FIFA Ranking: 4 (Last Updated 05 Jun 2014)
History: Portugal are heading to their sixth World Cup. They came third on their debut campaign in 1966 and were also one of the semi-finalists in 2006, losing to France. In the 2010 edition in South Africa, they lost to the eventual champions Spain in the last 16.
Qualifying report: They progressed via the play-offs for the second successive time in World Cups. Ronaldo`s hat-trick against Sweden was the main highlight for Paulo Bento`s side in seeking the final passage. They had only lost to Russia in their group but finished second after drawing with Northern Ireland and Israel.
Star Players: Cristiano Ronaldo, the 2013-14 Ballon d`Or winner, is regarded as the world`s best player alongside Lionel Messi. The Portuguese leads the European Golden Shoe award race and was instrumental in Real Madrid`s tenth Champions League win. He is he reason, Portugal are playing in the Brazil World Cup. He single-handedly beat Sweden in the play-offs, scoring all four goals.
Helder Postiga is one of Portugal`s star players and Paulo Bento has immense faith in the striker. He plays for Spanish side Valencia. Postiga is a natural striker and scored four goals in Portugal`s World Cup qualifiers. In the Euro 2012, he missed out on the remaining matches after scoring in the opening game. Postiga has represented the country in two World Cups and three European Championships.
Top Scorer WC Qualification 2014: Cristiano Ronaldo (8)
Top scorer at the Cup: Eusebio (9)
Most World Cup caps: Simao (11)
Team record at the Cup: M: 23, W: 12, D: 3, L: 8
Coach: Paulo Bento - He was banned for six months after he manhandled officials during their controversial Euro 2000 semi-final with France but since then, he has matured into a top-class coach. Capped 35 times, the former Portugal mid-fielder has the respect of his players and his greatest triumph has arguably been getting Cristiano Ronaldo to replicate the extraordinary club form on the international stage. He recently had his contract extended to the end of Euro 2016.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Beto (Sevilla), Eduardo (Braga), Rui Patrício (Sporting)
Defenders: Andre Almeida (Benfica), Bruno Alves (Fenerbahce), Fabio Coentrao (Real Madrid), Joao Pereira (Valencia), Neto (Zenit St Petersburg), Pepe (Real Madrid), Ricardo Costa (Valencia)
Midfielders: Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Miguel Veloso (Dynamo Kiev), Raul Meireles (Fenerbahce), Ruben Amorim (Benfica), William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon), Rafa (Braga)
Forwards: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Eder (Braga), Helder Postiga (Lazio), Hugo Almeida (Besiktas), Nani (Manchester United), Varela (FC Porto), Vieirinha (Wolfsburg)
Group listing: Group G, along with Germany, Ghana and USA.
Fixtures:
June 16: Germany v Portugal, Salvador
June 22: United States v Portugal, Manaus
June 26: Portugal v Ghana, Brasilia