Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal Squad Wear Tribute Wristbands for Diogo Jota at 2026 FIFA World Cup

The Portugal national team has arrived at the 2026 FIFA World Cup carrying a deeply personal tribute to one of their own. During training sessions in Miami ahead of their Group K opener against DR Congo, the entire squad — including captain Cristiano Ronaldo — was spotted wearing commemorative wristbands honouring late forward Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident last year.

The wristbands were presented to the squad by Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro during a meeting before the team’s departure for North America. According to reports, FIFA approved the use of the wristbands during competitive matches, meaning Portugal’s players will be permitted to wear them throughout the tournament as a continuous mark of respect.

Each band features the names of every member of the current squad alongside a dedicated tribute to Jota, symbolically keeping the former Liverpool forward as part of the group’s World Cup journey. Jota earned 49 international caps for Portugal and scored 14 goals, establishing himself as a key figure in the national setup both for his contributions on the pitch and his standing within the dressing room.

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez addressed the emotional weight Jota’s memory carries within the camp. “Diogo is our light,” Martinez said. “He represents the desire to achieve what was always his dream, which was winning titles for Portugal.” The Spaniard also acknowledged the motivational dimension of the tribute: “He wanted to win the World Cup, and that gives us a responsibility to honour him and follow his example.”

The gesture reflects how profoundly Jota’s passing affected Portuguese football. Having been a regular starter under Martinez and a popular figure among supporters, his absence from what would have been a significant tournament for him adds considerable emotional context to Portugal’s campaign.

On the pitch, Portugal enter the 2026 FIFA World Cup among the tournament’s strong contenders. The squad blends established international experience with emerging talent, and Martinez’s side will be seeking to improve on their quarter-final exit at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where they were eliminated by eventual champions Argentina.

Their Group K campaign begins against DR Congo, a fixture in which Ronaldo and his teammates will take to the field bearing Jota’s name on their wrists — a tangible reminder, as the tournament begins, of the teammate whose legacy continues to shape the spirit of the Seleção.