Portugal midfielder Vitinha has announced that the national team will wear special commemorative wristbands during the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a tribute to their late teammate, Diogo Jota.
The wristbands, presented as a gift to the squad by Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, feature the names of every member of the World Cup delegation alongside that of Jota. The former Portugal forward tragically passed away alongside his brother in a car crash in northwestern Spain last year.
Vitinha Explains the Story Behind the Tribute
Speaking to reporters ahead of Portugal’s opening match, Vitinha shared the emotional background of the gesture:
“The story of the wristband is that when we went to meet with the Prime Minister, he offered them to us as a gift,” the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder explained.
“He let us choose if we wanted to use it or not, and how—whether during the day or during the match. We received this gesture with a lot of affection, and we have all chosen to wear it.”
Diogo Jota’s Legacy and Portugal’s Group K Schedule
Jota was a beloved figure within the national team setup, earning 49 caps and scoring 14 goals for his country. His sudden absence has left a deep void and profound sadness among his international teammates.
Portugal will officially kick off their World Cup campaign in the USA, Canada, and Mexico this coming Wednesday. The Seleção will face the DR Congo in their opening Group K fixture, in a group that also features Colombia and Uzbekistan.
