Portugal World Cup 2022 squad: Who's in and who's out?

These players got the nod from head coach Fernando Santos as the Portuguese prepare for 2022 World Cup.

Portugal will be making their eighth appearance in the World Cup in Qatar and coach Fernando Santos will hope that his team can live up to the expectations.

They are yet to lift the coveted prize and their best result was a third-place finish in 1966.

Could this be the time that Cristiano Ronaldo & co. finally get their hands on the trophy after securing qualification through the play-offs?

They have been drawn in Group H along with Uruguay, Ghana, and South Korea. Not an easy group to be placed in, but given the resources in their tank they are likely to progress to the knockouts, barring a major upset.

With the 26 players locked in, how far do you think Portugal will go in Qatar? nowgoal goaloo

GOALKEEPERS
Goalkeeping should be a concern for Santos in Qatar. Although there are plenty of options to choose from, none can be counted as amongst the best in the world.

Veteran keeper Rui Patricio has traditionally been the top choice but he is prone to errors.

Porto's Diogo Costa is a young keeper and is known to be sure-footed between the sticks, but lacks the experience of playing on the biggest stages. Qatar could be the chance he takes the lead role, though, and truly announces himself to the world.

Wolves' Jose Sa is likely to be the third choice for Santos, but is yet to make his senior national team debut.

DEFENDERS
Portugal have a solid back-line led by Manchester City skipper Ruben Dias. He is likely to be partnered by an experienced candidate in Pepe.

Jose Fonte has missed out despite his experience, as has versatile option Tiago Djalo and the likes of David Carmo and Ferro.

Joao Cancelo is the preferred choice at right-back, but could face competition for a starting berth from Diogo Dalot, who has been exceptional at Manchester United this season.

On the left flank, Nuno Mendes should start. However, Santos is spoilt for choice in this position as there are several other candidates in Dortmund's Raphael Guerreiro, and the fact that Cancelo can play there too.

Some big names have missed out - a reservoir of talent!

MIDFIELDERS
Portugal have plenty of quality at the centre of the park, too.

The preferred three should be Bruno Fernandes, Ruben Neves and Bernardo Silva. But if Santos wants to mix things up in the middle, he has plenty of assuring options.

Vitinha and Matheus Nunes are young and exciting talents, while William Carvalho adds further depth and experience to the roster.

Otavio is is blooming late but surely at Porto and has the potential to shine at the highest level.

Renato Sanches, once tipped to be a generational talent, has failed to live up to expectations. He is struggling for minutes at PSG after joining them in the summer and has missed out on making the cut as a result.

ATTACKERS
Portugal's hopes rest once again on the shoulders of Cristiano Ronaldo. The player with the most international goals in men's football will look to further add to his tally in Qatar and guide his nation to the ultimate prize in international football.

He will be ably supported by players such as Joao Felix and AC Milan's Rafael Leao, with Diogo Jota and Pedro Neto both ruled out due to injury.

Andre Silva and Goncalo Ramos have made the cut, but there is no room for Goncalo Guedes, who misses out altogether.

The retirement of Rafa Silva from international football in September was a surprise for Portugal.

STRONGEST XI
The first choice between the sticks should be Diogo Costa, with the Porto man displacing the more experienced Rui Patricio for the qualification playoffs and now seemingly being Portugal's No.1.

In defence, Ruben Dias and Pepe are likely to be the two centre backs with Mendes and Cancelo as the wide options.

Neves will likely play the role of a defensive midfielder, with Bernardo Silva slightly higher up. Meanwhile, Fernandes will likely be the most attacking option.

The front-three could be comprised of Otavio, Ronaldo, and Leao.

Portugal XI (4-3-3): Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Pepe, Mendes; Neves, Bernardo Silva, Fernandes; Otavio, Ronaldo, Leao