On Saturday, Cristiano Ronaldo was spotted soaking up the sun on the shores of Palm Beach, Florida, just days before Portugal kicks off its campaign in the 2026 World Cup.
A video shared by the Instagram account @onlyindade features an athletic man, shirtless, sporting black shorts and sunglasses, strolling along the beach and taking a dip in the ocean.
The post, captioned "Cristiano Ronaldo enjoying Florida's sunshine today," swiftly garnered over 51,000 likes. Despite the challenges posed by the distance and low resolution of the images, many media outlets and fans identified the man as the Portuguese star.
Ronaldo's presence in South Florida is no coincidence; the Portuguese national team arrived the same day in Palm Beach to set up their training camp for the tournament. With only a few days remaining, the team is making final preparations before their World Cup debut.
Portugal's first match is on June 17 against the Democratic Republic of Congo at Houston's NRG Stadium, marking the opening game of Group K. They will then face Uzbekistan on June 23, also in Houston, before concluding the group stage against Colombia on June 27 at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, a clash that could determine the group's top spot.
This final match holds particular significance for South Florida's community, with local fans eagerly anticipating the clash between two popular teams.
For Ronaldo, the 2026 World Cup is especially poignant; he announced in November 2025 that this would be his last tournament with the Portuguese squad. At 41 years old, the Al-Nassr forward is playing in his sixth World Cup, equaling the record shared with Lionel Messi and Guillermo Ochoa.
Ronaldo is already the only player to have scored in five different World Cups, from Germany 2006 to Qatar 2022. Adding another goal in this edition would extend his streak to six consecutive tournaments, a feat unlikely to be matched.
The 2026 World Cup, hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19, is historic for featuring eight players aged 40 or older, including Ronaldo, Luka Modric, and Guillermo Ochoa.
Miami will host a total of seven matches at the Hard Rock Stadium, including knockout rounds and the third-place playoff, making South Florida a central hub for the world's largest sporting event.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cristiano Ronaldo and the 2026 World Cup
When is Portugal's first match in the 2026 World Cup?
Portugal's first match in the 2026 World Cup is on June 17 against the Democratic Republic of Congo at Houston's NRG Stadium.
How many World Cups has Cristiano Ronaldo participated in?
Cristiano Ronaldo is participating in his sixth World Cup in 2026, matching a record also held by Lionel Messi and Guillermo Ochoa.
Which stadium will host the most matches during the 2026 World Cup in Miami?
The Hard Rock Stadium in Miami will host a total of seven matches during the 2026 World Cup, including knockout stages and the third-place playoff.