Portugal enters this summer's World Cup carrying the memory of Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident last July. Rúben Neves says the squad will use the loss of their former Liverpool star as emotional strength. This bond follows a successful run where Jota helped the team secure the UEFA Nations League trophy.

Neves remains a central figure for the squad, having scored the winning penalty against Spain to clinch that Nations League title. He admits that while he prefers winning in regulation time, his experience in high-pressure shootouts is a tool for the team. Portugal now relies on a mix of youth and veterans to chase their first title.

Captain Cristiano Ronaldo leads a side that includes four Paris Saint-Germain players who recently won their second Champions League. This experienced group faces a challenging Group K schedule starting June 17. They open against DR Congo, followed by matches against Uzbekistan and Colombia as they attempt to surpass their third-place finish from 1966.

Portugal aims to reach the final and win the tournament hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Neves believes the squad possesses the quality to handle the pressure of being favorites. Their campaign begins with a match against DR Congo on June 17.