The U.S. men’s national team will reportedly play an international friendly against Portugal in March, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s 12-year absence from U.S. soil and offering a critical preparatory test for the USMNT ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to a report from The Athletic via Sports Illustrated, the U.S. men’s national team (USMNT) is set to play a high-stakes international friendly against Portugal in March.
The match, slated for the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta during the international break, is seen as a crucial test for Mauricio Pochettino’s side just three months before the 2026 World Cup campaign begins.
The exhibition fixture will feature Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo (40), ending his 12-year absence from U.S. soil.
Ronaldo last played in the States on Aug. 2, 2014, when his Real Madrid team faced Manchester United in front of a record-breaking crowd of 109,318 at Michigan Stadium.
The game had been “in the works behind the scenes since September” and was cleared to proceed after Portugal, the defending UEFA Nations League champions, “directly qualified” for the 2026 World Cup, avoiding a playoff schedule.
The Portuguese team, coached by Roberto Martínez, has lost only two matches in their last 18, spanning back to June 2024, making them a vital measuring stick for the USMNT.
The roster, which includes Man Utd skipper Bruno Fernandes and the Paris Saint-Germain trio Vitinha, João Neves and Nuno Mendes, ensures the fixture will be a major spectacle.
Christian Pulisic and his teammates must make a statement against this caliber of opponent to gain confidence for the tournament.