Portugal face their toughest test in the qualifiers so far when they travel to Hungary on Tuesday night.

Portugal will look to continue their strong start to the 2026 World Cup qualification campaign when they travel to Budapest to face Hungary in Group F on Tuesday night. Roberto Martínez’s men arrive in fine form after dismantling Armenia, while the hosts will hope to turn promise into points after a frustrating draw last time out.

Hungary began their qualifying journey with a dramatic 2-2 draw against the Republic of Ireland. Early goals from Barnabás Varga and Roland Sallai put them firmly in control, but defensive lapses allowed Ireland back into the contest, with Adam Idah striking deep into stoppage time to deny the Magyars all three points.

The result highlights Hungary’s ongoing struggle for consistency at the highest level. While they boast a rich World Cup pedigree, twice runners-up in 1938 and 1954 and quarter-finalists in 1962 and 1966, they have not qualified for the finals since 1986. In recent years, their progress has been more visible in the European Championship, where they have reached three successive tournaments. However, failing to advance beyond the group stage in both 2020 and 2024 underlines the gap that still exists when competing with Europe’s elite.

Now facing the group favourites, Marco Rossi’s side will need to balance defensive solidity with attacking sharpness if they are to challenge for an automatic qualification place.

Portugal were clinical in their 5-0 demolition of Armenia in their group opener, a performance that set the tone for Martínez’s campaign. João Félix and Cristiano Ronaldo both registered braces, while João Cancelo also added his name to the scoresheet, highlighting the wealth of attacking firepower at Martínez’s disposal.

Despite their quality, Portugal enter this qualification cycle with something to prove. A quarter-final exit at Euro 2024 followed a similar disappointment at the 2022 World Cup, raising questions about whether their talent can translate into major tournament success. Still, their recent run of four consecutive wins across all competitions, including a Nations League triumph earlier this year, suggests momentum is building.

The Seleção have historically dominated this fixture, winning 10 of their 14 meetings with Hungary and losing none. Their last clash came in June 2021, when Portugal secured a comfortable 3-0 victory at the European Championship group stage.

With Ronaldo still defying time and continuing to produce at the highest level, Portugal’s ambitions extend beyond qualification. While they remain outsiders for World Cup glory, the blend of youth and experience in their squad ensures they are well placed to go deep in next summer’s tournament. The Hard Tackle takes a look at how both sides could line up and what tactics they might employ on the day.

Team News & Tactics

Hungary

Hungary will be without one of their most important attacking players, as Roland Sallai is suspended for this clash after receiving a red card early in the second half against the Republic of Ireland. The Freiburg forward’s absence is a significant blow, as he had already opened his account in the qualifiers and remains a key figure in Marco Rossi’s attacking setup. Other than Sallai’s suspension, Rossi has no fresh injury concerns to contend with, giving him a near full-strength squad for this vital home fixture.

In terms of replacements, Barna Tóth looks set to benefit from Sallai’s absence, with the 23-year-old forward in contention for a place in the starting XI. Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai, who has begun the season in outstanding form for Liverpool, will once again be tasked with orchestrating Hungary’s midfield. His creativity, ball-carrying, and set-piece quality will be pivotal if the Magyars are to challenge Portugal’s experienced back line.

Hungary are expected to adopt a 4-1-4-1 formation. Dénes Dibusz will take his place in goal, with a back four of Loïc Négo at right-back, Willi Orbán and Attila Szalai forming the central defensive partnership, and Milos Kerkez at left-back. Sitting just ahead of the defence will be Callum Styles, anchoring the midfield.

Further forward, Bendegúz Bolla, Ádám Tóth, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Barna Tóth will make up the advanced midfield line, tasked with both supporting and supplying the attack. Up front, Barnabás Varga, who found the net against Ireland, will lead the line as the lone striker.

Probable Lineup (4-1-4-1): Dibusz; Nego, Orban, Szalai, Kerkez; Styles; Bolla, A Toth, Szoboszlai, B Toth; Varga

Portugal

Portugal head coach Roberto Martínez is not expected to make wholesale changes from the side that thrashed Armenia in their opening qualifier. The only likely adjustment could be the return of Bernardo Silva to the starting XI, after the Manchester City midfielder was rested at the weekend. Should Silva come back into the lineup, he would most likely replace Pedro Neto, who started in the front three against Armenia.

There are no fresh injury or suspension issues for Martínez to worry about, allowing him the luxury of fielding a full-strength side. João Félix, who was exceptional in the previous match with two goals, is expected to keep his place on the left flank, while Cristiano Ronaldo continues to defy time by adding to his record-breaking tally. The 40-year-old forward scored twice against Armenia, extending his international record to an astonishing 140 goals, and he remains an undisputed starter in the front line.

Portugal are likely to line up in a 4-3-3 formation. Diogo Costa will continue in goal, shielded by a back four of João Cancelo at right-back, Rúben Dias and Gonçalo Inácio as the central defensive pairing, and Nuno Mendes at left-back.

The midfield trio should consist of João Neves as the deep-lying option, flanked by Vitinha and captain Bruno Fernandes, who will look to dictate the tempo and create opportunities. In attack, Bernardo Silva is expected to slot in on the right wing, João Félix will operate from the left, and Cristiano Ronaldo will spearhead the attack through the middle.

Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Costa; Cancelo, Dias, Inacio, Mendes; J Neves, Vitinha, Fernandes; B Silva, Ronaldo, Felix

Key Stats

• Portugal are unbeaten in their 14 previous meetings with Hungary, winning 10 and drawing 4.

• Portugal have scored 33 goals against Hungary in those 14 games, while Hungary have managed just 10 in reply.

• The last meeting between the two sides came at Euro 2020, where Portugal won 3-0 thanks to late goals from Raphaël Guerreiro and a Cristiano Ronaldo brace.

• Hungary have won just once in 19 competitive fixtures against Portugal and other top-10 ranked nations, showing their difficulty against elite opposition.

• Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 11 goals against Hungary in his career, making them one of his favourite opponents at international level.

Player to Watch

Dominik Szoboszlai

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If Hungary are to have any chance of upsetting Portugal, much will depend on the influence of Dominik Szoboszlai. The Liverpool midfielder has quickly established himself as the heartbeat of both club and country, combining vision, technique, and leadership beyond his years. Capable of dictating play from deep or driving forward into attacking areas, Szoboszlai is equally dangerous with his passing range as he is from set-piece situations.

His ability to transition defence into attack could prove crucial against a Portugal side expected to dominate possession. With Roland Sallai suspended, Szoboszlai will shoulder even greater responsibility in linking Hungary’s midfield with lone striker Barnabás Varga. His eye for goal, particularly from distance, offers Hungary their best hope of troubling the Portuguese defence.

On a night where the Magyars will need moments of individual brilliance, Szoboszlai’s creativity and leadership will be central. If he can impose himself on the game, Hungary may just find a way to push Portugal harder than expected.

Prediction

Hungary 1-3 Portugal

Hungary have the ability to frustrate top sides, especially at home, but their defensive fragility remains a major concern. Portugal, on the other hand, have shown ruthless efficiency in front of goal and hold a formidable record against their hosts. If Martínez’s men maintain their attacking rhythm, they should claim another convincing win.