Key facts
- Portugal is considered a favorite to win the World Cup.
- Midfielder Vitinha emphasized focusing on the present moment and taking it game by game.
Portugal's national football team is preparing for the World Cup, acknowledging high expectations while focusing on each game. Players received bracelets honoring the late Diogo Jota, who was included as an honorary team member.
The Portuguese team's mindset and preparation are crucial as they aim to win their first World Cup, with the memory of a fallen teammate adding emotional weight to their campaign.
Portugal's national football team is aware of the significant expectations placed upon them as they enter the World Cup as one of the favorites to win the expanded 48-team tournament. Midfielder Vitinha stated that the team is focusing on the present and taking a game-by-game approach, rather than succumbing to the pressure of winning the trophy.
Ahead of their first training session in the United States, the team received a heartfelt gesture from Portugal's Prime Minister. Each player was gifted a bracelet bearing their name and the name of the late Diogo Jota, a regular on the squad who was tragically killed in a car crash last July. Coach Roberto Martínez also included Jota as an honorary team member for the tournament.
The squad arrived in Florida and began preparations, with fans present to cheer them on. Temperatures in Palm Beach were in the upper 80s Fahrenheit, raising concerns about the impact of extreme heat across the tournament's host cities. Vitinha acknowledged the weather's effect on play but stressed that it is a challenge for all teams, emphasizing that there are no excuses at a World Cup.
Players were seen hydrating during training, and Vitinha noted the importance of using the conditions to mentally reset, suggesting they had also spent time at the beach to unwind.