Portugal have won each of the last four meetings with Armenia, scoring ten goals, claiming victory from all three previous encounters at home, prevailing 1-0 in both 2007 and 2014.
Portugal vs Armenia preview
Portugal have passed up not one but two opportunities to rubber stamp their World Cup place, so will it be third time lucky in Porto? Roberto Martínez's team began this campaign with three successive victories, including demolishing Armenia 5-0 in Yerevan in September. Thus, they would have secured their World Cup place by beating Hungary last month, leading 2-1 in Lisbon, only to concede a stoppage time equaliser to stun Estádio José Alvalade into silence.
Portugal then had a second opportunity to secure top spot on Thursday but no, against all odds, were beaten 2-0 in Dublin, Both Republic of Ireland goals came in the first half before, following VAR review, Cristiano Ronaldo was shown the first red card of his international career, curtailing any hopes of a comeback. Despite these slip-ups, Martínez's team do remain two points clear at the top of Group F, but only a victory at Estádio do Dragão will guarantee that they qualify for a seventh successive World Cup. So, will Portugal claim the required result in Porto on Sunday?
Well, this does appear by far the most likely outcome, considering Armenia are rock-bottom of this group. The Havakakan's sole victory in this campaign came when Ireland visited Yerevan; Eduard Spertsyan and Grant-Leon Ranos the scorers in a 2-1 victory. Other than that, Yegishe Melikyan's team have lost all four matches, not even scoring a single goal, most recently beaten 1-0 when Hungary visited Vazgen Sargsyan Republican Stadium on Thursday.
Armenia have never qualified for a major tournament, winning only three of their last 18 competitive fixtures. On top of this, away from home, they have won only three of their last 27 qualifiers, only enjoying victories in Wales, Liechtenstein and Greece since September 2013. Thus, Portugal should be far too strong, thereby ensuring the Nations League holders will be in North America next summer.
Portugal vs Armenia head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 7.
- Portugal Wins: 5. Draws: 2. Armenia Wins: Zero.
Portugal team news
Cristiano Ronaldo commences a suspension that could carry into the World Cup itself, meaning this'll be just the seventh competitive fixtures since 2018 in which he won't feature.
As a result, Gonçalo Ramos is likely to lead the line, while Bruno Fernandes will return having served a one-match suspension of his own in Dublin. Elsewhere in attack, Bernardo Silva and João Félix could keep their places, chosen over Rafael Leão, Francisco Conceição and Francisco Trincão.
Portugal predicted lineup vs Armenia: (4-3-3): Costa; Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Veiga, Dalot; João Neves, Vitinha, B Silva, Fernandes, João Félix; Ramos.
Portugal player to watch vs Armenia
Without Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes is the top-scorer in the squad, bagging his 25th for Portugal the last time they were in action at Estádio do Dragão against Poland a year ago, so will he fire them to the World Cup here?
Armenia team news
Yegishe Melikyan is without key centre-backs Hovhannes Hambardzumyan and Varazdat Haroyan, who both retired from international football earlier this year, while Ugochukwu Iwu and Vahan Bichakhchyan are both injured.
In attack, Lucas Zelarayán has also called a day on his brief international career while star striker Tigran Barseghyan is suspended, having been sent off against Ireland last month.
Henri Avagyan surprisingly got the nod in goal over Ognjen Čančarević on Thursday, while Eduard Spertsyan will continue to captain the side.
Armenia predicted lineup vs Portugal: (4-3-3): Avagyan; Hovhannisyan, Mkrtchyan, S Muradyan, Piloyan, Tiknizyan; K Muradyan, Spertsyan, Sevikyan, Shaghoyan; Ranos.
Armenia player to watch vs Portugal
Grant-Leon Ranos of Borussia Mönchengladbach is the Havakakan's main man for goals, having bagged his fifth against Ireland in September, while he scored twice when Armenia most recently won a qualifier on the road, bagging a double in Cardiff in June 2023.
Portugal vs Armenia prediction
As already outlined, while Portugal's World Cup place is on the line, no drama is on the menu at Estádio do Dragão on Sunday, likely to demolish a pretty poor Armenia team: Portugal 3-0 Armenia.
Portugal vs Armenia FAQs - World Cup qualifier
How to watch Portugal vs Armenia in World Cup qualification on TV channel?
Portugal vs Armenia in World Cup qualification will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video PPV - £2.49.
- USA: Fox Sports 2 & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Portugal vs Armenia in World Cup qualification on live streaming?
Portugal vs Armenia in World Cup qualification will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: Amazon Prime Video PPV - £2.49.
- USA: Foxsports.com & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Portugal vs Armenia in World Cup qualification?
Portugal vs Armenia takes place on Sunday 16 November 2025, with kick off at 14:00 (GMT), 9:00 (ET) & 6:00 (PT).