Portugal v Wales: Preview, line-ups, stats and where to watch Cristiano Ronaldo

UEFA Nations League, League A – 1

Portugal POR

24/09/2026 19:45

Wales WAL

Donatas Rumsas

Portugal v Wales Nations League preview

When Jorge Jesus takes charge of Portugal for the first time, one of the tactical choices the Portuguese press believe the 72-year-old could face is how to fit Benfica midfielder Joao Palhinha and Al-Nassr forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix into his system.

“It’s possible that some could fit into different positions than those they play at their clubs,” Jesus told Sport TV (via Record) before his debut as an international manager.

“We had two training sessions, including one indoor session… we have to believe in their intelligence and what they are capable of doing.

“It’s the highest point of my career. From an emotional point of view, dreaming of being world champion is the highest point one can reach. I’m a proud Portuguese, so it’s special.”

Cardiff City are in the relegation zone in England’s second tier but Bluebirds midfielder Joel Colwill could encounter a three-time Premier League champion, with Jesus confirming that Ronaldo will start in the 41-year-old’s 15th qualifying campaign for the hosts.

“If I was on the pitch next to someone like Ronaldo, you kind of think ‘this is a bit crazy’,” 21-year-old Colwill told BBC Sport, assessing the timeless debate about whether the former Manchester United former or generational rival Lionel Messi is better.

“Being next to one of the best players of all time would be a pretty surreal moment, if it happens. Fingers crossed it does. Ronaldo is one of the best scorers of all time but Messi is one of the best in terms of playmaking.

“They both have their different ways to impress. It’s so hard to choose [between them]. They both had moments in history when they were the best, and then it switches to the other one.

“It’s a 50-50 toss-up. I couldn’t even give you an answer.”

Portugal v Wales Nations League team news

Benfica goalkeeper Samuel Soares is Portugal’s sole potential debutant, with Borussia Dortmund forward Fabio Silva – in for Goncalo Guedes – hoping for a second senior international appearance.

Soares has replaced Jose Sa, while Lazio left-back Nuno Tavares returns but Matheus Nunes and Nelson Semedo are left out, as is Samuel Costa.

Goalkeeper Karl Darlow, defenders Joe Rodon and Dylan Lawlor, midfielder Rubin Colwill and forwards Nathan Broadhead, Harry Wilson and Isaak Davies are injured for Wales.

Leicester City goalkeeper David Cornell and Huddersfield Town forward Joe Taylor could win their first caps after being called up as replacements alongside Reading midfielder Charlie Savage, who is the son of flamboyant former Wales international Robbie Savage.

Midfielder Jordan James, who is on loan to Wolves from Rennes, returns as part of a squad featuring newcomer Cian Ashford, a 21-year-old Cardiff forward.

Portugal v Wales predicted Nations League line ups

Portugal: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Pedro Neto, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo

Wales: Danny Ward, Neco Williams, Ben Cabango, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Jay Dasilva, Ethan Ampadu, Jordan James, David Brooks, Sorba Thomas, Daniel James, Brennan Johnson

Portugal v Wales stats, form

• Defending champions Portugal became the first two-time winners of the competition by beating Spain on penalties in the final in Munich in June 2025
• Portugal have won three of their four meetings with Wales (L1), most recently knocking them out of EURO 2016 in a semi-final in Lyon with a 2-0 win courtesy of goals by Ronaldo and Nani, marking the only-ever competitive edition of the fixture
• They have won both of their home games against Wales, prevailing 3-2 in Lisbon in May 1949 and 3-0 in Chaves in June 2000
• At 72, Jorge Jesus will break Fernando Santos’ record (68) as the oldest manager to take charge of Portugal and is 23 years older than Roberto Martinez was when Jesus’ predecessor was appointed in 2023
• Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes and Galatasaray winger Rafael Leao could win their 50th Portugal caps in this match
• Wales won promotion and remained unbeaten in their last Nations League campaign (W3 D3) but are in their lowest position in the rankings (38) since August 2014
• Their record across their 22 Nations League games is W10 D5 L7, with five of those losses coming during the 2022/23 season as Rob Page’s side were relegated from League A
• This is the second time Wales have appeared in League A following an unbeaten promotion campaign, previously achieving the feat in 2020/21
• They have lost one of their last nine competitive away matches (W4 D4), including 1-0 wins in their last two against Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan during 2026 World Cup qualifying
• Trevor Ford is the only player to have scored more than one goal across the meetings between these teams, netting three times in total for Wales across that defeat in 1949 and his side’s 2-1 win in Cardiff in May 1951

Where to watch Portugal v Wales: TV channel, live online streams

Kick-off on Thursday is at 19:45 BST (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT). In the UK, live TV coverage is on BBC One Wales, BBC Two and S4C.

Streaming on a vast range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website, as well as S4C Online.

For worldwide broadcast details, visit UEFA’s Nations League international broadcasters.

Portugal v Wales prediction

Match Prediction

Portugal

3 – 2

Wales

Portugal have not lost a competitive home match for more than four years and have the incentive of starting Jesus' reign positively. Wales had the inferior squad before their considerable list of absentees, but Craig Bellamy's side tend to be competitive and can be expected to test the Selecao