USMNT vs. Portugal Exhibition Match Confirmed for March 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
The United States Soccer Federation and the Portuguese Football Federation are set to confirm an exhibition match between their men's teams at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta in March 2026. The game was finalized after Portugal secured qualification for the upcoming World Cup by defeating Armenia 9-1. The match will mark Cristiano Ronaldo's return to playing in the United States after almost 12 years.
The fixture between the USMNT and Portugal has been in discussions since September, with final agreements pending Portugal and Belgium's qualification for the World Cup and avoiding play-offs. Ronaldo's last appearance in the U.S. was in 2014, and his absence has been notable since allegations of sexual assault surfaced in 2017. Despite discussions about a potential move to MLS' Sporting Kansas City, Ronaldo opted to join Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia.
Ronaldo's diplomatic efforts to engage with U.S. President Donald Trump have been highlighted, with the European Council president presenting Trump with a signed Portugal jersey during a summit in Canada. Ronaldo expressed his desire to meet President Trump to discuss world peace in a recent interview with Piers Morgan. The upcoming match against Portugal will be a significant part of the USMNT's World Cup preparations under coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Facing the fifth-ranked Portugal and eighth-ranked Belgium will provide a challenging test for the USMNT as they finalize their squad for the home World Cup. Previous exhibition matches against South American and Asian teams will be complemented by encounters with major European nations, offering Pochettino valuable insights into his team's readiness for the global tournament.