2026 World Cup - Portugal: a tribute planned for Diogo Jota

17.06.26 FT World Cup

Portugal

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DR Congo

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When they face DR Congo next Wednesday in their opening match of this 2026 World Cup, Portugal will pay tribute to Diogo Jota.

The death of the former Liverpool player, alongside his brother in a car accident nearly a year ago, deeply shocked the football world. As Portugal prepares to kick off their campaign on the global stage, Vitinha revealed in a press conference that a symbolic gesture, initiated by Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, will take place.

“The idea of the armband came when we met the Prime Minister, he suggested it to us. He made sure it was an armband we could wear on the pitch. It has all the specifications so we can take it onto the field. The names of all the players, as well as Diogo Jota’s, will be displayed,” Vitinha told reporters.

He added: “He let us choose whether we wanted to wear it or not, and whether it would be during the day or the match itself. We received it with great affection and decided to wear it.”

Joshua SOSSOU

Editorfr, en, ar

As a sports fan, and particularly a football fan, I've been putting my writing talent to good use for a number of years now to promote African talent and the continent's football in general. On Foot Africa, enjoy reading each of my lines.

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