Portugal's final World Cup tune-up as Nigeria coach talks up the seleção

One last test before it counts

Portugal face Nigeria on Wednesday in Leiria for the final warm-up before the World Cup. Roberto Martínez has a fully fit squad at his disposal after the closed training camp in Oeiras – Matheus Nunes trained after earlier fitness concerns. Every player in the 25-man squad is available, leaving Martínez with decisions to make across the pitch. Nigeria will be without Ademola Lookman and Victor Osimhen, but Isaac James warns Portugal not to underestimate the visitors (4): even without their stars, Nigeria are dangerous in transition.

Nigeria's manager: Portugal can win it all

The Nigerian coach didn't hold back ahead of the friendly: Portugal are among the teams capable of winning the World Cup (1) (2). That echoes what Paulo Bento has been saying – the squad has the quality to be in the group of candidates. The challenge, as Bento put it, is that things don't always go as desired. The Nigeria match is the last chance to fine-tune before that campaign begins.

Fan-reaktioner

The discourse around Cristiano Ronaldo isn't going anywhere. His lack of a World Cup knockout goal remains a flashpoint among fans who feel the extension of his international career is a risk the team keeps taking. There is also a quieter but growing buzz around squad depth – some supporters have built tools to model Portugal's real-time World Cup odds, and the numbers say this squad is genuinely stacked. The tension between faith in the collective and anxiety about the talisman is the defining fan conversation right now. Read more on Reddit