Portugal in Qatar with Ronaldo but without Moutinho

Portugal heads to Qatar with 37-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo for the World Cup. The 26-man squad announced by team boss Fernando Santos on Thursday includes nine other players signed for Premier League clubs, including playmakers Bernardo Silva (Manchester City) and Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) alongside the star striker.

The program does not include former Bayern Munich professional player Renato Sanchez (Paris Saint-Germain). The lack of consideration for 36-year-old star Joao Moutinho (Wolverhampton Wanderers) is also surprising.

“Regardless of the names and discussions about whether it is this or that, I hope that all Portuguese people will support the national team,” Santos said. The coach, who led Portugal to the European Championship in 2016, gave the Selecao fans hope: “I think we can become world champions.”

Portugal will face Ghana, Uruguay and South Korea in Group H in Qatar. In the last two World Cups, the team failed in the round of 16.

The Portugal squad consists of 26 players

Goal: Diogo Costa (Porto), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Rui Patricio (Rome).

defense: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City), Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain), Pepe (Porto), Ruben Dias (Manchester City), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Nuno Mendes (Paris Saint-Germain) Rafael Guerrero ( Borussia Dortmund)

Midline: Joao Balenha (Fulham), Ruben Neves (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Joao Mario (Benfica), Mateos Nunes (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Vitenha (Paris Saint-Germain), William Carvalho ( Real Betis), Ottavio (Porto)

attacks: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid), Rafael Leao (AC Milan), Ricardo Horta (Sporting Braga), Goncalo Ramos (Benfica), Andre Silva (RB Leipzig).