening minute, with the players that we also have to come on and finish the game, we can beat any opponent in the world.

"We want to be confident in our abilities and what we can do on the pitch."

England's German manager Tuchel meanwhile says his team are already embracing the pressure that comes with a World Cup campaign.

"There are emotions involved and you can at some point feel the tension and feel the pressure. I hope we can cope with it, accept it and turn it around," Tuchel said.

"I heard also a lot about it and I feel of course the excitement and the pressure, but I feel that we have so many winners and so many players who are experienced to cope with the pressure."

England though will be wary of the threat posed by Ghana's Antoine Semenyo, the London-born Manchester City winger who is the focal point of the Black Stars attack.

Ghana, 1-0 winners over Panama in their opener last week, can also qualify for the knockout rounds on Tuesday with a victory at Foxborough, just outside Boston.

- Portugal chase response -

Elsewhere, Portugal will attempt to draw a line under a turbulent first week of the tournament when they take on Uzbekistan in Houston.

Portugal arrived at the World Cup as one of the tournament favorites, boasting a team studded with flair players and spearheaded by veteran Cristiano Ronaldo in attack.

But Ronaldo's leaden performance in a faltering 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo renewed debate about the captain's place in the starting line-up.

Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has continued to offer staunch support of his 41-year-old captain, despite his failure to score in his last 10 matches at major tournaments.

"He's a good example for us, for all of us," Martinez said of Ronaldo.

"So he really wants to keep on improving, to contribute to the team, and he's really a role model for our team."

Martinez though stopped short of confirming Ronaldo will start against Uzbekistan when asked by reporters on Monday, saying he had not informed his players of the lineup.

Martinez said the disappointment Portugal felt after drawing with the DRC will be motivation against Uzbekistan, who are playing at a World Cup for the first time and will be heavy underdogs.

"The feeling of frustration that we all had as a team, the feeling of disappointment after the game, probably that's the best starting point to prepare for the next game," said the Spaniard.