Wales will begin their return to the highest level of the UEFA Nations League with one of the most demanding assignments European international football can offer when they face defending champions Portugal in Lisbon on Thursday evening.
The League A Group 4 encounter will take place at the Estádio José Alvalade on September 24, with kick-off scheduled for 7.45pm UK time. Denmark and Norway complete a particularly challenging section in which Craig Bellamy’s side will regularly be tested against countries possessing some of the continent’s most accomplished players.
Promotion was secured after Wales finished top of their League B group in the previous edition of the competition. Bellamy went through that six-match campaign unbeaten, collecting three victories and three draws against Türkiye, Iceland and Montenegro. A 4-1 win over Iceland in Cardiff on the final evening ensured Wales moved back into League A and strengthened the sense that a progressive new era was developing under the former national-team captain.
Their first assignment following promotion could hardly be more difficult. Portugal won the 2024-25 Nations League and therefore enter the new competition as holders, while the hosts will also be playing their first match under recently appointed head coach Jorge Jesus.
The experienced Portuguese coach replaced Roberto Martínez following the country’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup. Portugal reached the last 16 of the tournament before suffering a 1-0 defeat against eventual champions Spain, with Mikel Merino scoring the decisive goal in stoppage time.
There were encouraging moments during the World Cup campaign, although Portugal did not consistently produce their most fluent football. They drew 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of Congo in their opening group match, responded by defeating Uzbekistan 5-0 and then recorded a goalless draw against Colombia. A dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in the first knockout round took them into the last 16, where their campaign was ended by their neighbours.
That sequence leaves Portugal with two victories, two draws and one defeat from their five World Cup fixtures. They scored nine goals and conceded only two, underlining the quality and defensive control available within a squad capable of competing with any national team.
Jesus inherits a gifted group but will be expected to shape it according to his own ideas. The 72-year-old has enjoyed a long and successful club career in Portugal, Brazil, Türkiye and Saudi Arabia, yet this represents his first appointment in international management. Thursday’s fixture will consequently carry added interest as observers look for early indications of how Portugal may change tactically.
Cristiano Ronaldo remains involved at the age of 41 and has been included in his new manager’s first squad. His selection ensures Wales could once again come up against a player who delivered one of the most painful moments in their recent history.
The countries last met competitively in the semi-final of Euro 2016. Ronaldo headed Portugal in front in Lyon before Nani diverted his low shot into the net, securing a 2-0 victory for Fernando Santos’ team. Portugal subsequently defeated hosts France in the final, while Wales returned home having completed the most successful European Championship campaign in their history.
That semi-final was the fourth senior meeting between the nations. Portugal won 3-2 in Lisbon in 1949, Wales recorded a 2-1 victory in Cardiff two years later, and the Portuguese claimed a 3-0 friendly success in 2000. Wales will therefore be seeking their first win over Thursday’s opponents for 75 years.
Ronaldo is only one part of a squad containing exceptional experience and technical ability. Manchester City defender Rúben Dias provides authority at the back, while Nuno Mendes, João Cancelo, Diogo Dalot, Gonçalo Inácio, Renato Veiga and Tomás Araújo give Jesus a variety of defensive options.
Vitinha and João Neves offer energy, intelligence and control in midfield, with Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva capable of creating opportunities or scoring from advanced positions. João Palhinha and Rúben Neves provide alternative qualities should the manager prefer greater physical presence or protection in front of the defence.
Further forward, Pedro Neto, Rafael Leão, Francisco Conceição, Francisco Trincão, João Félix, Fábio Silva and Gonçalo Ramos are among the players competing with Ronaldo for attacking roles. That depth means Wales must prepare for different threats regardless of the starting line-up Jesus chooses.
Ronaldo scored twice in Portugal’s 5-0 World Cup victory over Uzbekistan and converted a penalty against Croatia in the following round. His goal in that knockout match was the first he had scored during the knockout phase of a World Cup, demonstrating that he continues to influence significant matches despite reaching the latter stages of his career.
Jesus has made it clear that reputation alone will not determine selection and that performances will decide who plays. Even so, the captain’s presence will command enormous attention from the Welsh defence and from a capacity home crowd in Lisbon.
Bellamy’s preparations have been complicated by several important absences. Harry Wilson, Nathan Broadhead and goalkeeper Karl Darlow withdrew from the original squad, depriving Wales of two attacking players who have made meaningful contributions during the current manager’s tenure.
Wilson’s absence is particularly significant. The midfielder became a central figure during the previous Nations League campaign and scored important goals as Wales earned promotion. His creativity, movement between the lines and ability from set-pieces would have been valuable against a Portuguese defence likely to leave the visitors with limited possession.
Broadhead is unavailable because of a thigh problem, while Darlow’s withdrawal has required another change among the goalkeepers. David Cornell has received his first senior call-up, with Joe Taylor also brought into the group for the first time. Charlie Savage has returned to the international squad after an absence of approximately two years.
Joe Rodon is another major absentee after suffering a hamstring injury while playing for Leeds United. The central defender has been a dependable part of the Welsh back line, and his unavailability leaves Bellamy needing to reorganise a unit that will face sustained pressure from Portugal’s array of forwards.
Danny Ward and Tom King remain among the goalkeeping options, while Ben Davies, Chris Mepham, Ben Cabango, Neco Williams, Connor Roberts, Jay Dasilva and Rhys Norrington-Davies provide experience across the defensive positions. Finding the right balance without Rodon will be one of the manager’s most important decisions.
Captain Ethan Ampadu is expected to have a vital role shielding the defence and helping Wales retain possession when opportunities arise. Jordan James, Josh Sheehan and Joel Colwill are among the midfield alternatives, while Savage’s late inclusion provides Bellamy with another player comfortable receiving the ball under pressure.
Wales still possess pace and directness in attacking areas despite the withdrawals. Brennan Johnson, Daniel James, David Brooks, Lewis Koumas, Sorba Thomas and Cian Ashford offer different options around a central striker, with Kieffer Moore and Mark Harris capable of providing a focal point.
Wes Burns has also returned following a long and difficult recovery from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered in January 2025. Having spent almost a year out of action, his recall represents an important personal milestone and gives Bellamy an experienced wide player capable of operating in several systems.
The visitors arrive in Lisbon without having played a competitive international since their World Cup play-off disappointment against Bosnia and Herzegovina in March. That contest finished 1-1 after extra time before Bosnia won the penalty shootout 4-2, ending Welsh hopes of appearing at the tournament in North America.
A 1-1 friendly draw against Northern Ireland followed five days later, meaning Wales have not won either of their two matches during 2026. Those results must be considered alongside the longer development under Bellamy, however. Before the play-off setback, the team had produced an emphatic 7-1 victory over North Macedonia to finish second in their World Cup qualifying group, two points behind Belgium.
Bellamy has encouraged an aggressive and increasingly flexible style since succeeding Rob Page in 2024. Wales have generally attempted to press higher, move the ball with greater purpose and allow attacking players the freedom to interchange positions. Applying those principles away to Portugal will require courage, but it will also demand discipline and an awareness of when to adopt a more compact shape.
Possession is likely to be difficult to secure for extended periods. Vitinha, João Neves, Fernandes and Bernardo Silva are all comfortable operating in congested areas, while the hosts’ full-backs can advance and create overloads on either side. Wales must avoid being drawn out of position and will need their wide players to support the defence consistently.
Transitions could provide their most promising attacking route. The speed of Johnson and James can trouble opponents when space opens behind an advanced defensive line, while Brooks has the composure to carry possession and select the right final pass. If Moore starts, his ability to protect the ball and compete aerially could give the team a way of relieving pressure.
Set-pieces may offer another opportunity. Wales have traditionally carried a threat from dead-ball situations, although Wilson’s withdrawal removes one of their principal takers. Delivery and timing will need to be precise against a Portuguese side containing strong aerial defenders such as Dias and Inácio.
Portugal, meanwhile, will want to produce an authoritative performance in their first match under Jesus. The hosts are beginning the defence of a trophy they have won twice, having also lifted the inaugural Nations League title in 2019. Their ambitions will extend beyond simply progressing from the group, and victory in Lisbon would give the new coach an ideal start.
There remains an element of uncertainty because of the managerial change. Jesus has spoken about implementing significant alterations to the team’s playing style, but international coaches receive limited training time before competitive fixtures. Wales will attempt to use that period of transition to their advantage while recognising that individual Portuguese quality can compensate for any early tactical imperfections.
Both countries also face demanding schedules. Portugal travel to Norway three days after this contest, while Wales move on to Copenhagen for an away fixture against Denmark. Matches at home to Norway and Denmark then follow for Bellamy’s squad on October 1 and October 4 respectively.
Managing energy across the extended window will therefore be important, but neither coach is likely to look beyond the opening night. Points earned against direct rivals can quickly become decisive in a four-team group, particularly when only the leading two countries progress to the quarter-finals and the bottom two face either a relegation play-off or automatic demotion.
Wales will begin as underdogs, yet Bellamy has consistently encouraged his players to embrace difficult occasions instead of approaching them with fear. Avoiding defeat against the defending champions would represent an excellent start, while a victory would rank among the country’s finest away results.
The challenge is substantial, the list of absentees is significant and Portugal’s squad is filled with players accustomed to performing at the highest level. Nevertheless, promotion was earned through consistency, tactical commitment and a refusal to accept limitations. Those same qualities must now be carried into League A.
Lisbon will provide an immediate measure of how far Bellamy’s team have progressed. For Portugal, the evening marks the beginning of another era and the start of their title defence. For Wales, it offers a chance to put World Cup disappointment behind them, test themselves against elite opposition and demonstrate that their place among the Nations League’s leading countries has been deserved.
