IN THE SERIES of FIFA World Cup 2018, we glance over team Portugal to see how they fared in the qualification leading to the World Cup. Also learn about how the team is preparing prior to beginning their campaign.
History and Stats
Euro 2016 Champions, Portugal will play in their seventh World Cup in 2018. Their best finish has been a third place position in their very first appearance at the World Cup in 1966
Coach
Fernando Santos is in his third year with the national team. The 63 year old, previously he has managed the national team of Greece after managing prominents clubs in Portugal and Greece.
Qualification
Placed in Group B, Portugal competed with Switzerland, Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia and Andorra.
Portugal avoided the playoffs by finishing in the first position in the group on head-to-head record with Switzerland.
Preparation
In the lead up to the World Cup, Portugal have played couple of friendly matches with Egypt and Netherlands. Another set of friendlies lined up for Euro champions will be played in this month and a week prior to the World Cup against Tunisia and Algeria respectively.
Group
Portugal will have to battle the current World champions Spain along with Morocco and IR Iran in Group B.
Squad
Below is the 35-man preliminary squad and the clubs they currently play for
Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Olympique Lyonnais/France), Beto (Goztepe SK/Turkey), Rui Patricio (Sporting CP)
Defenders: Antunes (Getafe/Spain), Bruno Alves (Rangers/Scotland), Cedric (Southampton/England), Joao Cancelo (Internazionale/Italy), Jose Fonte (Dalian Aerbin/China PR), Luis Neto (Fenerbahce/Turkey), Mario Rui (Napoli/Italy), Nelson Semedo (Barcelona/Spain), Pepe (Besiktas/Turkey), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund/Germany), Ricardo (Porto), Rolando (Marseille/France), Ruben Dias (Benfica)
Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Leicester City/England), Andre Gomes (Barcelona/Spain), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/England), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting CP), Joao Mario (West Ham United/England), Joao Moutinho (Monaco/France), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv Moscow/Russia), Rony Lopes (Monaco), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers/England), Sergio Oliveira (Porto), William (Sporting CP)
Forwards: Andre Silva (AC Milan/Italy), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid/Spain), Eder (Lokomotiv Moscow/Russia), Gelson Martins (Sporting CP), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia/Spain), Nani (Lazio/Italy), Paulinho (Braga), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas/Turkey)
Final squad of 23 is to be announced by all teams on or before June 4, 2018