World Cup 2026: Carlos Forbs called up to the Portuguese national team for the first time.

Forward Carlos Forbs has been called up to the Portuguese national football team for the first time today, ahead of the final matches in Group F of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Ireland and Armenia, coach Roberto Martínez announced.

The 21-year-old winger, who plays for Club Brugge, had been a regular in the under-21 national team, now making his debut among the elite of national football, just days after standing out in the Belgian team's 3-3 draw with FC Barcelona in the Champions League, where he scored two goals and provided an assist.

Among the 26 players called up by Martínez, the return of full-back João Cancelo stands out, who missed the October double-header against Ireland (1-0) and Hungary (2-2) due to injury, while midfielder João Neves is recalled after overcoming the physical problems that forced his dismissal from the national team during last month's training camp.

Left-back Nuno Mendes of Paris Saint-Germain was left out of the squad due to injury.

Portugal will face Ireland in Dublin on November 13th at 7:45 PM (8:45 PM local time), and then host Armenia on the 16th at the Estádio do Dragão in Porto at 2:00 PM.

In the fifth round, a victory in Ireland would guarantee the national team's qualification for the 2026 World Cup, but a draw could be enough if Hungary fails to win in Armenia.

The Portuguese team leads the group with 10 points, five more than Hungary, in second place, followed by Ireland with four, and Armenia with three.

The group winner secures a place in the final stage of the tournament, which will be held next year in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and which for the first time will feature 48 teams. The runner-up will have to compete in the playoffs.

List of the 26 players called up:

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (FC Porto), Rui Silva (Sporting) and José Sá (Wolverhampton, England).

– Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United, England), Nelson Semedo (Fenerbahçe, Turkey), João Cancelo (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), Gonçalo Inácio (Sporting), Rúben Dias (Manchester City, England), António Silva (Benfica) and Renato Veiga (Villarreal, Spain).

– Midfielders: João Palhinha (Tottenham, England), Rúben Neves (Al Hilal, Saudi Arabia), João Neves (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Matheus Nunes (Manchester City, England), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain, France), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United, England), Pedro Gonçalves (Sporting) and Bernardo Silva (Manchester City, England).

– Forwards : João Félix (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia), Francisco Trincão (Sporting), Francisco Conceição (Juventus, Italy), Pedro Neto (Chelsea, England), Rafael Leão (AC Milan, Italy), Carlos Forbs (Club Brugge, Belgium), Gonçalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain, France) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Al Nassr, Saudi Arabia).