When and where is Portugal vs Wales 2026?
Portugal vs Wales takes place on Thursday 24 September 2026, with kick-off at 7:45pm local time (also 7:45pm UK time, since Portugal and the UK share the same clocks in September), at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon — home of Sporting Lisbon, with a capacity of around 52,000. It's Wales' opening fixture of the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League, and their first meeting with Portugal since the unforgettable Euro 2016 semi-final, when Portugal won 2-0 on their way to lifting the trophy.
The return fixture, Wales vs Portugal, is scheduled for Tuesday 17 November 2026 at Cardiff City Stadium, closing out the group phase in front of a home crowd.
| Fixture | Date | Kick-off | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal vs Wales | Thursday 24 September 2026 | 7:45pm local / UK time | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon |
| Wales vs Portugal | Tuesday 17 November 2026 | Confirmed closer to matchday | Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff |
Why this fixture matters: Euro 2016 revisited, and maybe Ronaldo's farewell
For a generation of Welsh fans, Portugal means one thing: Lisbon 2016 — well, technically Lyon — but the story is the same one. Wales' fairytale run to the Euro 2016 semi-final, the best tournament finish in the nation's history, ended there against a Portugal side inspired by Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani, who won 2-0 on their way to lifting the trophy. Ten years on, this Nations League opener in Lisbon is Wales' first competitive shot at revenge — against a Portugal side that arrives as reigning Nations League champions, fresh off beating Spain in the Munich final.
There's an extra layer of intrigue too: reports following Portugal's exit from the 2026 World Cup have suggested this Wales fixture in Lisbon could be Cristiano Ronaldo's final appearance for the Portuguese national team, with his club future at Al Nassr continuing but his international career potentially ending at the Estádio José Alvalade. Nothing has been officially confirmed by Ronaldo or new Portugal manager Jorge Jesus, but if the reports hold, Welsh supporters travelling to Lisbon could be witnessing history in more ways than one.
Add in Denmark and Norway — the latter fresh off Erling Haaland's dominant World Cup qualifying form — and Wales have arguably the most demanding group of any home nation in this Nations League campaign. Every fixture matters for a Wales side looking to prove their League A promotion wasn't a one-off.
Full Wales Nations League fixtures 2026
Cymru play six group-phase matches in League A, Group 4, across three international windows, home and away against Portugal, Denmark and Norway.
| Matchday | Fixture | Date | Kick-off (UK time) | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portugal vs Wales (A) | Thu 24 Sep 2026 | 7:45pm | Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon |
| 2 | Denmark vs Wales (A) | Sun 27 Sep 2026 | 5:00pm | Parken Stadium, Copenhagen |
| 3 | Wales vs Norway (H) | Thu 1 Oct 2026 | 7:45pm | Cardiff City Stadium |
| 4 | Wales vs Denmark (H) | Sun 4 Oct 2026 | 7:45pm | Cardiff City Stadium |
| 5 | Norway vs Wales (A) | Sat 14 Nov 2026 | 5:00pm | Ullevaal Stadium, Oslo |
| 6 | Wales vs Portugal (H) | Tue 17 Nov 2026 | TBC | Cardiff City Stadium |
Kick-off times for away fixtures are shown in UK time based on each country's local time zone; always double-check against the official FAW schedule closer to matchday, particularly around the late-October clock change. Group winners and runners-up advance to the quarter-finals in March 2027, with the four-team finals in June 2027.
For the full tournament overview and every group's fixtures in one place, visit our UEFA Nations League 2026 hub.
Wales Nations League tickets 2026: how to get them
With a Euro 2016 rematch, a possible Ronaldo farewell, and a genuinely tough League A group on the line, demand for Wales' Nations League tickets — home and away — is expected to be high across the whole campaign.
- Portugal vs Wales tickets (Lisbon): Wales' away allocation is distributed through the FAW and the Wales Supporters Club, with priority typically given to club members ahead of any wider sale. Check faw.cymru for the latest confirmed details before booking flights or hotels.
- Wales vs Portugal tickets (Cardiff): home tickets for the 17 November fixture at Cardiff City Stadium go on sale through the official FAW ticketing system, again with Wales Supporters Club members typically prioritised.
- Away tickets in Copenhagen and Oslo: allocations for the Denmark and Norway away fixtures are similarly distributed through the FAW's official away travel and ticketing process.
- Buy only through official channels: for a fixture of this profile, unofficial resale sites carry real risk of invalid or heavily inflated tickets — always use official FAW or federation channels.
Ticket sale dates are confirmed by the FAW in the weeks leading up to each fixture — check our UEFA Nations League 2026 hub for updates, and start planning flights and accommodation now, since hotels near the Estádio José Alvalade and Cardiff City Stadium tend to sell out well before tickets are even released.
Wales squad: key players to watch
Wales' Nations League squad for September will be confirmed closer to the fixture, but these are the players most likely to be central to Craig Bellamy's plans against Portugal.
| Player | Position | Why watch him |
|---|---|---|
| Brennan Johnson | Forward | Wales' pace and cutting edge on the counter-attack, a regular Premier League starter. |
| Daniel James | Winger | Direct running and end product from wide areas; a long-standing Wales regular. |
| Ethan Ampadu | Midfielder/Defender | Wales captain material and tactical anchor across midfield or defence. |
| David Brooks | Midfielder | Creative influence and set-piece delivery in the final third. |
| Neco Williams | Defender | Attacking full-back who offers width and delivery from deep. |
Squads are officially confirmed closer to each international window — check back nearer matchday for the final squad list.
Portugal squad: key players to watch
Portugal arrive as defending Nations League champions under new manager Jorge Jesus, who replaced Roberto Martinez following Portugal's Round of 16 exit from the 2026 World Cup.
| Player | Position | Why watch him |
|---|---|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo | Forward | Portugal's all-time leading scorer; this fixture is reportedly being discussed as a potential final international farewell. |
| Bruno Fernandes | Midfielder | Creative hub and captaincy candidate, central to Portugal's build-up play. |
| Rafael Leão | Forward/Winger | Explosive pace and dribbling ability from wide areas. |
| Nuno Mendes | Defender | One of Europe's most complete attacking full-backs. |
| João Neves | Midfielder | Composed, press-resistant midfielder central to Portugal's control of games. |
Squads for both teams will be officially confirmed closer to the September international window — check back for updates nearer the match.
Wales vs Portugal: head-to-head & group context
| Factor | Wales | Portugal |
|---|---|---|
| Last competitive meeting | Lost 2016 Euro semi-final 2-0 | Won 2016 Euro semi-final 2-0, went on to win the tournament |
| Current status | Promoted to League A after topping League B | Reigning UEFA Nations League champions |
| Manager | Craig Bellamy | Jorge Jesus |
| Home venue capacity | Cardiff City Stadium — approx. 33,000 | Estádio José Alvalade (this fixture) — approx. 52,000 |
Wales Nations League: where to watch, TV channel & live stream
Wales' UEFA Nations League fixtures are typically shown live on a mix of UK broadcasters, with S4C traditionally carrying a strong Welsh-language commitment to Cymru fixtures alongside wider UK sports broadcasters — the confirmed channel for each match is announced closer to matchday. Live streaming is usually available through the relevant broadcaster's app alongside their TV coverage.
Travelling to Lisbon and want to soak up the pre-match atmosphere? The area around Campo Grande, close to the Estádio José Alvalade, has a strong concentration of bars that get busy on matchday — worth arriving with plenty of time to find a spot before kick-off.
Hotels near Portugal vs Wales: where to stay in Lisbon
Estádio José Alvalade sits in northern Lisbon, close to the Campo Grande district, giving travelling Wales fans two practical options.
- Stay near the stadium: hotels around Campo Grande and Cidade Universitária put you within easy walking distance or a short metro ride of the ground.
- Stay in central Lisbon: the Baixa, Chiado and Avenida areas offer far more choice for bars, restaurants and nightlife, with the metro connecting to the stadium (Campo Grande station) in around 15-20 minutes.
- Book early: given the profile of this fixture, hotel rooms close to the stadium and in central Lisbon are likely to sell out well ahead of matchday — book as soon as your travel dates are confirmed.
For the Cardiff return fixture on 17 November, Cardiff city centre is a compact, easily walkable base, with Cardiff City Stadium roughly a 20-30 minute walk or a short taxi ride from the main hotel districts around Cardiff Central station.
Wales football travel 2026: getting to every venue
Following Cymru through this group means potentially travelling to four different countries. Here's what to know for each leg.
- Flights to Lisbon for Wales vs Portugal: Lisbon is served directly from Cardiff, London, Manchester, Bristol and several other UK airports, with flight times of around 2.5 hours — a genuinely practical trip even as a long weekend from Wales.
- Flights to Copenhagen for the Denmark away leg: direct flights from UK airports take around 2 hours, making the 27 September fixture a realistic short trip after the Lisbon match just three days earlier.
- Flights to Oslo for the Norway away leg: Oslo is around 2 hours from most UK airports, with direct routes making a November weekend trip straightforward to plan.
- Travelling to Cardiff City Stadium: the ground is a short walk from Cardiff Central train station, which is well connected to the rest of the UK rail network, making the home fixtures against Norway, Denmark and Portugal easy to reach without flying.
- Book early for a packed autumn: with four away fixtures and two home games across three international windows, flights and hotels for the busiest dates — particularly Lisbon and Cardiff for the Portugal games — are likely to rise in price as the fixtures approach.
Compare flights and start planning your trip to any of Wales' Nations League fixtures on our UEFA Nations League 2026 event hub, where you'll find live fare comparisons and the latest travel updates as ticket and broadcast details are confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
When is Portugal vs Wales 2026?
Portugal host Wales on Thursday 24 September 2026, with kick-off at 7:45pm local time (7:45pm UK time), at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon. It's the opening match of Wales' 2026/27 UEFA Nations League campaign.
Where is Portugal vs Wales being played?
The match is played at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, home of Sporting Lisbon, with a capacity of around 52,000.
What are Wales' full Nations League fixtures for 2026?
Wales play Portugal away on 24 September, Denmark away on 27 September, Norway at home on 1 October, Denmark at home on 4 October, Norway away on 14 November, and finish with Portugal at home on 17 November.
Who are Wales playing in the 2026/27 Nations League group?
Wales are in League A, Group 4, alongside Portugal, Denmark and Norway, having been promoted back to League A after topping League B in the previous campaign.
How can I get Portugal vs Wales tickets?
Away tickets for Wales supporters are typically allocated through the FAW (Football Association of Wales) and the Wales Supporters Club ahead of any general sale by the Portuguese federation. Always check faw.cymru for official ticket information before booking travel.
How do I get Wales vs Portugal tickets for the Cardiff match?
Tickets for Wales' home fixtures at Cardiff City Stadium, including the return match against Portugal on 17 November, are sold through the official FAW ticketing system, with priority access typically given to Wales Supporters Club members.
Is this Wales' first game against Portugal since Euro 2016?
Yes. Wales' last competitive meeting with Portugal was the Euro 2016 semi-final, which Portugal won 2-0 on their way to winning the tournament. This is the first time the two sides have met since that famous Wales run.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo play against Wales?
Reports have suggested the Portugal vs Wales fixture in Lisbon could be Cristiano Ronaldo's final appearance for the Portuguese national team following his exit from the 2026 World Cup, though this has not been officially confirmed by Ronaldo or the Portuguese federation.
What TV channel is Wales vs Portugal on in the UK?
Wales' Nations League matches are typically shown live on S4C and/or a UK sports broadcaster, with the specific channel for each fixture confirmed closer to matchday.
Can I live stream Wales' Nations League games in the UK?
Yes, Wales fixtures are generally available to stream via the broadcaster holding UK rights for that match, alongside their standard TV coverage.
Is Portugal the reigning Nations League champion?
Yes. Portugal won the previous UEFA Nations League final, beating Spain in Munich, and enter this campaign as defending champions.
How did Wales qualify for League A?
Wales earned promotion to League A by topping their League B group in the previous UEFA Nations League campaign under manager Craig Bellamy, setting up this tough group against Portugal, Denmark and Norway.
What are Wales' away games in the Nations League?
Wales play three away group games: Portugal in Lisbon on 24 September, Denmark in Copenhagen on 27 September, and Norway in Oslo on 14 November.
How do I get flights from the UK to Portugal for the football?
Lisbon is served directly from most major UK airports, including London, Cardiff, Manchester and Bristol, with flight times of around 2.5 hours, making it a practical short trip for Wales supporters travelling to the Estádio José Alvalade.
Are there hotels near the Portugal vs Wales stadium?
Estádio José Alvalade sits in northern Lisbon, close to the Campo Grande metro area, with a range of hotels nearby and a wider choice across central Lisbon connected by metro in around 15-20 minutes.
What is the capacity of Cardiff City Stadium?
Cardiff City Stadium, where Wales play their home Nations League fixtures against Norway, Denmark and Portugal, holds approximately 33,000 spectators.
How can I travel to Wales' away games in Copenhagen and Oslo?
Both Copenhagen and Oslo are well connected from UK airports with direct flights of around 2 hours, making short away-day or weekend trips practical for travelling Wales supporters.
Who is the Wales national team manager?
Craig Bellamy is the Wales men's national team manager, having led the side to promotion back into League A of the Nations League.
What happens if Wales finish in the top two of the group?
The top two teams from each League A group advance to the Nations League quarter-finals in March 2027, with the semi-finals and final played in June 2027 to determine the overall winner.
Do I need a visa to travel to Portugal for the match?
British passport holders visiting Portugal for tourism, including for a football match, can stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. Always check the latest UK Government travel advice for Portugal before booking.