By Can Erozden
ANKARA (AA) – The Euro 2016 champions Portugal want to break new ground in the World Cup as they set eye on the top-tier title in Russia.
Portugal will take on Spain, Morocco and Iran in Group B in the world's top football contest in Russia and the team's greatest threat against opponents will be Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.
In Real Madrid, Ronaldo, 33, won the Europe's top-tier club football tournament, UEFA Champions League title three times in a row.
Personally Ronaldo is aiming to break Hungarian Ferenc Puskas' goal record as Puskas scored 84 goals for Hungary, which made him the European top scorer for a national team. Ronaldo should score three more goals to equalize the Hungarian legend.
Before qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Portugal met Switzerland, Hungary, Faroe Islands, Latvia and Andorra in Group B in World Cup qualifiers.
Portugal led their group as they bagged 27 points in 10 matches. They scored 32 goals and conceded only four.
Portugal will fight for the World Cup trophy with many stars such as AC Milan forward Andre Silva, Manchester City winger Bernardo Silva, Valencia's Goncalo Guedes, Sporting Lisbon winger Gelson Martins and midfielder William Carvalho and West Ham United midfielder Joao Mario.
In addition to these players, Besiktas regulars Pepe and Ricardo Quaresma will contribute to their country in Russia.
Portugal haven't won the World Cup title yet in history as they did their best in 1966, they came third.
In 2014 in Brazil, Portugal have been eliminated in group stage.
– Portugal's confirmed squad:
Goalkeepers: Anthony Lopes (Olympique Lyon), Beto (Goztepe), Rui Patricio (Sporting Lisbon)
Defenders: Bruno Alves (Glasgow Rangers), Cedric Soares (Southampton), Jose Fonte (Dalian Yifang), Mario Rui (Napoli), Pepe (Besiktas), Raphael Guerreiro (Borussia Dortmund), Ricardo Pereira (Porto), Ruben Dias (Benfica)
Midfielders: Adrien Silva (Leicester City), Bruno Fernandes (Sporting Lisbon), Joao Mario (West Ham United), Joao Moutinho (Monaco), Manuel Fernandes (Lokomotiv Moscow), William Carvalho (Sporting Lisbon)
Forwards: Andre Silva (AC Milan), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Gelson Martins (Sporting Lisbon), Goncalo Guedes (Valencia), Ricardo Quaresma (Besiktas)
Manager: Fernando Santos
