World Cup: I don’t have substitutes in my squad – Portugal coach, Martinez

Portugal head coach, Roberto Martinez, has expressed confidence that all 26 members of his squad possess the necessary quality and fitness to perform effectively when needed at the 2026 tournament.

The Selecao das Quinas boasts an abundance of talent throughout the team. They are widely regarded as one of the strongest teams on paper and are considered among the frontrunners to claim the prestigious title.

Portugal’s journey began on an uncertain note, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by DR Congo. Nevertheless, they made a remarkable comeback, decisively defeating tournament newcomers Uzbekistan 5-0, thanks to a brace from their star forward and captain, Cristiano Ronaldo.

In a press conference prior to his team’s final group stage match against Colombia, Martinez emphasized that every player in his squad is prepared to make a contribution.

The Spanish coach stated (as reported by O Jogo, translated from Portuguese), “Our goal is to ensure that everyone is ready. We have reached a stage where we can make three substitutions at half-time while maintaining the same tactical and technical quality.

“Those on the bench are also prepared to make an impact. The word substitute does not exist in our team. All 26 players are ready for training, which is crucial; we must fine-tune our tactical approach.”

A victory against Colombia on June 28 would guarantee Portugal the top position in Group K of the 2026 tournament.

Martinez will be looking for another outstanding performance from captain Ronaldo, who is the only player to have scored in six different editions of the tournament.