Jorge Jesus Begins Portugal Era as Cristiano Ronaldo Makes Nations League Squad

A new era for Portugal begins with a familiar face at the heart of it. New head coach Jorge Jesus has named his first Portugal squad, and Cristiano Ronaldo remains part of the plans at 41 as the European champions begin their 2026-27 UEFA Nations League campaign.

Jesus has selected a 25-man squad for Portugal’s opening four Nations League matches, retaining most of the players who featured at the 2026 FIFA World Cup while introducing four new names.

Cristiano Ronaldo Stays in the Portugal Squad

The biggest talking point from the Jorge Jesus Portugal squad was always going to be Ronaldo. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner remains Portugal captain and has been included despite confirming that the 2026 World Cup was his final appearance at the tournament.

Jesus, however, made it clear that Ronaldo’s reputation will not guarantee him a place in the starting XI. The new Portugal boss said selection would be based on performance, while acknowledging that Ronaldo has a different status because of his extraordinary career.

For Ronaldo, the Nations League therefore represents another chapter in an international career that has already produced a record 146 goals for Portugal. His inclusion also keeps the door open for the veteran forward to continue contributing to the national team after the end of his World Cup journey.

Four New Faces Join Jesus' First Squad

Jesus has largely kept faith with the group that represented Portugal at the World Cup, but there are four additions to his first Portugal Nations League squad: goalkeeper Samuel Soares, defender Nuno Tavares, midfielder João Palhinha and forward Fábio Silva.

Three of those players have previously worked with Jesus. The coach has managed Palhinha, Tavares and Soares during his club career, while Fábio Silva brings a different attacking profile to the squad.

The changes also mean José Sá, Nélson Semedo, Matheus Nunes, Samu Costa and Gonçalo Guedes are among the players who were part of the World Cup group but have not been selected this time.

Jorge Jesus Keeps Portugal's Core Together

Despite the changes, there is plenty of continuity in the Jorge Jesus first Portugal squad. Diogo Costa, João Cancelo, Nuno Mendes, Rúben Dias and Gonçalo Inácio remain defensive options, while Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, João Neves, Rúben Neves and Bernardo Silva provide a strong midfield core.

Portugal’s attacking group features Ronaldo alongside Fábio Silva, Francisco Trincão, Francisco Conceição, Gonçalo Ramos, João Félix, Pedro Neto and Rafael Leão. The squad gives Jesus a mixture of experience and younger options as he begins his first international assignment.

Portugal's Nations League Schedule

Jesus will make his competitive debut with Portugal on September 24, when Portugal host Wales at Estádio José Alvalade. The team then travels to Norway on September 27 before facing Denmark away on October 1. Portugal will complete this opening sequence against Norway at home on October 4.

Portugal enter the Nations League 2026 campaign as defending champions, giving Jesus an immediate opportunity to establish his approach while trying to maintain the team's position among Europe's leading international sides.

A New Era With Ronaldo Still in the Picture

Jesus' appointment followed Roberto Martínez's departure after Portugal's World Cup exit, and his first squad suggests that the new coach is opting for evolution rather than an immediate overhaul. Most of Portugal's established core remains, while four new players have been brought into the group.

For supporters, however, the headline remains unmistakable: Cristiano Ronaldo is still part of Portugal's plans. How Jesus manages the 41-year-old captain, alongside a generation of established stars and emerging players, will be one of the defining storylines of this new Portugal era. The first answers will come quickly, with four Nations League fixtures packed into less than two weeks.