- Portugal 's star-studded national football team, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, made their World Cup 2026 debut Wednesday and they are widely considered one of the favourites to win their first-ever trophy.
- But it was an emotional start to the tournament as the team honoured the late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota , a regular in the national squad who died in a car crash alongside his brother in Spain last July.
- Jota has been posthumously included as an honorary team member by coach Roberto Martínez, and each player received a wristband from Portugal’s Prime Minister.
- "We have received this with a lot of love," Midfielder Vitinha said, gesturing to the green and red band on his wrist that players were set to wear in the game against Congo on 17 June in Houston.
- Each wristband includes the names of every member of the current World Cup party, and Jota's.
IN FULL
Portugal to carry Diogo Jota’s memory into World Cup as they embrace tournament pressure
