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By Martin Graham
The finalized World Cup calendar has confirmed the cities and stadiums the place all 48 contributors will compete, and Portugal has rapidly change into one of many important speaking factors. With Cristiano Ronaldo nearing what many assume will probably be his final look on the worldwide stage, the workforce’s itinerary has attracted appreciable curiosity.
A serious revelation from FIFA’s announcement is the sudden inclusion of Miami amongst Portugal’s host cities. The selection stunned many observers, significantly as a result of widespread assumptions instructed that Argentina and Lionel Messi would characteristic there. As an alternative, Portugal would be the workforce showcased in South Florida, including an sudden twist to the match narrative.
Miami and Houston chosen as Portugal’s bases
Portugal’s standout fixture in Florida would be the conflict towards Colombia on Saturday, 27 June, set for Laborious Rock Stadium. The venue, which has staged main events lately—together with the Membership World Cup and the Copa America closing—will now host one of the vital anticipated group-stage encounters.
Along with Miami, Houston has been assigned as Portugal’s different residence base. The workforce will transfer solely between these two cities in the course of the preliminary part of the competitors, giving the squad a comparatively secure journey schedule. This setup ensures that Ronaldo and his teammates can stay centered with out dealing with long-distance relocations between matches.
Ronaldo’s group-stage journey
Cristiano Ronaldo is scheduled to start his World Cup marketing campaign on Wednesday, 17 June. Portugal’s opening match will probably be towards the winner of the intercontinental qualifying playoff, a contest involving Jamaica, Congo, and New Caledonia.
The second problem arrives at NRG Stadium, the place Portugal will face Uzbekistan on Tuesday, 23 June. After that, the squad will head to Miami for his or her final group-stage match, closing out the opening spherical in entrance of a extremely anticipated worldwide crowd wanting to witness certainly one of soccer’s most iconic figures.
