Portugal opens its 2026 World Cup preparation on Saturday with a friendly against Chile at Estádio Nacional in Lisbon, kickoff set for 10:45 p.m. BST. Roberto Martínez's side, currently fifth in FIFA's rankings, will use the fixture to sharpen match tempo before traveling to North America less than a week before their tournament opener against DR Congo.
The Portuguese topped their World Cup qualifying group with relative comfort, losing just once in 13 matches. Martínez's men played a goalless draw against Mexico in March before dispatching the USMNT 2–0. The 2024–25 UEFA Nations League winners, who beat Spain on penalties to claim silverware, will be without their Paris Saint-Germain contingent—Vitinha, Nuno Mendes and João Neves—after their club season concluded last Saturday.
The matchup already has enough history; the job is to keep the reading list shorter than the tension.
Portugal has lost only twice on home soil since the start of 2022, giving the hosts a firm foundation despite the missing Parisians. Mallorca's Samú Costa could slot into midfield, while João Cancelo, fresh from an impressive season with Barcelona, may replace Mendes at left back.
Chile, ranked 54th, arrives in Lisbon a shadow of its former self. The 2015 and 2016 Copa América winners failed to qualify for the World Cup after finishing bottom of the CONMEBOL table. Their last appearance came in 2014, when hosts Brazil edged them in the first knockout round. Eduardo Vargas was Chile's top scorer in qualifying with three goals, though São Paulo's Gonzalo Tapia is expected to lead the line in Lisbon. The visitors have lost four of their previous five away games.
This will be the fourth meeting between the nations and the first since 2017, when Chile won on penalties to reach the Confederations Cup final. The South Americans then ranked fourth in the world; they now sit 54th.
Portugal predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): D. Costa; Dalot, Dias, Inácio, Cancelo; R. Neves, S. Costa; Silva, Fernandes, Leão; Ronaldo.
Chile predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Vigouroux; Lichnovsky, Maripan, Sierralta, Suazo; Pizarro, Loyola; Gutierrez, Osorio, Sepulveda; Tapia.
Score Prediction: Portugal 3–0 Chile
What the friendly tells us
The result matters little—Portugal will ease into the summer against a side missing the golden generation that once made Chile a South American powerhouse. The real value is in rhythm, not rivalry. Martínez will get his full XI on the pitch, shake off rust, and perhaps steal a few minutes for Cancelo and Samú Costa to sync with the group.
Chile, meanwhile, plays for pride and continuity under Nicolás Córdova. Five games unbeaten before a thumping by New Zealand in March suggests modest recovery, but the road record speaks for itself. Lisbon won't cure that.
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