Portugal’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad carries a name that won’t appear on any team sheet but sits at the heart of everything the group is doing in the tournament. Diogo Jota, who died in a car accident on July 3, 2025, at the age of 28, has been officially registered as an honorary member of the national team’s roster.

Coach Roberto Martínez expanded the squad designation to what’s being called a “27+1” format, making room for Jota alongside the active players traveling to the tournament. His family, including his parents, have been invited as official guests of the Portuguese Football Federation and were present at Portugal’s opening match against DR Congo.

A career cut short, a legacy preserved

Jota earned 49 caps for Portugal and scored 14 goals in the national team shirt. He was part of Portugal squads that won the UEFA Nations League in both 2019 and 2025. Jota died alongside his brother André Silva in the July crash. He was 28 years old.

Wristbands, a prime minister, and collective grief

Every player wears a commemorative wristband featuring the names of all team members, with Jota’s name included among them. The initiative was suggested by Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro.

Jota’s parents were present at the World Cup opener against DR Congo. Rather than a distant tribute acknowledged through press releases, the federation brought the family into the squad’s physical orbit.

What this means beyond the pitch

The 27+1 format does not displace a living player from the roster and does not create ambiguity about squad size for tournament organizers. It adds a line, a name, and a number that everyone understands represents something different from the other 27.

For Jota’s family, the recognition means their son’s name will appear in the official records of a World Cup squad, listed not as a footnote but as a member of the team.