Rúben Neves

Rúben Neves is a defensive midfielder in Portugal's 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, listed by Roberto Martínez in a midfield group alongside Bernardo Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, João Neves and Samú Costa. The Al-Hilal midfielder is 29 at kick-off and had 65 senior Portugal caps and one international goal as of 31 March 2026, sitting among the deeper midfielders in the squad.

Portugal topped UEFA Group F to qualify on 16 November 2025 and were drawn into Group K. They open against DR Congo at NRG Stadium in Houston on 17 June, then face Uzbekistan in Houston on 23 June and Colombia in Miami Gardens on 27 June. Neves's place was confirmed when the final 26 was announced on 19 May 2026.

Neves is a deep-lying defensive midfielder who sits in front of the back four, screening the defence and starting attacks with his passing range from deep. He also presses forward into midfield when the game opens up, and long-range shooting is a feature of his game from that position.

In Portugal's possession-heavy 4-2-3-1, which produced a 71.0% share of the ball in qualifying that ranked third in Europe, Neves is one of the deeper midfield options Roberto Martínez can pick. His one international goal reflects a role built on control and distribution rather than goal output.

Portugal are a Tier 2 pick at £24m on the Goal Rush card, a second-band slot within the game's £200m card budget. The early fixtures come in Group K against DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia, with Portugal arriving as UEFA Group F winners under Roberto Martínez.

Neves's part in that pick is control from deep: one international goal as of 31 March 2026 marks him as a screening midfielder who recycles possession rather than a points-scoring name on the team card.