Cristiano Ronaldo is set to add another chapter to his remarkable international career as Portugal begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign against DR Congo. The veteran forward will become the first male footballer to feature in six World Cup tournaments, extending a record that underlines his extraordinary longevity at the highest level.
At 41, Ronaldo remains a key figure for Portugal as the team looks to challenge for its first-ever World Cup title. Having made his tournament debut in Germany in 2006, the Portuguese captain has represented his country in every World Cup since, building one of the most impressive records in football history.
A career filled with World Cup records
Across five World Cup tournaments, Ronaldo has made 22 appearances and scored eight goals. He holds the unique distinction of being the only male player to score in five different World Cups — a feat achieved in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022.
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His first World Cup goal came against Iran in 2006, while one of his standout performances arrived in Russia in 2018 when he scored a memorable hat-trick against Spain. Despite several iconic moments, the World Cup trophy has remained out of reach for both Ronaldo and Portugal.
🚨🚨| Cristiano Ronaldo arrives at the Houston Stadium to begin his sixth World Cup campaign with Portugal. 🇵🇹💫 pic.twitter.com/K1kLLPV23Z
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) June 17, 2026
Portugal’s best finish during Ronaldo’s World Cup career came in 2006, when the team reached the semi-finals before eventually finishing fourth.
Opportunity to create more history
The 2026 tournament presents another chance for Ronaldo to strengthen his legacy. A goal in this edition would make him the first male footballer to score in six different World Cups.
Portugal heads into the tournament with a balanced squad that combines experienced players with emerging talent. While Ronaldo is no longer in the early years of his career, his experience, leadership and goalscoring ability continue to make him one of the team's most influential players.
As Portugal prepares for their opening Group K match against DR Congo, Ronaldo once again finds himself at the centre of global attention. Whether or not Portugal can finally lift the World Cup trophy, the tournament offers another opportunity for one of football’s greatest players to make history on the sport’s biggest stage.
