Jorge Jesus Makes Portugal Debut Against Wales With Cristiano Ronaldo Center Stage

A new era begins for the Portuguese national team. On Thursday, September 24, Jorge Jesus takes charge of Portugal for the first time in an official match, and of all opponents, it's Wales, in the opening matchday of the UEFA Nations League 2026/2027. The stage will be the Estádio José Alvalade, and while the result always matters, this time the spotlight will be on how the Portuguese coach sets up his team in his official unveiling.

And of course, talking about Portugal today also means talking about Cristiano Ronaldo, who will once again be front and center wearing his country's jersey. No matter how many caps he racks up, every call-up still stirs excitement, and Jesus' debut is no exception.

How the two teams arrive

Portugal went into the 2026 World Cup as a favorite, but the dream ended earlier than expected: the team fell in the round of 16 against Spain and was knocked out when many saw it fighting for bigger things. Now, with Jesus at the helm, a new chapter begins, fittingly against the Welsh.

Wales, for its part, arrives bruised after losing its last international match against Romania. The British side returned to the competition's top tier and needs to bounce back quickly: a win at Alvalade would be a statement result and would also help climb the FIFA rankings, something the Welsh squad has clearly in mind as a goal going forward.

So the match has a bit of everything: a coach making his debut, a superstar like Cristiano who always adds intrigue, and an opponent that arrives needing to respond after a stumble.

When they play: date, time and live TV

The clash between Portugal and Wales takes place on Thursday, September 24, at 3:45 p.m. for Argentina, Uruguay and Chile, and at 1:45 p.m. for Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. The live broadcast will be available through Disney+ Premium Plan, exclusively for South America.