Portugal Seeks to Honour Diogo Jota Against Croatia in World Cup 2026

‘We want to win the World Cup for him,’ Portugal coach Roberto Martinez says, describing Jota as ‘our light’ and the team's symbolic ‘plus one’ player.

Portugal's knockout tie against Croatia in the World Cup 2026 Round of 32 is a poignant moment for the squad, coming exactly one year after the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota. The 25-year-old former Liverpool player died in a car accident in Spain on July 3, 2025, along with his brother André Silva.

Diogo Jota's passing was a devastating blow to the Portuguese team, who were already grieving the loss of their brother. The team has since worn special wristbands bearing Jota's name, and tributes to the late striker have appeared before each of their matches.

Jota's parents were also in attendance at Portugal's opening World Cup fixture, where an emotional pre-match tribute was held in honour of both brothers. The match against Croatia will be an emotional one for the team, but they remain focused on their goal of winning the World Cup for Jota.

‘We want to make the tournament a lasting tribute to Diogo,' Martinez says. ‘He was an inspiration to us all, and we want to celebrate his legacy in the best way possible.'

The team's emotional connection to Jota is evident in the way they speak about him. Midfielder Ruben Neves, one of Jota's closest friends, says the former Liverpool star continues to inspire the squad every day. ‘He still sends messages to us through a family WhatsApp group,' Neves reveals.

Portugal's victory over Croatia would move them into the Round of 16 and keep alive the possibility of delivering the tribute the squad believes Jota would have wanted most – a memorable World Cup run.

As the team prepares for the match, they know they have a tough task ahead of them. ‘We're not going to make it easy for ourselves, but we're confident in our ability to perform on the big stage,' Martinez says.

Jota's legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire the team throughout their World Cup campaign. The match against Croatia may be an emotional one, but it's also an opportunity for the team to celebrate Jota's life and show their appreciation for the impact he had on their lives.

The World Cup has always been a celebration of football, but for the Portuguese team, it's also a reminder of the impact that one person can have on a community. Diogo Jota may be gone, but his memory will live on through the team's performances on the pitch.

The match against Croatia will be a tough one for the team, but they're determined to make Jota proud. ‘We'll give it our all and see what happens,' Martinez says.