UEFA Nations League,
League A – 1
Portugal
FOR
09/24/2026
7:45 p.m
wales
WAL
-
referee
- Given Roms
Portugal – Wales Nations League Preview
As Jorge Jesus takes charge of Portugal for the first time, one of the tactical choices the Portuguese press believe the 72-year-old could face is how to fit Benfica midfielder Joao Palhinha and Al-Nassr forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Joao Felix into his system.
“It’s possible that some will end up in different positions than the ones they play at their clubs,” Jesus told Sport TV (via registration) before his debut as an international coach.
“We did two training sessions, including an indoor session… we have to believe in their intelligence and what they are capable of doing.
“It’s the highest point of my career. From an emotional point of view, dreaming of being world champion is the highest point you can reach. I’m a proud Portuguese, so it’s special.”
Cardiff City are in the relegation zone in England’s second tier, but Bluebirds midfielder Joel Colwill could be set to meet a three-time Premier League champion, with Jesus confirming that. Ronaldo will start in the 41-year-old’s 15th qualifying campaign for the hosts.
“If I was on the pitch next to someone like Ronaldo, you think ‘this is a bit crazy’,” said 21-year-old Colwill. BBC Sportweighing in on the timeless debate over whether Manchester United’s former rival or generational rival Lionel Messi is better.
“Standing next to one of the greatest players of all time would be quite a surreal moment, if it happens. Fingers crossed. Ronaldo is one of the greatest goalscorers of all time, but messiah is one of the best when it comes to creating games.
“They both have their own different ways of impressing. It’s very hard to choose (between them). They both had moments in history when they were the best, and then you switch to the other.”
“It’s a 50-50 toss. I couldn’t even give you an answer.”
Portugal v Wales team news
Benfica goalkeeper Samuel Soares is Portugal’s only potential debutant, with Borussia Dortmund striker Fabio Silva, who replaces Goncalo Guedes, hoping to make a second senior international appearance.
Soares has replaced Jose Sa, while Lazio left-back Nuno Tavares returns, but Matheus Nunes and Nelson Semedo remain out, as does Samuel Costa.
Goalkeeper Karl Darlow, defenders Joe Rodon and Dylan Lawlor, midfielder Rubin Colwill and forwards Nathan Broadhead, Harry Wilson and Isaak Davies are all injured for Wales.
Leicester City goalkeeper David Cornell and Huddersfield Town striker Joe Taylor could win their first caps after being called up as substitutes alongside Reading midfielder Charlie Savage, who is the son of flamboyant former Wales international Robbie Savage.
Midfielder Jordan James, on loan to Wolves from Rennes, returns as part of a team with new arrival Cian Ashford, a 21-year-old striker from Cardiff.
Portugal v Wales predicted Nations League line-ups
Portugal: Diogo Costa, Joao Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Pedro Neto, Bruno Fernandes, Joao Felix, Cristiano Ronaldo
Wales: Danny Ward, Neco Williams, Ben Cabango, Rhys Norrington-Davies, Jay Dasilva, Ethan Ampadu, Jordan James, David Brooks, Sorba Thomas, Daniel James, Brennan Johnson
Statistics of Portugal – Wales, form
- Defending champions Portugal became the competition’s first two-time winners by beating Spain on penalties in the final in Munich in June 2025.
- Portugal have won three of their four meetings with Wales (L1), last knocking them out of EURO 2016 in a semi-final in Lyon with a 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Ronaldo and Nani, marking the only competitive edition of the game.
- They have won both home games against Wales, winning 3-2 in Lisbon in May 1949 and 3-0 in Chaves in June 2000.
- At 72, Jorge Jesus will break Fernando Santos’ (68) record as the oldest coach to take charge of Portugal and is 23 years older than Roberto Martínez when he was appointed as Jesus’ predecessor in 2023.
- Paris Saint-Germain defender Nuno Mendes and Galatasaray winger Rafael Leao could win their 50th Portugal caps in this game
- Wales won promotion and remained unbeaten in their last Nations League campaign (3W3D3), but are in their lowest position in the rankings (38) since August 2014.
- Their record in their 22 Nations League games is 10 wins, 5 draws, 7 losses, with five of those defeats coming in the 2022/23 season as Rob Page’s side were relegated from the A League.
- This is Wales’ second appearance in the A-League after an unbeaten promotion campaign, having already achieved the feat in 2020/21.
- They have lost one of their last nine competitive away games (W4 D4), including 1-0 wins in their last two against Liechtenstein and Kazakhstan during 2026 World Cup qualifying.
- Trevor Ford is the only player to have scored more than one goal in meetings between these teams, scoring three goals in total for Wales after that defeat in 1949 and his side’s 2–1 win at Cardiff in May 1951.
Where to watch Portugal-Wales: TV channel, live streaming online
Kick-off on Thursday is 19:45 BST (14:45 ET / 11:45 PT). In the UK, live television coverage is on BBC One Wales, BBC Two and S4C.
Streaming on a wide range of devices is available through the BBC iPlayer app and BBC Sport website as well as S4C Online.
For worldwide streaming details, visit International broadcasters of the UEFA Nations League.
Prediction Portugal-Wales
Portugal
3-2
wales
Portugal have not lost a competitive game at home for more than four years and are keen to start Jesus’ reign on a positive note. Wales had the bottom team ahead of their considerable absentee list, but Craig Bellamy’s side tend to be competitive and can be expected to test the Selecao.
