Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal begin their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign with a trip to Armenia on Saturday.
Portugal and Armenia are in Group F alongside the Republic of Ireland and Hungary, who clash in Dublin later on Saturday.
According to the Republic of Ireland vs Hungary betting tips, the visitors are expected to win the second Group F match.
Tragedy-Struck Portugal Gear up for World Cup Qualification
Cristiano Ronaldo will lead Portugal onto the pitch for the first time since the tragic passing of compatriots Diogo Jota and Andre Silva.
The team paid tribute to Jota and Silva at a ceremony in Portugal earlier this week, where a statue was unveiled to commemorate the former Liverpool man. Jota’s close friend Ruben Neves got a tattoo on his left leg, capturing a moment of himself and Jota hugging. He will carry his friend’s legacy with the national team by taking his No. 21 jersey.
Portugal unveil a bronze tribute to Diogo Jota as the team watch on at their home base 🤍 pic.twitter.com/wPfjhvGPux
— LiveScore (@livescore) September 3, 2025
Portugal are going through a difficult period off the pitch, but on it, they are very much a well-oiled machine.
They won their second UEFA Nations League title in June, beating Spain on penalties in the final. By winning the Nations League, they have already secured a play-off spot for the World Cup. However, they will aim to secure automatic qualification this time around, having qualified through play-offs in three of the last four World Cups.
Portugal are 12/1 with football betting sites to go all the way in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Armenia are very much the underdogs heading into Saturday’s fixture. They are 105th in the world rankings, 99 positions behind Portugal and have won just two of their last 10 matches. Armenia sacked their former manager, John van ‘t Schip, in August after he failed to win in any of his four matches. Yegishe Melikyan has since replaced him and will do his best to take Armenia to their first-ever major tournament as an independent nation.
Armenia vs Portugal Match Details
⚽Teams: Armenia vs Portugal
🗓️Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025
🏆 Competition: FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier Group F – Round 1
🟥Ref: Anthony Taylor
⌚KO: 5:00 PM BST
📺TV: Amazon Prime Video
🏟️Stadium: Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium
Armenia vs Portugal Stats and H2H – World Cup 2026 Qualifier
- Armenia and Portugal have met 4 times – Portugal 3 wins; 1 draw
- Last meeting: Euro Qualification (June 13, 2015) – Armenia 2-3 Portugal
- Armenia’s form in the last 10 matches – 2 wins, 2 draws, 6 defeats
- Portugal’s form in the last 10 matches – 7 wins, 2 draws, 1 defeat
- Armenia’s top goalscorer – Henrikh Mkhitaryan (32 goals)
- Portugal’s top goalscorer – Cristiano Ronaldo (138 goals)
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in Portugal’s previous meeting with Armenia
- Cristiano Ronaldo also scored a hat-trick in the first qualifier for the 2022 FIFA World Cup
- Armenia’s last match – Montenegro 2-2 Armenia (friendly)
- Portugal’s last match – Portugal 2-2 Spain (5-3 on penalties; Nations League final)
Armenia vs Portugal Head-to-Head
| Category | Total | Armenia (W) | Portugal (W) | Draws |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Home Stadium | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Away Stadium | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| UEFA EURO | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
Armenia vs Portugal Betting Odds – Main Markets
UEFA Nations League winners Portugal are overwhelming favourites to start their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification journey with a win. Oddsmakers are backing Portugal at 1/7 to win while hosts Armenia are priced at 25/1. They are also expected to be the only team to get on the scoresheet.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals in Portugal’s last two meetings with Armenia and is 1/2 with betting sites to score again on Saturday.
Match Odds
- Armenia – 25/1
- Draw – 8/1
- Portugal – 1/7
Anytime Goalscorer
- Cristiano Ronaldo – 1/2
- Gonaclo Ramos – 1/1
- Pote – 6/5
Both Teams To Score
- Yes – 17/10
- No – 6/10
Armenia vs Portugal Prediction and Best Bet
Portugal have looked formidable under former Belgium manager Roberto Martinez. He has overseen 30 games for Selecao das Quinas, taking them to 21 wins, five draws, and four defeats. After winning his first trophy as Portugal manager earlier this year, Martinez will be encouraged to take them deep into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The journey starts on Saturday, with a trip to Armenia.
We expect Portugal to play with confidence and dominate proceedings against Havakakan.
Our prediction: Armenia 1-4 Portugal
— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) September 3, 2025
Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo turned 40 in February, but he is showing no signs of slowing down. The former Real Madrid superstar is enjoying his game, and we believe he will find plenty of joy against Armenia on Saturday. We are backing Ronaldo to score two or more goals in the first 2026 World Cup qualifier.
BEST BET: Cristiano Ronaldo to Score 2 or More Goals @5/2
