The United States Soccer Federation and the Portuguese Football Federation are finalising confirmation of a marquee friendly in March 2026.
The match, set for Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, is agreed in principle and awaits public announcement. Both teams will be thrilled to face off in one of the stadiums set to host a semi-final in the 2026 World Cup.
Portugal’s thumping 9-1 win over Armenia secured their automatic World Cup qualification, removing the final obstacle to confirming the fixture, with sources saying the deal is complete, as both sides are only delaying confirmation until the appropriate window.
Portugal return to the U.S. stage after 12 years
The significance of the fixture extends beyond competitive preparation, as it is expected to mark Cristiano Ronaldo’s first appearance in the United States since 2014, having last featured on American soil for Real Madrid in front of over 109,000 fans in Michigan.
Ronaldo has intentionally avoided the U.S. since 2017 after Der Spiegel published allegations relating to a 2009 incident in Las Vegas, claims he has consistently denied, and for which no charges were brought.
Despite this, the forward has remained part of wider diplomatic efforts, including a gesture last year in which European Council president Antonio Costa gifted President Trump a Portugal shirt signed by Ronaldo during a G7 summit.
A crucial test for Pochettino’s 2026 World Cup preparations
For Mauricio Pochettino and the USMNT, the Portugal fixture, alongside a planned friendly against Belgium, represents their toughest test ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The U.S. have faced Ecuador, Paraguay, Japan, South Korea and Australia in recent months, and these matches have provided useful insight, but challenges from top European nations are viewed as the truest gauge of progress, and Portugal falls into that category.
Both friendlies are expected to form central pillars of Pochettino’s squad-building strategy as the U.S. prepare to host a home World Cup, where expectations will be significantly higher than in previous cycles.
FGG Says
This is a fixture with layers of sporting, commercial and political significance. For the USMNT, facing a full-strength Portugal side, potentially with Ronaldo included, is exactly the kind of challenge needed before a home World Cup. It tests their tactical maturity and exposes weaknesses early enough to correct them.
From Portugal’s side, it marks a long-awaited return to a major American venue and opens a window for renewed commercial growth in the U.S. market. If Ronaldo plays, the atmosphere in Atlanta will be unlike anything the USMNT have experienced in years.