Lisbon: Portugal national team coach, Roberto Martnez, has paid a powerful tribute to the late Diogo Jota by symbolically including him in his 27-man squad for the upcoming World Cup. Martnez described the selection as '27 players plus one', with the additional spot dedicated to Jota, whose memory continues to be honored within the national team setup.
According to Ghana Web, the emotional gesture was announced during a press briefing at Cidade do Futebol, where the Portugal squad was unveiled ahead of the tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Jota, who died in a tragic car accident in July 2025 at the age of 28, remains a deeply respected figure in Portuguese football.
Martnez said Jota's spirit and example continue to inspire the team, stressing that the squad carries his legacy into the competition. "He is our strength, our joy," the coach said, adding that Portugal will continue to fight for the values and dreams Jota represented on and off the pitch.
The reigning Nations League champions head into the tournament with high expectations and will open their Group K campaign against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Houston on June 17, 2026. They will then face Uzbekistan before concluding the group stage against Colombia in Miami.