Portugal face the Democratic Republic of Congo at the World Cup 2026 on Wednesday but their pre-match preparations were thrown into disarray
Portugal’s pre-match preparations for their World Cup opener were thrown into disarray after a planned beach training session near their Palm Beach base was abandoned amid security concerns. Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates had been using the Four Seasons resort as their headquarters and had hoped to make use of a private stretch of beach during some downtime, before being forced to alter their plans. According to reports from the Portuguese press, the players attracted a fair bit of attention upon heading towards the private beach. With fans gathered at public bathing area a stone’s throw away, security personnel intervened amid fears that the squad could be disturbed.
Portuguese outlet A Bola reports that security officials urged the players to retreat to their hotel, with coaching staff subsequently holding the training session in the pool area rather than out on the sand. There were said to be concerns that it would prove impossible to establish a secure ‘bubble’ around the public beach, which – much like the private section – opens out onto the Atlantic Ocean.
The same publication cited a Portugal supporter based in Florida who had been hopeful of catching a glimpse of the national team’s stars up close. The fan claimed he spotted Ronaldo before the veteran, along with several teammates, eventually turned back and headed inside. Not everyone heeded the advice, however. A handful of players, among them Chelsea’s Pedro Neto and Manchester City defender Ruben Dias, are said to have enjoyed a brief dip in the sea before ultimately making their way back inside.
Portugal launch their World Cup campaign against the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday at 6pm UK time. Uzbekistan and Colombia are the other sides in their group, with a third-placed side awaiting in the round of 32 for whoever claims top spot.
The Selecao topped their qualifying group, thrashing Armenia 9-1 to secure their place at the finals. Talisman Ronaldo missed that game after receiving a red card in their penultimate qualifier but avoided a suspension for the tournament itself after FIFA intervened.
“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has imposed a three-match ban on Cristiano Ronaldo following his direct red card at the FIFA World Cup 2026 preliminary competition match between the Republic of Ireland and Portugal played in Dublin on 13 November 2025,” a FIFA statement read. “The first of the three matches was served in the encounter Portugal vs Armenia played on 16 November 2025.
“In line with article 27 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code, the serving of the two remaining matches has been suspended under a one-year probation period. If Cristiano Ronaldo commits another infringement of a similar nature and gravity during the probationary period, the suspension set out in the disciplinary decision shall be deemed automatically revoked and the remaining two matches must be served immediately at the next official match(es) of the Portuguese representative team.
“This is without prejudice to any additional sanctions imposed for the new infringement. The three-match suspension is subject to appeal to the FIFA Appeal Committee.”
