Armenia Portugal match preview: Lineups, key players, kickoff

Armenia Portugal match preview: Get lineups, team news, key players, and kickoff details for the UEFA World Cup 2026 qualifier. Portugal will kick off their campaign for the FIFA World Cup 2026 with an away fixture against Armenia. This UEFA qualifier not only marks the start of Portugal’s journey toward Qatar 2026 but also serves as an emotional occasion, coming after the tragic passing of forward Diogo Jota.

Match Details:

• Fixture: Armenia vs Portugal
• Competition: UEFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers
• Venue: Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia
• Date & Time: Saturday, September 6, 20:00 local time (16:00 GMT)
• Follow Live: Al Jazeera Sport will provide full pre-match coverage from 13:00 GMT, along with live text commentary.

Portugal’s Emotional Return After Diogo Jota’s Passing

Portugal’s squad is entering this match with heavy hearts following the death of Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident on July 3 alongside his brother Andre Silva. Midfielder Ruben Neves, a close friend and former teammate of Jota at Wolverhampton and the national team, will honor him by wearing the number 21 jersey.

Ahead of the match, Neves revealed a tattoo on his left calf showing him embracing Jota in tribute. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, and Prime Minister Luis Montenegro also attended a memorial ceremony recognizing Jota and former international Jorge Costa, who recently passed away.

The Portuguese Football Federation posthumously honored Jota and Costa with the Commanders of the Order of Merit, celebrating their dedication to football and the national team. In a symbolic gesture, Portugal’s squad is listed as “23 + 1” players, keeping Jota’s memory alive in their campaign.

Why Portugal Is Starting Their Qualifiers Late

Portugal, along with 23 other nations, is only now entering the World Cup 2026 qualifying rounds. This delay is due to their deep involvement in the 2025 Nations League, where Portugal won the championship by beating Spain 5-3 on penalties. Their Nations League success against top European teams like Germany and Spain has meant they start the qualifying journey later than other teams.

Head-to-Head: Armenia vs Portugal

This will be the seventh meeting between the two nations in competitive football. Portugal has the edge historically with four wins and two draws, including a 3-2 victory in Armenia during the 2015 Euro qualifiers. Cristiano Ronaldo has an impressive record against Armenia, scoring five goals in four matches, including a hat-trick in their last encounter.

Armenia Team News and Predicted Lineup

Armenia faces injury setbacks with Narek Grigoryan unavailable and Norberto Briasco absent due to family reasons. However, Lucas Zelarayan and Grant-Leon Ranos return to the squad.

Predicted Starting XI:

• Goalkeeper: Cancarevic
• Defenders: Hovhannisyan, Mkrtchyan, Arutyunyan, Muradyan, Tiknizyan
• Midfielders: Iwu, Dashyan
• Forwards: Bichakhchyan, Zelarayan, Barseghyan

Portugal Team News and Predicted Lineup

Portugal will be without Rafael Leao (calf injury) and Diogo Dalot (muscle injury). Despite these absences, the team remains strong with stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva leading the attack.

Predicted Starting XI:

• Goalkeeper: Costa
• Defenders: Cancelo, Dias, A. Silva, Mendes
• Midfielders: Fernandes, R. Neves, Bernardo Silva
• Forwards: Conceicao, Ronaldo, Neto

Key Players to Watch

• Cristiano Ronaldo: A goal-scoring machine against Armenia, expected to lead Portugal’s attack.
• Ruben Neves: A central figure in midfield and emotional tribute to Jota.
• Lucas Zelarayan: Returning for Armenia, a creative spark capable of changing the game.

What to Expect

Portugal aims to start their World Cup 2026 campaign on a high note, balancing competitive ambition with a heartfelt tribute to their fallen teammate. Armenia, playing at home, will seek to capitalize on familiar conditions and challenge the Portuguese side. Fans can expect an intense, emotional, and highly competitive fixture at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium.

Armenia Portugal match.