Roberto Martinez’s Portugal open their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign with an away trip to Armenia on Saturday.
The match at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium is certain to be an emotional affair for the Portuguese as it's their first outing since the tragic passing of Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva in a car crash in June this year.
The fixture also represents Portugal’s first encounter since winning their second UEFA Nations League title in June, when they beat Spain 5-3 on penalties in the final.
The Selecao are seen as firm favourites to progress from Group F, which also includes Hungary and the Republic of Ireland, but they will be looking to top their group and seal automatic qualification for next year’s tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada.
Martinez will be keen to see his team make a strong start to qualifying, considering that Portugal have required a playoff to reach three of the last four World Cups.
Having said that, they have never lost against Saturday’s opponents, Armenia (W4, D2), which bodes well ahead of their matchday one fixture.
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On the other hand, Armenia sacked Dutchman John van 't Schip as head coach after he failed to win any of his four matches at the helm (D1, L3).
He was replaced by Yegishe Melikyan, who is tasked with the responsibility of turning the team’s fortunes around.
Armenia go into the game against Portugal with their form in dire straits as they have slipped to the 105th position in the latest FIFA world rankings.
Melikyan has his task cut out for him in the qualification round as Armenia have never qualified for the World Cup as an independent nation.
They enter Saturday’s clash as major underdogs, but they did at least put up an admirable fight when they lost 3-2 on home soil in their last encounter with the European giants in Euro 2016 qualifying.
Armenia vs. Portugal: Predicted starting XI, team news, rosters
For the home side, uncapped midfielder Narek Grigoryan has been left out of Melikyan’s 25-man squad due to injury, and Norberto Briasco has withdrawn due to a family issue.
However, Lucas Zelarayan and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Grant-Leon Ranos have both returned to the senior setup.
Manager Melikayan is likely to call up Legia Warsaw’s Vahan Bichakhchyan to provide a creative spark in midfield, while 60-cap Slovan Bratislava striker Tigran Barseghyan will be hoping to net his 10th goal for the national team.
Armenia predicted lineup (5-4-1, right to left): Cancarevic (GK) — Hovhannisyan, Mkrtchyan, Arutyunyan, Muradyan, Tiknizyan — Bichakhchyan, Iwu, Dashyan, Zelarayan — Barseghyan
Armenia full roster:
Goalkeepers: Henri Avagyan, Ognjen Cancarevic. Arsen Beglaryan
Defenders: Kamo Hovhannisyan, Styopa Mkrtchyan, Erik Piloyan, Edgar Grigoryan, Georgi Harutyunyan, Nair Tiknizyan, Sergey Muradyan, Albert Khachumyan
Midfielders: Narek Aghasaryan, Gor Manvelyan, Vahan Bichakhchyan, Eduard Spertsyan, Artak Dashyan, Edgar Sevikyan, Hovhannes Harutyunyan, Daniel Aghbalyan, Ugochukwu Christus Iwu, Karen Nalbandyan
Forwards: Artur Serobyan, Zhirayr Shagoyan, Lucas Manuel Zelarayán, Grant-Leon Ranos, Norberto Briasco Balekian, Tigran Barseghyan
On the other hand, for Portugal, AC Milan forward Rafael Leao is ruled out with a calf injury, while Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot has been forced to withdraw from the national team squad after picking up a muscle problem.
Joao Cancelo and Joao Neves are therefore set to battle for a start at right-back, while Francisco Conceicao and Pedro Neto could both link up in the final third.
In attack, Portugal’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo will be licking his lips at the sight of Armenia having scored five goals in just four games against them.
Finally, on an emotional night for the entire Portugal team, Ruben Neves will wear the late Diogo Jota’s number 21 shirt and play in midfield, after Jota’s family decided to let Neves have the number.
Portugal predicted lineup (4-3-3, right to left): Costa (GK) —Cancelo, Dias, A. Silva, Mendes — Fernandes, R. Neves, Bernardo — Conceicao, Ronaldo, Neto
Portugal full roster:
Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa, Rui Silva, Jose Sa
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, João Cancelo, Nuno Mendes, Goncalo Inácio, Ruben Dias, Antonio Silva, Renato Veiga
Midfielders: Joao Palhinha, Ruben Neves, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, Pedro Goncalves, Bernardo Silva
Forwards: Joao Felix, Francisco Trincao, Francisco Conceicao, Pedro Neto, Goncalo Ramos, Cristiano Ronaldo
Armenia vs. Portugal match details
- Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
- Kickoff time: 8 p.m. local / 9.30 p.m. IST (Sep. 6)
- Location: Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan (Armenia)
- Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
- Referee: Anthony Taylor (ENG)