New Portugal Coach Jorge Jesus Says He Won't Make Drastic Changes To Squad
Newly appointed Portugal coach Jorge Jesus has announced he will not make major changes to the national squad following their 2026 World Cup exit. He intends to keep a core group of players, including veteran Cristiano Ronaldo, citing limited preparation time before the Nations League.
Why it matters
This decision signals the continued reliance on aging superstars in international football and sets the tactical direction for Portugal's next four-year cycle.
Newly-appointed Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has insisted he will refrain from making wholesale changes to the squad following their premature World Cup exit. The former Al-Nassr manager confirmed that his upcoming selection will closely resemble the previous group, keeping the door firmly open for veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo. Portugal's new manager Jesus, who signed a four-year deal to lead the national team until the 2030 World Cup, has asserted he will not fundamentally overhaul the squad composition ahead of his Nations League debut. The 71-year-old feels limited preparation time makes major experimentation a risky move following their 2026 World Cup round-of-16 exit. This pragmatic approach strongly signals that 41-year-old Ronaldo remains part of his core plans. The former Al-Nassr tactician reassured the public that he will only alter a few names from the group that featured in North America.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in