Nuno Mendes

Nuno Mendes is a confirmed defender in Portugal's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named by Roberto Martínez on 19 May 2026. The Paris Saint-Germain left-back is 23 at kick-off and brings 43 senior Portugal caps and one international goal into the tournament. That one goal came in the 2025 UEFA Nations League final against Spain.

Portugal face DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia in Group K, opening against DR Congo at NRG Stadium in Houston on 17 June. Martínez's side won UEFA Group F to qualify on 16 November 2025, with possession-heavy work — 71.0% in qualifying, the third-highest share in Europe — defining the route through the European campaign.

Mendes is a left-sided attacking full-back or wing-back. Speed and technical quality let him create danger from a standing start or on the counter-attack, and his crossing holds up whether he is tightly marked or open in space.

Under Luis Enrique at Paris Saint-Germain he has become more tactically disciplined, with mature one-on-one defending against opponents such as Mohamed Salah and Lamine Yamal.

On Portugal's £24m Tier 2 Goal Rush slot within the game's £200m card budget, Nuno Mendes brings the left flank. The PSG left-back's profile reads as speed, wide-area crossing and the kind of one-on-one defending developed under Luis Enrique. Group K opens against DR Congo at NRG Stadium in Houston on 17 June, with Uzbekistan and Colombia to follow on the matchday lane.