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The world’s most prestigious football tournament, the FIFA World Cup 2026, is drawing closer to its kick-off.

The competition, scheduled to take place from 11 June to 19 July 2026, has captured the attention of football enthusiasts across the globe, including fans in Sekadau Regency.

The excitement for the 2026 World Cup was also expressed by the Deputy Chair of PSSI Sekadau, Liri Muri.

According to him, this edition of the World Cup will be one of the most historic tournaments in the history of global football.

He explained that a new milestone will be set as, for the first time, the World Cup will be hosted by three countries simultaneously — the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

In addition, the number of participating teams has increased significantly to 48 nations divided into 12 groups, unlike previous editions which featured only 32 teams.

“This is a truly remarkable moment in history. The 2026 World Cup will be held across three countries and feature 48 participating teams. It will undoubtedly be one of the most festive World Cups ever,” said Liri Muri when interviewed on Wednesday, 3 June 2026.

As a devoted football fan, Liri admitted that he continues to support the Portugal national football team as his favourite for the 2026 World Cup.

He said that the team’s strong chemistry is the primary reason behind his support for Portugal.

Moreover, the continued presence of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo, who is still trusted to represent the national team, adds to the team’s appeal.

“I still choose Portugal. One of the reasons is their team harmony, and of course, Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to perform on the pitch and remains part of the national squad,” he said.

Promoting Sportsmanship

Amid the growing enthusiasm for the world’s largest football tournament, Liri also urged all football fans to uphold sportsmanship and respect each other’s choices of favourite teams.

He emphasised that having different preferences when supporting national teams is normal and should not lead to social conflict or clashes between supporters.

“My message to all football lovers is to stay fair and respect each other’s choices. It’s perfectly fine to support different teams, but don’t let that lead to disputes or unrest,” he said.

Liri believes that football is more than just a sport — it has the power to unite communities across regions and nations.

“Football is an art and a unifying force. There should be no quarrels simply because of differing team loyalties. The players play with sportsmanship, so the supporters should too. It’s only right,” he stressed.

He hopes the public will celebrate the 2026 World Cup with joy, unity, and a spirit of fair play throughout the tournament.

Portugal Predicted to Win 3-0 in Opening Match of 2026 World Cup

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, PSSI Sekadau Deputy Chair Liri Muri has placed his bet on Portugal to claim the world title, also predicting a convincing victory in their opening group-stage match.

Portugal is scheduled to face the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their first match of the 2026 World Cup.

Ahead of the match, Liri expressed confidence that the Selecao das Quinas squad will start the tournament on a strong note.

“My prediction is at least a 3-0 win for Portugal. I’m optimistic based on the quality of their team,” said Liri Muri.

He added that Portugal remains one of the teams to watch in the world’s biggest football competition.

In addition to their roster of talented players, the team’s cohesion is a major strength that could carry them deep into the tournament.

“If you ask me about my favourite team, it’s always Portugal. Win or lose, I’ll stick with Portugal,” he noted.

Liri shared that he has long been a supporter of Portugal, largely due to captain Cristiano Ronaldo, who continues to represent the national team despite his age.

“Even though he is no longer young, Cristiano Ronaldo still performs on the pitch and continues to receive national call-ups. That’s one of the main reasons I support Portugal,” he explained.

He is even confident that Portugal will lift the World Cup trophy in 2026.

“Of course, I believe Portugal will be the champions. It wouldn’t make sense to support Portugal but predict another team to win,” he said.

However, Liri acknowledged that the competition at the 2026 World Cup will be extremely fierce.

This edition features 48 teams divided into 12 groups, meaning every nation has the potential to spring a surprise.

As a Portugal supporter, he hopes Ronaldo and his teammates will deliver their best performances from the opening match to the final.

“Predictions are fine, but the real outcome will be decided on the pitch. We’ll see how things play out, but I’ll always stand behind Portugal,” he concluded.