The Portuguese soccer coach, Fernando Santos, announces this Thursday the 26 players chosen for the final phase of the 2022 World Cup, in a list that should have few surprises, but that already has certain important absences.
Starting at 5:30 p.m., at the Cidade do Futebol, in Oeiras, the coach will announce the names that will wear the Portuguese colors in Qatar, precisely two weeks before the debut in Group H, scheduled for November 24, with Ghana.
Outside this batch will be Diogo Jota, who would be a potential starter, and Pedro Neto, both injured, but also Rafa, who resigned from the national team two months ago, although recently Fernando Santos has been open to ‘receiving’ the Benfica player. again. .
The final 26 options will come from a list of 55 shortlisted that was published in the Portuguese media and was never denied by the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), with some elements that seem to have the right ‘ticket’ for an atypical World Cup, for, for the first time in history, played in the middle of a European season.
Diogo Costa and Rui Patrício are untouchable among the goalkeepers, while Diogo Dalot, João Cancelo, Nuno Mendes, Raphaël Guerreiro, Rúben Dias, Pepe and Danilo should form part of the defense, which is expected to be joined by debutant António Silva (19 years old), from Benfica.
Among the midfielders, Santos will choose between William Carvalho, Rúben Neves, Palhinha, João Mário, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Renato Sanches, Matheus Nunes, João Moutinho and Otávio, while, in attack, Cristiano Ronaldo, Rafael Leão and João Félix will already have ‘seats’ reserved on the plane to Qatar, which will also have to be followed by Gonçalo Ramos, Gonçalo Guedes and Ricardo Horta.
The final list of 26 players should be sent to FIFA on Monday, precisely when Portugal begins preparations for the 2022 World Cup, which includes a warm-up match against José Peseiro’s Nigeria on November 17 at the Estádio José Alvalade, in Lisbon.
The Portuguese delegation will travel to Qatar the following day, on November 18, with their Group H debut scheduled for November 24, against Ghana, before facing Uruguay on the 28th and Paulo Bento’s South Korea , on December 2.
Source: TSF
