With just six days before the 2026 FIFA World Cup starts, former Benfica defender, Ruben Dias, believes the Portuguese national team has the quality, experience and ambition required to challenge for glory as preparations intensify for the global tournament in North America.
The Manchester City centre-back is expected to play a leading role for Roberto Martinez’s side when Portugal begin their campaign in Group K against Congo DR before facing Uzbekistan and Colombia.
With the tournament set to be his third World Cup appearance, Dias says he is entering the competition in excellent “physical and mental condition” and is eager to embrace another opportunity to represent his country.
Having already experienced the unique atmosphere and pressure that comes with the World Cup, the 29-year-old believes this edition could prove particularly memorable for Portugal as they seek to make history by winning it for the very first time.
Growing Confidence Within the Squad
After winning the UEFA Nations League in 2025, Portugal arrive at the World Cup with growing confidence after a series of strong performances in recent major tournaments.
Dias believes the team has steadily progressed over the years and now possesses a squad filled with players competing at the highest level of club football. According to the defender, that experience helps the team handle pressure and expectations more effectively.
While acknowledging that every tournament presents a fresh challenge, Dias stressed that Portugal’s ability to respond to difficult moments will determine how far they can go. He suggested that overcoming “adversity” during the competition will be crucial in shaping the team’s journey and strengthening belief within the squad.
The experienced defender insisted there is genuine optimism within the camp, but emphasised the importance of remaining grounded despite the growing expectations surrounding the team.
Leadership and Experience Key to Success
Dias has become one of Portugal’s senior figures and is expected to be among the team’s leaders throughout the tournament.
With more than 70 international appearances to his name, he acknowledged that experience and time have naturally increased his responsibilities within the national setup. Although he still considers himself relatively young, Dias admitted he is now among the most experienced members of the squad.
The centre-back expressed his desire to use that experience to guide younger teammates and contribute to the team’s success both on and off the pitch.
Dias also credited Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo for helping shape his own leadership qualities. He described the legendary forward as a constant source of “inspiration,” pointing to Ronaldo’s vast experience and professionalism as qualities younger players continue to learn from.
The former Benfica defender also highlighted the importance of strong relationships within the squad. Having shared several successful years at Manchester City with Bernardo Silva, Dias believes those close connections help create a positive atmosphere and strengthen team unity.
According to him, the chemistry between players plays a significant role in building a winning environment and contributes to the togetherness that has become a feature of the current Portugal squad.
Ambition to Make History
Portugal have never won the FIFA World Cup, with their best finish coming in 1966 when they reached the semi-finals before eventually claiming third place.
Dias believes the current generation has every reason to dream of achieving something unprecedented, but insists ambition must be matched with humility and hard work.
Rather than focusing solely on belief, the defender pointed to the squad’s determination and desire to succeed. He explained that confidence will naturally increase as the tournament progresses, particularly if Portugal can navigate difficult moments and continue building momentum.
Dias maintained that the players understand the scale of the challenge ahead and remain fully aware of how demanding a World Cup campaign can be. However, he believes the combination of talent, experience and collective ambition gives Portugal a genuine opportunity to compete with the world’s best teams.
As Portugal prepare to begin their campaign against Congo DR on June 17, Dias is convinced the squad possesses the qualities needed to mount a serious challenge for football’s greatest prize.
While remaining realistic about their chances ahead of the Mundial, the defender insists Portugal are approaching the tournament more “ambitious than ever” and determined to turn their World Cup dream into reality.
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