Diogo Jota died in a car accident on July 3 last year, and Portugal is desperate to win the World Cup to honor the late Liverpool star, but first faces Croatia on the anniversary
18:28, 02 Jul 2026
Portugal wants to win the World Cup to honor Diogo Jota
Portugal wants to win the World Cup to honor Diogo Jota(Image: Jose Breton/NurPhoto)
Portugal faces Croatia in the Round of 32 on Thursday at Toronto Stadium, and has an added motivation to get over the line for the late Diogo Jota.
Although the game will take place in Canada on July 2, the kickoff will be at midnight on July 3 in Portugal. It marks the first anniversary of Jota's death, when he was killed alongside his brother, Andre Silva, in a car accident.
Jota's death shocked the sports world, with Liverpool paying tribute to the Portugal star last season and the national team still naming him an honorary member of the World Cup roster. Portugal faces a tough test against Croatia, but has an added incentive to win for Jota.
"So many (motivations to win the match), and there's yet this additional factor, this special day, we have all the motivation, for our families, for Diogo Jota, for the whole country, for the whole of Portugal," said Portugal midfielder Vitinha on Wednesday.
Speaking after Portugal's 0-0 draw with Colombia on Saturday, head coach Roberto Martinez made it clear that the roster wants to win the World Cup for Jota. "I think we need to honor Diogo Jota," he said.
"I think it's a moment to cherish that everything we started in this team started with him. We won the Nations League with him.
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez is desperate for the national team to honor Jota
Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez is desperate for the national team to honor Jota(Image: 2024 Soccrates Images B.V.)
"He's probably the sign and the light of the biggest stimulation that we have. We want to win the World Cup for him."
Portugal has never won the World Cup and recorded its best finish in 1966, settling for the bronze medal. Unfortunately for Jota, he never made a World Cup roster as he was injured during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
While the Portugal roster is attempting to stay focused without Jota, it was also a difficult prospect for former Liverpool player Andy Robertson. The Scotland captain bonded with Jota over their excitement about playing in the World Cup, and they became close friends at Liverpool.
Andy Robertson and Jota grew close at Liverpool
Andy Robertson and Jota grew close at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images))
Jota's death was hard for Robertson to accept, and he has since agreed to start a new chapter with Tottenham Hotspur next season. Scotland was also eliminated in the group stage of the World Cup, but did beat Haiti in the opening game.
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"I’ve hid it well, but today I’ve been in bits," Robertson told the BBC. "I couldn’t get my mate Diogo Jota out of my head today.
"We spoke so much about the World Cup. He missed out last time because of injury, I missed out because Scotland didn’t qualify and we always discussed what it would be like going to a World Cup.
"So I was in a bit of trouble in my room earlier. I know he’ll be somewhere smiling over me tonight."