Portugal team to honour Diogo Jota’s memory at World Cup match against Croatia

By Rohan Gupta — 3 July 2026 — 3 min read

Portugal’s emotional World Cup campaign

The Portugal national team is preparing for an emotional FIFA World Cup knockout stage match against Croatia in Toronto. This game holds special significance as it coincides with the first anniversary of the passing of former national team forward, Diogo Jota, and his younger brother, André Silva.

Roberto Martinez, Portugal‘s head coach, has stated that the team aims to honour Diogo Jota‘s memory. He emphasised that Jota was integral to the team’s beginnings and that they want to win the World Cup for him. This sentiment is shared by the squad, who view Jota as an inspiration.

Jota, who was 28 at the time of his death, and Silva, 25, tragically lost their lives in a car accident in western Spain on July 3, 2025. Jota had celebrated winning the Premier League with Liverpool and had married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso, just 11 days before the accident. He was also part of the Portugal squad that won the UEFA Nations League in June 2025.

Tributes and inspiration within the squad

The impact of Jota‘s death has been deeply felt by his teammates. Ruben Neves, a close friend and former teammate, revealed that he still communicates with Jota through a WhatsApp group that includes Rute Cardoso. Neves, who wears Jota‘s number 21 national shirt at the World Cup, has also had a tattoo on his left calf depicting him embracing Jota.

Martinez referred to Jota as an honorary ‘plus-one’ player when announcing his squad in May, highlighting the enduring presence of Jota‘s spirit within the team. The team’s determination to win the World Cup for Jota is a driving force, with Martinez noting that Jota‘s dream was to play in the tournament.

Tributes to Jota have been visible throughout the World Cup. A black and white picture of Jota celebrating a goal for Portugal has been displayed on big screens before matches. Fans have also been seen wearing shirts with Jota‘s name, and players, including captain Cristiano Ronaldo, are wearing special wristbands in tribute. These green and red wristbands, a gift from Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, carry the names of all squad members along with Diogo Jota‘s name.

Portugal’s path and future matches

Portugal‘s journey to the knockout stage has seen them secure one victory against Uzbekistan, followed by goalless draws against DR Congo and Colombia. These results were sufficient for Cristiano Ronaldo‘s team to advance to the Round of 32, where they will face Luka Modric‘s Croatia at Toronto Stadium.

The match against Croatia is scheduled for Thursday evening, which will be July 3 in Portugal, marking the anniversary of Jota‘s passing. A victory would not only keep Portugal‘s World Cup hopes alive but also represent a significant step towards fulfilling the dream that Jota never had the opportunity to realise.

If Portugal defeats Croatia, they will advance to a last-16 showdown against either Spain or Austria.

The funeral of Jota and his brother was held in Gondomar on July 5, 2025.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter