In a 2022 Group H with wily Uruguay, relentless South Korea, and unpredictable Ghana, the group can just as well see Portugal finish top, as much as getting ousted early. The Portuguese are undoubtedly the class of the group, but that’s no guarantee for success when facing three talented opponents who are prepared to scrap.
Then if Ronaldo & Co. manage to get out of the group, they’ll want to make sure it’s as the first-place team because otherwise they’d find No. 1-ranked Brazil waiting in the Round of 16.
However, should Portugal top Group H, it’d be one of Switzerland, Cameroon or Serbia in the Round of 16 and then Germany or Spain in the quarterfinals. There are several European teams they’re familiar with in that bunch.
Ronaldo has never won the big one. For him to take this World Cup, he’ll need a strong, in-form cast around him: from winger Rafael Leao, to center back Ruben Dias, prolific Liverpool forward Diogo Jota, and Manchester United magician Bruno Fernandes, who helped Portugal reach the World Cup with two goals in the playoff.
WORLD CUP DRAW BREAKDOWNS:Group A | Group B | Group C | Group DGroup E | Group F | Group G | Group H
Portugal World Cup draw Group H
Portugal opens against Ghana, which is a matchup that will set the tone for its group. Ghana is on paper the weakest team in Group H, and if Portugal don’t win that one, the No. 8 team in the world could have a rough go of it.
They will match up against Uruguay in the second game in a match that promises to be a slugfest. Uruguay love going mano a mano and the Selecao need to be up for the fight.
The last match is a tricky one against South Korea, and the Portuguese will definitely not want to be in a position where they need to chase a result in the group finale. Fernando Santos’s side is more comfortable sitting back and managing a game, waiting for its opportunity to pounce. They will not want to be the aggressors against a South Korean team that has one of the best transition players in the game today in Son Heung-min.
World Cup Group H table & fixtures
Group H match schedule
MORE: How does the World Cup draw work?
Portugal All-Time World Cup Groups
Portugal World Cup snapshot
On the back of finally winning a major title at Euro 2016, Portugal went on to clinch the inaugural UEFA Nations League in 2019, but a round-of-16 exit in Euro 2020 saw them slide out of FIFA’s top-five ranked sides.
Current FIFA World Ranking: No. 8 (March 2022) World Cup titles: 0 World Cup appearances (last): 7 (Russia 2018) How qualified: UEFA playoffs WCQ record W-L-D (Goals Scored/Allowed): 5-2-1 (17/6) Record 2022 W-L-D (Goals Scored/Allowed): 2-0-0 (5/1)
Portugal FIFA World Cup 2022 preview
The team which lifted the Euro 2016 trophy has been largely dismantled by Santos in the following years, as a bright generation of Portuguese talent has emerged.
The more low-key names in the Portugal side which clinched glory have been replaced by huge stars including Diogo Jota and Joao Felix.
However, generating a balance between world-class talent and tournament pragmatism will once again be Santos’ key battle ahead of Qatar later this year, with Portugal still searching for a first taste of World Cup glory, and progression from the group for only the fifth time.
Star players: Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Diogo Jota, Joao Felix, Bernardo Silva, Cristiano Ronaldo Players to watch: Nuno Mendes, Rafael Leao, Fabio Carvalho Players to play in WCQ: 38 Players in Top 5 Euro leagues (% of WCQ pool): 28 (74%)
Portugal Squad
Santos’ main asset is genuine strength in depth in key areas of his squad, with the additions of Dias and Cancelo to the defence allowing for a more front-foot style in midfield and attack.
The new faces in the squad have moved Santos away from a double pivot to a more flexible central three, which allows Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva to seamlessly link with the attack.
Ronaldo’s role through the middle is unquestioned, but the whir of movement around him caused by the high press of Fernandes, Silva and Jota allows Portugal to quickly break through defensive lines on the counter-attack.
Regular starting XI (formation: 4-3-3):
Anthony Lopes (GK) — Nuno Mendes, Ruben Dias, Pepe, Joao Cancelo — Joao Moutinho, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva — Diogo Jota, Cristiano Ronaldo, Otavio.
Strengths:
Cover in most positions across the pitch with a string of midfield options. Midfield runs and goalscoring ability of Bernardo Silva. Diogo Jota’s roaming role which causes major problems for the opposition, creating chances for both himself and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Weaknesses:
Lack of pace in one centre-back slot, with either Pepe or Jose Fonte. A bad habit of missing lots of chances based on the volume created.
Who is Portugal head coach?
Santos was hired as Portugal boss at the start of their Euro 2016 qualification campaign and he pragmatically led them all the way to glory in Paris. He has overseen a shift in style from 2019 onwards, with a more progressive approach moving from a solid defensive unit to a more free-flowing side.
Manager: Fernando Santos (Portugal) Date hired: Sep. 24, 2014 Record as national team manager (W-L-D): 60-15-22 Major titles since hire: UEFA European Championship 2016, UEFA Nations League 2019 Notable victories: 1-0 vs. France, July 10, 2016; 1-0 vs. Netherlands, June 9, 2019
Portugal World Cup qualifying results
Due to being placed in Group A in qualifying, Portugal only played eight competitive games, alongside two friendlies with Qatar.
However - as is so often the case with Portugal in major tournament qualifying - Santos’ side struggled. They took only one point from group winners Serbia, alongside a draw in Dublin against the Republic of Ireland, which undermined their chances of an automatic spot.
