Is Cristiano Ronaldo taking part in? That’s the query on everybody’s lips forward of Portugal’s 2026 World Cup qualifier in opposition to Hungary on the Puskas Area in Budapest. Roberto Martinez’s facet arrives with momentum, whereas Marco Rossi’s Hungary seeks redemption after a irritating opening fixture. The night guarantees drama, historical past, and a contact of suspense.
Portugal kicked off Group F in ruthless style, dismantling Armenia 5-0 in Yerevan. Each single objective got here from their Saudi Professional League-based stars, with Joao Cancelo, Joao Felix, and Cristiano Ronaldo sharing the spoils. Martinez has remodeled the facet right into a fluid, attack-minded facet, adopting an ultra-aggressive 4-3-3 system that overwhelmed Armenia. His workforce is anticipated to be among the many favourites in 2026, particularly after successful the UEFA Nations League once more in June.
In the meantime, Hungary’s qualifying marketing campaign started in dramatic style. Inside quarter-hour in Dublin, Barnabas Varga and Roland Sallai had shocked Eire with a two-goal cushion. However momentum slipped away. Sallai’s sending off early within the second half proved expensive, and Eire fought again to grab a 2-2 attract stoppage time.
The setback was a blow for Marco Rossi, who has managed Hungary since 2018. Already beneath stress following a 6-1 mixture defeat to Turkey within the Nations League, Rossi is aware of that matches like this one might outline Hungary’s path.
The massive query: Is Cristiano Ronaldo taking part in?
The reply is sure—Cristiano Ronaldo will as soon as once more lead the road for Portugal. The 40-year-old ahead is in record-breaking type, having scored in 4 consecutive internationals for the primary time since 2021. His brace in opposition to Armenia pushed him to 140 worldwide objectives, and remarkably, six of these have come in opposition to Hungary.
Portugal’s predicted lineup
Martinez is unlikely to deviate a lot from the facet that dismantled Armenia. Bruno Fernandes is anticipated to return so as to add creativity, whereas Joao Felix, after his brace, will preserve his place on the left. Bernardo Silva might additionally characteristic from the beginning, giving the Selecao some of the harmful midfields in Europe.
Portugal predicted XI (4-3-3): Costa; Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Inacio, Mendes; Vitinha, Joao Neves, Fernandes; Bernardo Silva, Felix, Ronaldo.
Hungary’s predicted lineup
With Sallai suspended, Rossi should reshuffle his facet. Dominik Szoboszlai, Hungary’s midfield star and Liverpool captain, will shoulder much more accountability, each in creativity and management. Barnabas Varga, in glorious type domestically, is about to spearhead the assault.
Hungary predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Dibusz; Nego, Orban, Szalai, Kerkez; Schäfer, Kinds; Bolla, Szoboszlai, Toth; Varga.
