Joao Pedro Goncalves Neves

Joao Pedro Goncalves Neves is a confirmed midfielder in Portugal's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named in Roberto Martínez's final 26. He plays his club football for Paris Saint-Germain and goes into the finals aged 21. He is right-footed and stands 1.71 m.

Portugal reached the tournament by winning UEFA Group F, qualifying on 16 November 2025, and have been drawn in Group K alongside DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia for the group stage. The 2026 finals will be Neves's first senior World Cup; he won the UEFA Champions League with Paris Saint-Germain, playing the full final as PSG retained the trophy in 2026. He is among the midfielders Roberto Martínez takes into the group stage, with Portugal opening against DR Congo in Houston on 17 June 2026.

An energetic, press-resistant central midfielder, Joao Pedro Goncalves Neves operates in a double pivot, breaking up play and driving forward with the ball. He keeps Portugal ticking in the middle, comfortable carrying the ball under pressure and winning it back quickly. He is right-footed and stands 1.71 m. He has logged 2,701 minutes across 38 club appearances this season, going into the group stage in Roberto Martínez's squad at 21.

Neves brings energy and goals from midfield to Portugal, a press-resistant central midfielder whose driving runs returned 7 goals in 38 club appearances this season. That all-action presence in the middle of the pitch, breaking up play and pushing forward, is what he offers Roberto Martínez going into the group stage. On the Goal Rush card Portugal are a Tier 2 side at £24m within the game's £200m card budget.