Porto kick off pre-season with Hibernian clash on Saturday

FC Porto will kick off their 2026/27 pre-season this Saturday at 6 p.m. in Olival against Hibernian — 5th in last season's Scottish Premiership. The friendly will test Francesco Farioli's side in a semi-competitive setting, though Porto won't have late-returning internationals fully available.

Who plays and who sits in the first run-out

Farioli will prioritize the players who started training on July 1 in Olival. Internationals who missed the Mundial 2026 or returned later — such as those who joined only on Monday — will see limited minutes. Vasco Sousa and Samu are in conditioning rehab, while André Miranda is undergoing treatment and unavailable.

How the training-friendly will unfold

The morning session will focus on load management, aligning with the afternoon's plan. The squad has trained intensely this week, with Sunday off before Monday's pre-season stage in England. Porto arrive with 0 goals scored and 0 conceded (0 goal difference) while sitting 8th in the Liga Portugal Betclic table.

Why this test matters

Hibernian, 5th in Scotland last season, already played two pre-season games before facing Porto. The clash will gauge Porto's fitness in a competitive environment, even if unofficial. The result doesn't count, but player performance does — especially for those who returned late from international duty.