Portugal’s 2026 World Cup qualifying begins in Yerevan on Saturday evening, as they take on Armenia for the first time since 2015.
A poignant occasion is expected in the Armenian capital this weekend, as Portugal take to the field for the first time since Diogo Jota’s tragic passing.
The former Liverpool forward was involved in their previous outing back in June, when they were crowned 2024–25 UEFA Nations League champions by virtue of a penalty shootout victory over Spain.
Their ventures in that competition mean the start of qualifying for next year’s World Cup has been pushed back, with Portugal part of a four-nation group that contains Hungary and the Republic of Ireland, as well as Saturday’s opponents.
Armenia are the 105th-ranked nation in the world, per FIFA’s rankings, and have never qualified for a major international tournament since gaining independence in 1991.
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