Many teams are starting to say goodbye to this year’s FIFA World Cup, while others continue dreaming. Portugal hope to be one of the latter, but first they’ll have to take care of business against Morocco.
The African team has already shown its credentials at Qatar 2022, finishing as Group F leaders against all odds before pulling off a shock against Spain in the Round of 16. Now, it’s Portugal’s turn to make sure Morocco don’t produce another upset.
Fernando Santos has therefore named a star-studded starting eleven, which will have some notable absences regardless. Apart from Cristiano Ronaldo, Joao Cancelo is also starting on the bench.
Why was Joao Cancelo benched for the Portugal game against Morocco
Joao Cancelo doesn’t have any injury, so the reason he’s not starting against Morocco is a tactical decision. Santos has chosen Diogo Dalot and Raphael Guerreiro asstarting wing-backs, so the Man City star will have to wait on the bench.
How far do you think Portugal will go in this year’s World Cup?Using this World Cup Predictor, you can see every potential outcome of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
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Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.
