World Cup 2026: Portugal wants to honor Diogo Jota with world title
Portugal dedicates the 2026 World Cup to Diogo Jota. A year after his tragic death, his memory is a driving force for Roberto Martínez's selection towards the knockout stages.
Portugal will play the 2026 World Cup with one clear motivation: to honor the memory of Diogo Jota. A year after his tragic death in a car accident, Roberto Martínez's team wants to dedicate the world title to him. On the threshold of the knockout phase, with a tense match against Croatia in Toronto in prospect, that message sounds loud and clear from the Portuguese camp.
Rúben Neves, teammate and good friend of Jota at Porto, Wolves and the national team, will wear shirt number 21 this tournament. He said on Portuguese television that he still has a WhatsApp group with Jota's wife Rute Cardoso. "We still talk there. Whenever something special happens, I send him a message."
Jota, then a Liverpool player, died in a car accident in Spain on July 3, 2025, eleven days after his wedding to his partner Rute. His brother, Andre Silva, also died in the accident. The Lamborghini in which Jota was driving left the road after a tire blowout during an overtaking maneuver. Jota traveled back to England by land and ferry for the preparation, because doctors had advised him against flying after a minor procedure. Two months earlier he celebrated the Premier League championship.
National coach Roberto Martínez called Jota an 'honorary player' when announcing the selection and does not spare the big words. "Diogo is our sun and our light. We want to win the World Cup for him." Jota's presence can be felt everywhere at this tournament. From Houston to Miami, a black-and-white photo of Jota cheering appeared on the big screens during the national anthem before every game.
The expressions of support also come from higher up. The selection wears special wristbands in the Portuguese colors, a gift from Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. The tapes contain the names of all selection members and that of Jota. Midfielder Vitinha explained that the bands were specially made to actually wear on the field. In Houston, at the opening match against DR Congo on June 17, Jota's parents Joaquim and Isabel were present; visibly emotional during the tribute to their sons.
Jota was considered a symbol of hope in his own country. From his birthplace Gondomar, he worked his way through Paços de Ferreira to the European top with Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool. He was a rare exception: a Portuguese star who did not go through the classic youth training at the 'big three' academies. He scored 14 goals in 49 international matches for Portugal.
The loss has deeply affected the national team. Neves helped carry Jota's coffin at the funeral in Gondomar on July 5, 2025, just hours after playing with Al Hilal at the Club World Cup in the United States. He had a tattoo of an embrace with Jota, wearing the Portugal shirt with 'Diogo J' and number 21. “Me and the whole team are doing everything we can to keep Diogo with us,” said Neves. "The day after the news was the most difficult of my life. For me the most important reason to play was: for Diogo."
The support is also heard outside the stadium. “Diogo was deeply loved by the Portuguese people,” says Miguel de Silva, Portuguese-Canadian owner of Amigos da Dundas sports bar in Toronto's Little Portugal. “It gives the players that little bit extra. Another reason to like itCroatia to win.” Shirts with Jota's name have already appeared in the streets and sections of Portugal fans.
From a sporting point of view, Portugal did not yet get out of the starting blocks in the group stage; only one of the three group matches was won. Nevertheless, the 2016 European champion can secure a place in the round of 16 if they win against Croatia, with Spain or Austria as a possible opponent in the next round. Martínez summarizes the charge of the moment: “Diogo's dream is still with us, he sets the standard and shows the way. The anniversary of his death makes this match against Croatia Diogo Jota's match. Diogo will always be with us.”
Shortly before his death, Jota himself shared a message after winning the Nations League in Stuttgart, when Portugal defeated Spain: “With you by our side, anything is possible. Thank you, Portugal!” Those words now guide an emotional Portuguese mission at the 2026 World Cup.
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