Portugal carries Diogo Jota's memory into World Cup and braces for Congo opener amid heat concerns
The Portuguese squad, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, will wear wristbands bearing Diogo Jota's name when it opens its 2026 World Cup against DR Congo on 17 June in Houston.
Tribute to a fallen teammate
Every Portugal player will take the pitch with a green-and-red wristband carrying the names of the full squad plus that of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool forward killed in a car crash in Spain last July. The bands were a gift from Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, who made sure the accessories met pitch regulations. Midfielder Vitinha told reporters the team accepted them with affection and chose to wear them for the entire tournament. Coach Roberto Martínez has also included Jota as an honorary team member.
We received it with a lot of affection and we chose to use it.
Jota earned 49 caps and scored 14 goals for Portugal. His death, along with his brother, in a road accident in Zamora shook the football world just two weeks after his wedding.
Eyes on the opener
Portugal begins Group K play against Congo on Wednesday in Houston, before facing other opponents in the expanded 48-team tournament. Vitinha, a back-to-back Champions League winner with Paris Saint‑Germain, struck a cautious tone about the team's chances, four years after a quarter‑final exit in Qatar.
I wouldn't say we're the favourites, we have great quality and capacity to advance far in the tournament. We know the right path is to be humble and play the right game.
He stressed the squad is focused on the present and will approach each match step by step, rather than burdening itself with trophy talk.
Heat and logistics
Temperatures in Palm Beach, where Portugal held its first training session on Saturday, hovered around 31–32 °C. Organisers have implemented cooling stations and in‑match hydration breaks across the 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico and Canada. Vitinha acknowledged the challenge but said no conditions can excuse the team from giving everything.
The weather will affect how we play, but that is for everybody, not just for us. With varying temperatures in the U.S., Mexico and Canada, it is very difficult. But it is the World Cup and there are no excuses.
A dream shared
The midfielder also spoke of a lifelong ambition, noting that his father Vítor Manuel was a professional player and that chasing a World Cup title is all he has ever wanted. The squad was greeted by chanting fans in Florida and, led by Ronaldo, applauded them in return. Preparations continue with the opening fixture only days away.
