Cristiano Ronaldo Will Live in Mexico During the 2026 World Cup With Portugal

The Portugal national team has decided to base itself in Mexico during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, even though it will not play any group-stage matches on Mexican soil. The move is part of a strategic logistical and sporting plan aimed at maximizing recovery, privacy, and travel efficiency.

Although Cristiano Ronaldo will not take the field in Mexico during the tournament, he is expected to spend several weeks in the country as part of Portugal’s training camp, keeping global attention firmly focused on the region.

The Portuguese Football Federation has already confirmed its team hotel for the World Cup: the Fairmont Mayakoba in the Riviera Maya. The luxury resort will serve as Portugal’s main headquarters for training sessions, physical recovery, and rest throughout the group stage.

The choice was based on the resort’s elite facilities, high level of privacy, and infrastructure capable of supporting a national team during a tournament of this magnitude. Another key factor was geographical proximity to the United States. Flights from the Riviera Maya to Houston and Miami take roughly two hours, allowing Portugal to minimize travel fatigue.

Portugal was drawn into Group K and will open its World Cup campaign in Houston against the winner of the playoff between Jamaica, New Caledonia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Its second match will also be in Houston against Uzbekistan, before closing the group stage in Miami versus Colombia. After each match, the squad is expected to return immediately to Mexico to continue its preparations.

The decision reinforces Mexico’s role as a strategic hub for the 2026 World Cup, not only as a host of matches, but also as a preferred base for national teams prioritizing logistics, recovery, and world-class training conditions during the tournament.