Denmark host Portugal in the UEFA Nations League. Get the team news, predicted line-ups, kick-off time, form guide, and match prediction.
Portugal will attempt to maintain their perfect UEFA Nations League start when they visit Denmark at Parken Stadium on Thursday, October 1, 2026.
The defending champions lead League A Group 4 with six points after victories over Wales and Norway. Denmark sit behind Portugal and Norway on three points after losing their opening match before responding with a convincing home victory.
Portugal’s preparations have been overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure from the national-team camp. The Portuguese Football Federation confirmed that the captain had left Copenhagen, meaning Jorge Jesus must plan for the match with the remaining 24 players.
The game begins at 9:45 p.m. East Africa Time, providing Ugandan supporters with another major European international fixture during the evening viewing period.
Denmark vs Portugal Match Details
| Match detail | Information |
| Competition | UEFA Nations League 2026-27 |
| Group | League A, Group 4 |
| Fixture | Denmark vs Portugal |
| Date | Thursday, October 1, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 9:45 p.m. EAT |
| Venue | Parken Stadium |
| City | Copenhagen, Denmark |
The Danish Football Association’s official match page confirms the venue and 8:45 p.m. Danish kick-off.
Group 4 Standings Before the Match
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals | Points |
| 1 | Portugal | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3-1 | 6 |
| 2 | Norway | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4-4 | 3 |
| 3 | Denmark | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4-3 | 3 |
| 4 | Wales | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0-3 | 0 |
Victory in Copenhagen would give Portugal nine points from three matches and strengthen their control of the group. Denmark can draw level with the visitors by winning, although goal difference would determine first place.
Denmark Recover After Norway Defeat
Denmark began their campaign with a 3-2 defeat away to Norway. Erling Haaland scored twice as the hosts resisted a late Danish response in Oslo.
Brian Riemer’s team recovered by beating Wales 2-0 at Parken. Denmark registered 20 attempts and limited Wales to three shots on target, demonstrating greater control than they had managed against Norway.
Home advantage could again be important. Denmark are comfortable playing with intensity at Parken, where their supporters can create an intimidating atmosphere. Riemer’s team can press aggressively before moving the ball quickly through Mikkel Damsgaard and Gustav Isaksen.
Rasmus Hojlund is expected to lead the attack. The Napoli striker has scored 14 goals in 37 senior international appearances and combines physical strength with direct running behind defenders.
Portugal Target Third Consecutive Victory
Portugal started their title defence with a 1-0 home victory over Wales, secured by João Félix. Jorge Jesus’ team then defeated Norway 2-1 in Oslo, with Gonçalo Ramos scoring the winning goal.
Those results have not always been accompanied by dominant performances. Norway caused Portugal problems in transition and forced the visitors to defend under pressure during parts of their second match.
Nevertheless, Portugal’s squad contains considerable technical quality. Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and João Neves can control possession, while Rafael Leão, Pedro Neto, Félix and Ramos provide different attacking options.
Portugal are also the reigning Nations League champions. They defeated Spain on penalties in the 2025 final and are the only country to have won the competition twice.
Cristiano Ronaldo Leaves Portugal Camp
Ronaldo will not face Denmark after leaving Portugal’s camp on Wednesday.
Before the departure, Jesus said the 41-year-old had not refused to train and denied that there was a personal dispute between them. The coach explained that he had discussed Ronaldo’s playing schedule with him and had not planned to start the forward against either Norway or Denmark.
Ronaldo was an unused substitute in the 2-1 win in Oslo. He later announced that he had left the camp after speaking with Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proença and said he would explain his reasons later.
The federation confirmed his departure while stating that preparations would continue with the remaining 24 players. Leaving the camp does not itself confirm Ronaldo’s international retirement, and any claims about his long-term future should be treated as speculation until the player or federation makes a definitive announcement.
Denmark Team News
Denmark will be without Patrick Dorgu after the Manchester United wing-back sustained a hamstring injury against Wales. He has returned to his club for further assessment.
Mohamed Daramy replaced Dorgu during that match and could now enter the starting line-up. Riemer otherwise has the option of retaining most of the team that defeated Wales.
Filip Jørgensen should continue in goal behind Joachim Andersen and Oliver Provstgaard. Morten Hjulmand and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are expected to protect the defence, allowing Damsgaard to operate further forward.
The official Denmark Nations League squad also includes young players such as Victor Froholdt, Thomas Jørgensen and Mads Bidstrup.
Portugal Team News
Bruno Fernandes has returned to training after missing the win over Norway and is expected to rejoin the starting line-up.
Vitinha could also return in midfield, with Jesus likely to select a technically strong combination capable of resisting Denmark’s pressure. Francisco Conceição faces a fitness concern and will require a late assessment.
Ramos should retain the centre-forward position after scoring against Norway. Félix and Neto could support him from wider areas, although Leão provides another option on the left.
Predicted Starting Line-Ups
Denmark: Jørgensen; Kristensen, Andersen, Provstgaard, Mæhle; Hjulmand, Hojbjerg; Isaksen, Damsgaard, Daramy; Hojlund.
Portugal: Diogo Costa; Cancelo, Rúben Dias, Renato Veiga, Nuno Mendes; Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, João Neves; Félix, Ramos, Neto.
Confirmed teams should be released at approximately 8:45 p.m. EAT.
Denmark vs Portugal Head-to-Head Record
Portugal have dominated the historical series, winning 12 of the 18 previous meetings. Denmark have four victories, while two matches have finished level.
| Team | Wins |
| Portugal | 12 |
| Denmark | 4 |
| Draws | 2 |
The countries met in the 2024-25 Nations League quarter-finals. Denmark won the first leg 1-0 at Parken through Hojlund, but Portugal recovered to win the return match 5-2 after extra time and progress 5-3 on aggregate.
Portugal have won four of the past five meetings, although Denmark’s most recent home victory demonstrates that the visitors cannot rely solely on their historical advantage.
Players to Watch
Rasmus Hojlund: The Danish striker’s pace and strength can test Portugal’s centre-backs. He also scored the winning goal when these teams last met at Parken.
Mikkel Damsgaard: His creativity between midfield and attack will be important when Denmark attempt to break Portugal’s defensive shape.
Bruno Fernandes: His return gives Portugal greater creativity, shooting power and set-piece quality.
Gonçalo Ramos: With Ronaldo unavailable, Ramos has an opportunity to establish himself as Portugal’s leading centre-forward under Jesus.
Tactical Analysis
Denmark are likely to press high during the opening stages and use the energy of the Parken crowd. Hjulmand and Hojbjerg can challenge Portugal physically, while Isaksen and Daramy will attempt to attack the spaces behind the Portuguese full-backs.
Portugal should seek to control possession through Vitinha, João Neves and Fernandes. Their greatest danger could come from quick combinations around Denmark’s penalty area rather than repeated crosses.
Ronaldo’s absence may encourage more fluid movement because Ramos can press defenders and rotate positions with Félix. However, Portugal lose Ronaldo’s aerial presence and vast international experience.
What it means for Ugandan Supporters
The 9:45 p.m. EAT start is convenient for Ugandan supporters following European international football. The fixture features several players familiar from the Premier League and other major competitions, including Fernandes, Dias, Neto, Damsgaard, Andersen and Hojbjerg.
Ronaldo’s departure removes the match’s biggest individual attraction, but it creates another storyline: how Portugal’s new attacking structure performs without their long-serving captain. Ugandan viewers should check official local television listings because broadcast rights vary by territory.
Prediction
Denmark’s home record and energetic midfield should make this a difficult night for Portugal. However, the visitors retain greater attacking depth even without Ronaldo, while the expected returns of Fernandes and Vitinha strengthen their midfield.
- Full-time prediction: Denmark 1-2 Portugal
- Result lean: Portugal win
- Both teams to score: Yes
- Total-goals outlook: Over 1.5 goals
Predictions are opinions rather than guaranteed results.
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Conclusion
Denmark’s victory over Wales restored confidence after their opening defeat, while Portugal arrive in Copenhagen with a perfect six points despite questions about their performances and Ronaldo’s unexpected departure.
The Parken atmosphere and Denmark’s pressing should produce a competitive contest. Portugal’s deeper collection of midfielders and forwards may ultimately prove decisive, supporting a narrow 2-1 away victory prediction.
