The UEFA FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers kick off with an exciting clash as Armenia hosts Portugal at the Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium in Yerevan on September 6, 2025. This Group F encounter pits the underdog Armenian side against a star-studded Portugal team, fresh off their UEFA Nations League triumph. Below, we dive into potential lineups, key players, recent form, head-to-head records, and a score prediction for this highly anticipated match.
Match Details
-
Date: September 6, 2025
-
Venue: Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium, Yerevan, Armenia
-
Kick-off Time: 8:00 PM AMT (4:00 PM GMT, 12:00 PM ET)
-
Where to Watch in India: Live streaming on SonyLiv app and website
Team News and Potential Lineups
Armenia
Armenia, ranked 105th in the FIFA World Rankings, faces a formidable challenge under new manager Yegishe Melikyan, who took over after John van ‘t Schip’s brief and winless stint. The team is eager to make a mark in their quest for a first-ever World Cup appearance. Key player Eduard Spertsyan, who recently scored a brace against Montenegro, will be pivotal in attack. However, Armenia will miss Narek Grigoryan due to injury and Norberto Briasco due to personal reasons. Lucas Zelarayan and Grant-Leon Ranos are back in the squad, boosting their attacking options.
Potential Armenia Starting XI (4-2-3-1):
Beglaryan (GK); Hovhannisyan, Mkrtchyan, Harutyunyan, Tiknizyan; Iwu, Dashyan; Bichakhchyan, Spertsyan, Zelarayan; Barseghyan
Portugal
Portugal, ranked sixth globally, enters as overwhelming favorites. Managed by Roberto Martinez, the Selecao are riding high after winning the UEFA Nations League in June 2025, defeating Spain in a thrilling penalty shootout. Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s all-time leading scorer with 138 goals, is expected to lead the line despite the absence of Rafael Leao (calf injury) and Diogo Dalot (muscle issue). The team is also motivated to honor the memory of Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away in July. Ruben Neves will wear Jota’s number 21 jersey in tribute.
Potential Portugal Starting XI (4-3-3):
Costa (GK); Cancelo, Dias, A. Silva, Mendes; Fernandes, R. Neves, Vitinha; Conceicao, Ronaldo, Neto
Score Prediction
Given Portugal’s superior quality, depth, and recent form, they are expected to dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities. Armenia’s home crowd and counter-attacking threat, led by Spertsyan and Barseghyan, may pose some challenges, but their defensive frailties could be exposed by Portugal’s attacking trio. Historical trends suggest Portugal often secures comfortable victories in qualifiers, while Armenia’s recent home games have been low-scoring.
Predicted Score: Armenia 0-3 Portugal
