2010 World Cup South Africa: Pepe on Board, Quaresma Out of Portugal Roster

It’s that time of year— one month until the World Cup kicks off and the deadline for each team's initial roster turn in.

Portugal’s 24-player long list will have to be whittled down to 23 by June 1, when final rosters are due.

For now, the provisional squad looks as follows:

Goalkeepers:

Beto (Porto), Daniel Fernandes (Iraklis), Eduardo (Braga).

Defenders:

Fabio Coentrao (Benfica), Paulo Ferreira (Chelsea), Ricardo Carvalho (Chelsea), Ze Castro (Deportivo La Coruna), Bruno Alves (Porto), Rolando (Porto), Ricardo Costa (Lille), Duda (Malaga), Pepe (Real Madrid), Miguel (Valencia).

Midfielders:

Tiago (Atletico Madrid), Deco (Chelsea), Raul Meireles (Porto), Nani (Manchester United), Miguel Veloso (Sporting Lisbon), Pedro Mendes (Sporting Lisbon).

Forwards:

Simao Sabrosa (Atletico Madrid), Hugo Almeida (Werder Bremen), Liedson (Sporting Lisbon), Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid), Danny (Zenit St Petersburg).

Sporting Braga’s Eduardo and Chelsea’s Hilario were top choices for goal, but Beto has had an amazing show for Porto lately and Queiroz has counted him in.

Neither Beto nor Daniel Fernandes played in any qualifying games, however, so their inclusion in the squad comes as something of a surprise.

No surprise is Coach Queiroz’s inclusion of Fabio Coentrao, who will likely wind up (if Veloso does not) at left back, and Chelsea boys Carvalho and Ferreira anchoring the defense.

Pepe’s appearance in the lineup is good news for Portugal— the Real Madrid defender was out of action for nearly half a year with a knee injury but crucial to Portugal’s less than dazzling qualifying campaign.

23 year-old Nani in the midfield could be one to watch this World Cup. His recent form with Manchester United has shown his ability as a finisher, and—especially working with seasoned forward Simao up top—he should generate possibilities going forward.

Quaresma, who didn’t earn his passport stamped in 2006 either, will be sitting this one out.