Can Cymru Shock Ronaldo & Co? Kick-off, TV, Team News and Nations League Preview
TEN years after one of the most famous nights in Welsh football history ended in heartbreak against Portugal, Wales are heading back to face Cristiano Ronaldo and company once again.
This time the setting is Lisbon rather than Lyon, and the competition is the UEFA Nations League rather than the European Championship.
But Portugal v Wales still has a certain ring to it.
Craig Bellamy’s Cymru begin their return to League A on Thursday evening with arguably the toughest assignment possible: away to the reigning Nations League champions.
And yes, at the age of 41, Cristiano Ronaldo is still there.
When is Portugal v Wales?
Portugal v Wales takes place on Thursday, 24 September, 2026, kicking off at 7.45pm UK time.
The match will be played at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, home of Sporting CP. The stadium holds more than 50,000 spectators, with around 2,500 tickets originally allocated to travelling members of the Red Wall.
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Is Portugal v Wales live on TV?
Yes.
S4C’s Sgorio Rhyngwladol coverage begins at 7.20pm, with the match available on S4C, S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer. English-language coverage is also being provided by BBC Cymru Wales.
All six of Wales’ Nations League matches this autumn are being shown live.
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Wales are back among Europe’s elite
This is where things become interesting.
Wales earned promotion back to League A after an unbeaten Nations League campaign under Craig Bellamy in 2024, eventually topping their League B group ahead of Türkiye.
A memorable 4–1 victory over Iceland in Cardiff secured promotion and ensured Wales would once again find themselves mixing with some of Europe’s strongest national sides.
There is no gentle introduction.
Group A4 contains Portugal, Denmark, Norway and Wales.
After Lisbon, Cymru travel immediately to Copenhagen to face Denmark on Sunday before returning to Cardiff for games against Norway and Denmark on 1 and 4 October.
Finish in the top two and Wales advance to the Nations League quarter-finals.
Finish third and there is a relegation play-off.
Finish bottom and it is straight back to League B.
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Portugal begin another new era
Portugal arrive as defending Nations League champions, having beaten Spain on penalties in the 2025 final to become the first country to win the competition twice.
But Thursday also marks the beginning of another chapter.
Following Portugal’s exit from the 2026 World Cup and Roberto Martínez’s subsequent departure, Jorge Jesus has taken over as national coach.
The vastly experienced former Benfica and Flamengo manager will therefore make his Portugal debut against Wales.
And his first squad still contains a very familiar name.
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Cristiano Ronaldo – still going at 41
Cristiano Ronaldo has been included in Jorge Jesus’ first squad and, remarkably, remains part of Portugal’s plans at 41 years of age.
He already holds the world records for men’s international appearances and goals and remains surrounded by a formidable collection of talent.
Rúben Dias, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Vitinha, João Neves, Nuno Mendes, Rafael Leão and João Félix are among the names available to the new Portugal coach.
UEFA has singled out Ronaldo and Paris Saint-Germain full-back Nuno Mendes, named Player of the Finals when Portugal won the Nations League in 2025, among the players to watch.
For Wales, stopping Ronaldo is hardly an unfamiliar problem.
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Remember Lyon?
The only previous competitive meeting between Wales and Portugal remains one Welsh supporters will never forget.
On 6 July, 2016, Chris Coleman’s side walked out in Lyon for a EURO 2016 semi-final after an extraordinary journey through the tournament.
Portugal won 2–0.
Ronaldo opened the scoring with a towering header before setting up Nani for the second, ending the greatest Welsh football adventure in generations. Portugal went on to beat France in the final and become European champions.
A decade later, Ronaldo is still there.
Wales, of course, are very different.
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Who is missing for Wales?
Bellamy has encountered some significant problems before the trip.
Defenders Joe Rodon and Dylan Lawlor were already ruled out when the original squad was announced. Wales then suffered a further triple blow when Harry Wilson, Nathan Broadhead and goalkeeper Karl Darlow withdrew through injury.
Charlie Savage, Leicester City goalkeeper David Cornell and Huddersfield Town forward Joe Taylor were subsequently called into the squad, with Cornell and Taylor hoping to make their senior Wales debuts.
Wilson’s absence is particularly significant given his influence during Bellamy’s reign.
But there are also some intriguing possibilities.
Jordan James and Ben Cabango are back, while Cian Ashford has received his first senior call-up after impressing with Cardiff City.
And there is a lovely little subplot.
Ashford celebrates his 22nd birthday on the day Wales face Portugal.
Making your senior international debut against Cristiano Ronaldo and the European Nations League champions would be quite a birthday present.
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Can Wales get a result in Lisbon?
Portugal will naturally begin as formidable opponents.
They are defending champions, playing at home, and possess one of the deepest squads in European football.
But Bellamy’s Wales have already demonstrated something important: they are increasingly difficult to beat.
Promotion was achieved without losing a single match, and the return to League A was exactly the sort of challenge Bellamy wanted for his developing side.
Nobody will pretend Lisbon is easy.
But Wales have spent much of their modern football history being told what they are not supposed to achieve.
EURO 2016 taught us that much.
Perhaps Thursday night will tell us a little more about just how far this latest Welsh team has travelled.
Portugal have Ronaldo.
Wales have the Red Wall, a new generation, and absolutely nothing to lose.
League A starts here.
Did Ewe Know?
The Estádio José Alvalade has its own remarkable Cristiano Ronaldo connection. When the present stadium opened in August 2003, an 18-year-old Ronaldo starred for Sporting against Manchester United in a 3–1 victory. His performance impressed the United players so much that, within days, he was on his way to Old Trafford.
More than 23 years later, Ronaldo returns to the same stadium preparing to face Wales as Portugal captain.