The two nations have matched up twice already through the 2022 calendar year in UEFA Nations League play, with each side winning their one home fixture.
Ronaldo, at 37 years old, is almost certainly playing in his final World Cup. He became the first male player ever to score in five World Cup tournaments with his goal against Ghana in the group stage, but still has yet to score a goal in the knockout round.
If he does that, he will do so as a replacement after head coach Fernando Santos dropped a huge selection bombshell.
MORE: How to watch Portugal vs. Switzerland in World Cup action across the globe
Portugal vs Switzerland lineups
There’s been much talk about Ronaldo and his standing with the Portugal squad of late. The former Manchester United striker has reportedly signed for Saudi Arabia club Al-Nassr for eye-watering money, but some feel that he should be dropped from the Portugal starting lineup.
Santos addressed reports of discontent between the two in his pre-match press conference after Ronaldo reacted angrily to being substituted against South Korea.
“Let me split my answer into two,” Santos said. “The first is when I went to the press conference, as you know, when the match had ended. I had a flash interview, and then obviously I went straight to the press conference and what I said l repeat it here again. There on the field, nothing happened, nothing. So I just heard him discussing with the players of Korea, I didn’t hear anything else.
“Now the second part of your question, if I have seen the images? Yes. I didn’t like it. Not at all. I did not like it. I really didn’t like it.”
Below are the starting lineups for both teams ahead of their match at Lusail Iconic Stadium on Tuesday, December 6.
Portugal starting 11
(4-3-2-1, right to left): 22. Diogo Costa (GK) — 2. Diogo Dalot, 3. Pepe, 4. Ruben Dias, 5. Raphael Guerriero — 10. Bernardo Silva, 25. Otavio, 14. William Carvalho — 8. Bruno Fernandes, 11. Joao Felix — 25. Goncalo Ramos.
Injured: Nuno Mendes (thigh), Danilo Pereira (broken ribs), Otavio (hamstring) Suspended: None.
Along with benching Ronaldo, Santo has also preferred Raphael Guerriero to Joao Cancelo at left-back, with Diogo Dalot starting on the right of the defence.
But it will be all eyes on Benfica forward and Ronaldo replacement Goncalo Ramos.
Switzerland starting 11
(4-2-3-1, right to left): (4-2-3-1): 1. Sommer (GK) — 2. Fernandes, 22. Schar, 4. Akanji, 13. Rodriguez — 10. Xhaka, 8. Freuler — 23. Shaqiri, 15. Sow, 17. Vargas — 7. Embolo
Injured: None. Suspended: None.
There are no injury concerns for Switzerland, who are expected to have Noah Okafor back from his thigh injury. Goalkeeper Yann Sommer returned from his ankle injury just in time for the tournament, and has been one of the best goalkeepers at the World Cup. He missed the last match against Serbia due to illness but is back to replace Gregor Kobel.
Switzerland have a host of players in danger of a yellow card suspension if they advance, with Manuel Akanji, Nico Eveldi, Fabian Schar, Granit Xhaka, Silvan Widmer, Ruben Vargas, and Fabian Reider all having been booked once this tournament.
Portugal vs Switzerland World Cup squads
Here are the 26 names on the current Portugal and Switzerland World Cup squads in Qatar:
*Caps as of start of Qatar tournament
