Former Portugal defender Abel Xavier has declared the current Portugal squad to be the strongest the country has ever produced, backing Fernando Santos’s successors to at least reach the semi-finals at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Portugal take on Croatia in the Round of 32 on Friday as the tournament enters its knockout phase.
- Portugal’s Round of 32 test and Ronaldo’s World Cup swansong
- Xavier’s belief in the squad’s quality and the semi-final target
- How the expanded format could create shocks, plus who Xavier rates
- Reconnecting with home and hopes for Bafana Bafana
- African football’s challenge and the teams Xavier backs to make history
Portugal’s Round of 32 test and Ronaldo’s World Cup swansong
Portugal will meet Croatia at 00:00 WAT on Friday, with the game shown live on SuperSport. Xavier expects Cristiano Ronaldo, who is 41, to be in action and believes it could be the decisive chapter of the forward’s World Cup story, with the match widely viewed as his final tournament appearance.
Xavier’s belief in the squad’s quality and the semi-final target
Speaking to SuperSport, Xavier—who played for Liverpool, Everton and Portugal—said Portugal’s best route to success is the sheer depth and quality available to the coach. In his view, that talent pool gives the team a realistic chance of going deep into the competition, but only if the setup and game plan are correct.
Xavier also highlighted Ronaldo’s motivation. He noted that while the Portugal captain has already won the UEFA European Championship with his country, he has never lifted the World Cup, and he suggested the global title remains the defining prize of his career.
How the expanded format could create shocks, plus who Xavier rates
Xavier believes the tournament’s expanded 48-team structure has made the World Cup less predictable. He pointed to physical attributes as a key advantage for African nations and to the tactical organisation of Asian teams, including South Korea, as elements that can spark upsets.
- He identified France, Brazil, Argentina and Spain as the main title favourites.
- He placed Portugal and England among the teams capable of challenging those favourites.
- He argued that African sides’ strength and Asian teams’ discipline can both disrupt expectations in knockout football.
Reconnecting with home and hopes for Bafana Bafana
Born in Mozambique, Xavier said his work with SuperSport has helped him reconnect with his roots across the continent. He added that he is hoping Bafana Bafana can recover after a slow start to their campaign and still earn qualification.
African football’s challenge and the teams Xavier backs to make history
Looking at African football more broadly, Xavier questioned why countries that regularly produce players for Europe’s biggest clubs have not consistently turned that pipeline into stronger national-team performances. He also cited what he sees as a shortage of experienced local coaches leading African sides.
- He referenced Ghana’s appointment of Carlos Queiroz as an example within that coaching discussion.
- He said Senegal and Morocco are the African teams currently best positioned to make history at a World Cup.
The Round of 32 match forms part of SuperSport’s coverage of all 104 fixtures at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
