{"id":10863,"date":"2026-05-19T20:04:45","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T20:04:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=10863"},"modified":"2026-05-19T20:04:45","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T20:04:45","slug":"west-hams-mateus-fernandes-suffers-world-cup-heartbreak-after-bizarre-roberto-martinez-decision","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=10863","title":{"rendered":"West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes suffers World Cup heartbreak after bizarre Roberto Martinez decision"},"content":{"rendered":"


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West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes has been left out of Portugal\u2019s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Fernandes has arguably been one of the best midfielders in the Premier League this season despite the Hammers\u2019 woes.<\/p>\n

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He was called up to the Portuguese national team in March and made his senior debut in a 2-0 victory over the United States.<\/p>\n

Martinez has now excluded Fernandes from Portugal\u2019s World Cup squad in favour of some controversial selections.<\/p>\n

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Which West Ham star do YOU think will go the furthest at the World Cup? \ud83c\udf0e<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Mateus Fernandes suffers Portugal World Cup disappointment<\/h2>\n

Fernandes has become the second shocking omission from the World Cup after Joao Pedro was left out of Brazil\u2019s squad.<\/p>\n

What makes Martinez\u2019s decision to leave out Fernandes even more fascinating are three players he has chosen instead.<\/p>\n

Firstly, the former Everton and Wigan manager has named four goalkeepers in his squad when only three are required.<\/p>\n

Many football fans will be questioning how a fourth-choice goalkeeper could ever be more impactful than a central midfielder.<\/p>\n

Secondly, Martinez has picked four right-backs, including ex-Wolves defender Nelson Semedo, who plays for Fenerbahce.<\/p>\n

Even though some of them are versatile enough to play at left-back or in midfield, it remains an odd decision by Martinez.<\/p>\n

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Who do YOU think will join this list in 2026? \ud83c\udfc6 \ud83c\udf0e<\/h3>\n

Bowen? Summerville? Fernandes, maybe?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Finally, the reason for leaving Fernandes out cannot have anything to do with West Ham\u2019s underwhelming 2025\/26 campaign.<\/p>\n

Martinez has preferred Samu Costa in central midfield, even though Mallorca are 19th in La Liga with one game remaining.<\/p>\n

Fernandes must be wondering what more he needed to do this season to have earned a plane ticket to the USA.<\/p>\n

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