Overview

• The Portuguese Football Federation, in consultation with PSG, ruled João Neves unfit due to a left‑thigh injury and withdrew him from the October squad.
• Head coach Roberto Martinez called up Lazio full‑back Nuno Tavares as Neves’ replacement.
• Portugal host the Republic of Ireland on October 11 and then play Hungary on October 14, with two victories potentially securing early qualification.
• Cristiano Ronaldo received a Special Recognition/Globe Prestige award at the Portugal Football Globes and said he used the AI tool Perplexity to help prepare his speech.
• Ronaldo said his family have urged him to stop but he intends to continue, remains under contract at Al Nassr until June 2027, and is joint‑top scorer in World Cup qualifying with 39 goals.