in Portugal: FIFA World Cup The campaign enters its knockout phase with emotions running high, as Roberto Martinez’s side prepare to face Croatia in the Round of 32 on Thursday in Toronto.Beyond finding a place in the last 16, Portugal will bring more sense of purpose. By the time kick-off comes in Canada, it will be July 3 in Portugal, marking a year since Diogo Jota: and his younger brother André Silva tragically died in a car accident in western Spain.The anniversary brought back memories of a defeat that shocked the football world. Jota was 28 when he died, while Silva was 25. Although both were recognized for their football careers, those closest to them often spoke about the impact they made beyond the game.Silva plays as an attacking midfielder for Portuguese second-division club Penafiel and will graduate with a degree in business management in 2025. Jota, meanwhile, established himself as one of Portugal’s keys and celebrated winning the Premier League with Liverpool. Just 11 days before the accident, he married his childhood sweetheart, Rute Cardoso. He is also survived by three children.Jota was part of the Portugal squad that lifted the UEFA Nations League title in June 2025, and his next ambition is to help the national team challenge for the World Cup. Although he did not have the opportunity to fulfill that dream, Martinez said that his memory continues to inspire the entire squad.“I think we need to honor Diogo Jota,” said Martinez after Portugal’s goalless draw against Colombia last Saturday.“I think it is a moment of affection that everything we started in this team started with him. We won the Nations League with him. He is probably the sign and the light of the biggest stimulation we have. We want to win the World Cup for him.Portugal’s route to the knockout stage was not straightforward. After opening their campaign with a win over Uzbekistan, Roberto Martinez’s side were held goalless by DR Congo before another 0-0 draw against Colombia. Those results are enough to see Cristiano RonaldoThe team scraped in the Round of 32, where they will face each other Luka ModricCroatia at Toronto Stadium.The win will keep Portugal’s World Cup hopes alive, but it will also carry a deeper meaning. On the first anniversary of Jota’s death, advancing to the tournament will represent a step towards the realization of the dream that the former Liverpool forward never had the chance to fulfill, with the team determined to honor his memory on the biggest stage of football.