Diogo Costa, the regular starting goalkeeper for Portugal national football team, has been ruled out of the squad preparing for friendlies against Mexico national football team and United States men’s national soccer team due to physical issues, the Portuguese Football Federation confirmed today.
“Diogo Costa reported this Monday to the Cidade do Futebol, but after undergoing medical examinations, he was deemed unfit and will continue his recovery process with his club,” reads a statement published on the federation’s official website.
Hours earlier, in its medical bulletin, FC Porto had already explained that Costa is dealing with an adductor injury caused by dorsolumbar pain suffered during the past week.
Costa has 42 caps for the national team and became Portugal’s first-choice goalkeeper in 2022, succeeding Rui Patrício.
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Before the official confirmation of the 26-year-old’s withdrawal, head coach Roberto Martínez had already called up Ricardo Velho, who plays for Gençlerbirliği, to join the squad, and the 27-year-old took part in training today.
Velho has not yet been capped for Portugal but has previously been called up by Martínez. FC Porto is now left without representation in Portugal’s March training camp, as Rodrigo Mora was also ruled out on Sunday due to injury.
In addition to Mora and Costa, Rafael Leão was also excluded due to physical issues, with Martínez calling up forward Paulinho, who plays for Toluca, as his replacement.
Portugal will face Mexico on March 28 in Mexico City, marking the reopening of the Estadio Azteca, and then the United States on March 31 in Atlanta.
At the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scheduled from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, Portugal is placed in Group K alongside Uzbekistan national football team, Colombia national football team, and a yet-to-be-determined opponent coming from the intercontinental playoff between DR Congo national football team, Jamaica national football team, and New Caledonia national football team.
