Cristiano Ronaldo is not in Portugal’s camp, and the manager who has just won three from three says he will explain why after Sunday’s game. Portugal host Norway on 4 October 2026 (kick-off 19:45 BST) as Nations League Group A4 leaders and champions, with an unfinished row about their captain hanging over the evening. Norway arrive third in the table after a defeat in Cardiff, a red card for Torbjørn Heggem and a very quiet night from Erling Haaland.
The Ronaldo row
The story began on Sunday 27 September in Oslo. Ronaldo, 41, watched the 2-1 win over Norway from the bench for the full 90 minutes. The Goal reported that Jorge Jesus asked him to warm up during the game and then did not bring him on, which fuelled the captain’s anger, and Jesus has since admitted that he should have had him warm up about 15 minutes later. Ronaldo went straight to the dressing room afterwards, visibly frustrated, according to the same report, and then did not train with the group, working alone in the gym instead.
On Wednesday 30 September, Jesus confirmed at his press conference that Ronaldo would start on the bench again against Denmark. Ronaldo spoke to Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença, left the Parken Stadium camp, and posted a statement saying that he had decided to leave and would tell the Portuguese people the truth about his reasons “in due course”, and Goal reported that a private jet was arranged to take him to Madrid that night.
🚨💣 BREAKING: Cristiano Ronaldo announces he has LEFT PORTUGAL NATIONAL TEAM CAMP. 🇵🇹
“After the National Team coach’s press conference, and following a conversation with the President of the Portuguese Football Federation, I have decided to leave the National Team training… pic.twitter.com/bi02uxDRnE
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 30, 2026
Jesus has denied any rift. He told reporters there was no issue between them, said that Ronaldo had been planned to play in Oslo before the game changed, and added that no player would change his mind about selection, “not him, not anyone”. He promised to explain everything after the Norway game and said he would “not hide or run away from it”.
The federation has not said whether it will take disciplinary action, although its code provides for a suspension of one to six months and a fine of €500 to €1,000 for a player who leaves a national-team camp without justification, according to beIN Sports. Whether that applies is a decision for the federation, and nobody has said Ronaldo will be involved on Sunday, while Portugal showed on Thursday that they can win without him. That matters.
Form & what’s at stake
Portugal beat Denmark 4-2 at Parken on 1 October and now have nine points from three games, a +4 goal difference, and a six-point lead. Cancelo scored in the 13th minute, Ramos in the 25th, Vitinha headed in a Bruno Fernandes cross in the 67th, and João Félix scored in the 87th, his third goal in three Nations League games. Denmark equalised twice, through Damsgaard and Højlund, which is the only crack in an otherwise perfect start.
Norway have three points and a goal difference of -1. They lost 2-1 at Wales on 1 October. A bad night. Oscar Bobb gave them the lead after 11 minutes, Dan James levelled in the 38th, and Heggem was sent off for denying a clear goalscoring chance as the second half began. Neco Williams scored the winner from a free-kick moments later. Haaland had two shots, one on target, and an expected-goals figure of 0.35, and he missed a late header. Julian Ryerson also went off injured. More bad news.
Norway are level on three points with Denmark and Wales, so the Portugal match is an obstacle, not a decider. For Portugal, a win would make the leaders almost impossible to catch and close the autumn with a perfect record intact.
Team news & injuries
Norway are likely to miss Heggem, who was sent off in Cardiff and faces an automatic one-match ban, so they need a new centre-back against Portugal. Ryerson’s injury is unconfirmed beyond the match report. Martin Ødegaard was a fit starter against Wales and should be available.
Portugal have no confirmed injuries, and Fernandes played on Thursday and supplied the cross for Vitinha. Ronaldo is not in the camp. He left on Wednesday.
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Predicted line-ups
No confirmed XI was available at the time of writing.
Portugal: Jesus has won all three games, and Félix, Ramos, Vitinha and Cancelo have all scored this month. Fernandes supplied the cross for Vitinha on Thursday. Without Ronaldo, the front line is not in doubt, and the only question is whether Jesus rotates anyone after a game that finished 4-2.
Norway: Haaland leads the line, with Ødegaard and Bobb supplying the creativity and Antonio Nusa on the flank. The back line is the problem, with Heggem suspended and Ryerson a doubt.
The key battle
Haaland against Portugal’s centre-backs, with Heggem’s replacement defending the other end. Haaland has three goals in three Nations League games but was held to 0.35 expected goals by Wales, and Portugal have more quality at the back than Wales do. Norway’s own defenders must handle Félix, who has scored in every game this autumn.
Portugal Norway Predictions & tips
Portugal have the form, the home crowd, a manager under scrutiny who has delivered results, and an opponent missing a defender. The Ronaldo story will dominate the headlines but has not hurt the football, and although Haaland will have chances, Portugal are better prepared for him this time and have the depth to absorb the pressure. Félix will score.
Tip: João Félix to score anytime. Predicted score: Portugal 3-1 Norway.
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