Introduction
When Portugal and France share a pitch, global attention follows – from Cristiano Ronaldo’s evergreen brilliance to Kylian Mbappé’s game-breaking pace. Below you’ll find everything you need to know about Portugal vs France lineups, including the Portugal starting XI vs France, the France starting XI vs Portugal, key absentees and tactical shapes. The guide is crafted for search intent, so you’ll also spot long-tail phrases such as Portugal France predicted lineup, Ronaldo vs Mbappé lineup and more.
Portugal vs France Team News
| Side | Key doubts / absentees | Latest status |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal | Bruno Fernandes (ankle knock), João Cancelo (tournament-ending injury) | Fernandes trained lightly on Thursday and is rated 60-40 to start; Cancelo is ruled out. theplayoffs.news |
| France | Ousmane Dembélé & Bradley Barcola (withdrawn), Clément Lenglet (hip) | Deschamps confirmed all three will miss the match, opening minutes for Michael Olise or Rayan Cherki. theplayoffs.news |
Portugal Starting XI vs France (Predicted 4-3-3)
aka Portugal France probable lineup
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Diogo Costa |
| RB | Nélson Semedo |
| CB | Rúben Dias (c) |
| CB | Gonçalo Inácio |
| LB | Nuno Mendes |
| CM | Vitinha |
| CM | João Neves |
| CAM | Bruno Fernandes or Bernardo Silva if unfit |
| RW | Francisco Conceição |
| ST | Cristiano Ronaldo |
| LW | Rafael Leão |
(Selections mirror Roberto Martínez’s Nations League final XI, tweaked for Fernandes’ fitness.) theplayoffs.news
France Starting XI vs Portugal (Predicted 4-3-3)
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Mike Maignan |
| RB | Jules Koundé |
| CB | Ibrahima Konaté |
| CB | Lucas Hernandez |
| LB | Theo Hernandez |
| DM | Aurélien Tchouaméni |
| CM | Adrien Rabiot |
| CM | Antoine Griezmann |
| RW | Michael Olise |
| ST | Kylian Mbappé (c) |
| LW | Randal Kolo Muani |
(Framework taken from France’s Nations League semifinal blueprint, adjusted for Dembele’s withdrawal.) si.com
Tactical Formations & Key Battles
- Portugal vs France formation: Expect mirror 4-3-3s. Vitinha and João Neves will try to pin Griezmann deeper, while France’s double-Hernandez left flank aims to overload Semedo.
- Ronaldo vs Mbappé lineup factor: Ronaldo’s penalty-box gravity forces France’s back line to sit deeper, giving Mbappé room to counter into spaces left by Portugal’s high full-backs.
- Midfield engine: Tchouaméni’s screening of Bruno Fernandes could decide whether Portugal create between the lines or are forced wide.
- Set pieces: With Cancelo absent, Bruno Fernandes (if fit) or Vitinha will handle corners; France rely on Griezmann’s outswingers toward Konaté.
Portugal France Injury Update (Quick-fire)
- Portugal: Only Cancelo definitely out; Fernandes 60-40. theplayoffs.news
- France: Dembele, Barcola, Lenglet sidelined; Camavinga still rehabbing; Saliba & Upamecano short of match fitness. theplayoffs.newssi.com
Portugal vs France Euro-World Cup Context
The two nations have crossed swords in consecutive Euros and Nations League campaigns since 2020. Their most famous recent knockout duel was Euro 2024’s tight quarter-final in Hamburg – France edged it 1-0. 90min.com Another instalment here will shape momentum heading into the 2026 World Cup cycle.
Match Preview & Prediction
Portugal France match preview headline: expect a chess match, not a shootout. Martinez’s men average just 0.8 xGA over their last six competitive fixtures, while Deschamps’ side conceded a single open-play goal across the Nations League finals. Margins are thin.
Prediction: Portugal 1-1 France (France win after extra-time).
