TEETOTAL Cristiano Ronaldo is heading to Mexico’s party capital for the World Cup.

That is despite Portugal having NO matches in the country.

Fairmont Mayakoba luxury hotel rooms built over a lagoon.Portugal are set to stay at Fairmount MayakobaCredit: Mayakoba A private pool at Fairmont Mayakoba overlooking the beach with palm trees and thatched umbrellas.The luxury resort will be their World Cup baseCredit: Mayakoba Aerial view of the Fairmont Mayakoba luxury hotel with multiple pools and lush greenery.It is a five-star location perfect for the teamCredit: Mayakoba Aerial view of a soccer field with striped grass next to a luxury hotel and golf course.Next door is the Mayakoba Training CentreCredit: FIFA World Cup 26 Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo points at teammates Vitinha and Trincão when celebrating his side's fifth goal during a UEFA Nations League soccer match.Portugal will be hoping it provides the base for their World Cup winCredit: AP Aerial view of a Cancun resort during sunset.Cancun is known for its party lifestyleCredit: Getty

Roberto Martinez’s men are heavily tipped to win .

And Fifa are set to confirm their base for the tournament will be the luxury Fairmont Mayakoba resort and the neighbouring Mayakoba Training Centre in .

At first, the choice to head to Mexico’s wildest city may seem an odd one for a team with hopes of going all the way and winning their first .

Cancun, after all, is renowned for its party lifestyle, lavish nightclubs and is a favourite destination for Spring Break trips – as opposed to sheer hard work, focused dedication and elite sport.

Its population stands at 1million but that figure could soar by 200 per cent around the summer with an extra 2m visitors expected over the course of the five weeks of the World Cup.

Portugal’s World Cup campaign begins with two matches in Houston and they complete Group K in Miami.

Should they win their group as expected, their route to the final would see matches played in Kansas City, Vancouver, Kansas City again and Atlanta before finishing up on the outskirts of New York.

Yep, no matches in Mexico.

But on closer inspection, Cancun looks to be a perfect option and actually makes a lot of sense.

Despite being across the Gulf of Mexico, it is roughly a similar distance to both cities they have guaranteed matches in.

A flight north-east to Miami takes one hour and 50 minutes and it is a two-hour-ten-minute trip north-west to Houston.

And despite Cancun’s reputation, it will not be excessively busy for the World Cup with the three stadiums in Mexico used in Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.

Plus, the Fairmont Mayakoba resort and Mayakoba Training Centre – both approximately an hour’s drive south of the city centre in the Riviera Maya coastline area – are absolutely ideal.

They are set within 240 hectares of jungle and surrounded by natural canals, lagoons and mangroves.

The trees provide an idyllic location with a natural feel and total privacy ‘bunker’, just what , Martinez and Co will want.

A luxury hotel room at Fairmont Mayakoba with a king-sized bed, television, and a balcony overlooking a lush landscape.There are more than 400 bedroomsCredit: Mayakoba A modern living room with a gray sectional sofa, chairs, a large stone coffee table, and a dining area, featuring a large glass door overlooking a pool and lush greenery.Portugal will have all their needs taken care ofCredit: Mayakoba Living room of the Award-Winning Luxury Hotel Riviera Maya - Fairmount Mayakoba with views of the ocean, beach, and palm trees.They can enjoy stunning sea viewsCredit: Mayakoba Luxury hotel with a patio and pool overlooking a white sand beach with palm trees and cabanas.The weather should be in the 30s throughout their stayCredit: Mayakoba Rooftop pool deck at Fairmont Mayakoba.Plenty of the premium suites cost around £1,460 per nightCredit: Mayakoba Bathroom at Fairmont Mayakoba hotel with a bathtub by a large window overlooking lush greenery.Fairmount Mayakoba is in the Riviera Maya regionCredit: Mayakoba Fairmont Mayakoba balcony overlooking a turquoise river surrounded by lush green trees, with a table, chairs, and daybed.The place is connected by natural canalsCredit: Mayakoba The Fairmont Mayakoba hotel in Riviera Maya with a poolside deck, lounge chairs, palm trees, and straw-roofed palapas on a beach by the ocean.There are no fewer than five public swimming pools to choose fromCredit: Mayakoba A living room with a white couch and chairs, wood-beam ceiling, and large sliding doors opening to a lush green outdoor area.The decor is classy and provides a luxury feelCredit: Mayakoba Fairmont Mayakoba luxury hotel's outdoor restaurant with wooden tables and chairs on a sandy beach next to turquoise water and palm trees.The exclusive beach club is a great additionCredit: Mayakoba An aerial view of the Fairmont Mayakoba golf course with a river, lush trees, and golfers.There is the El Camaleon golf course on siteCredit: Mayakoba People playing golf at the Fairmount Mayakoba, Riviera Maya, with a boat passing by on a canal.It has hosted PGA, LPGA and LIV Golf tournamentsCredit: Mayakoba Aerial view of the Fairmont Mayakoba luxury hotel and golf course in Riviera Maya, Mexico.The white sand beach provides a glorious place to relaxCredit: Mayakoba Aerial view of the Fairmount Mayakoba, an award-winning luxury hotel in Riviera Maya, showing a golf course, lush green forest, buildings, and the ocean in the background.The resort is set within 240 hectares of jungleCredit: Mayakoba

The , albeit just one football pitch plus a goalkeeper training area and gym.

But it is the Fairmont Mayakoba which is the real showstopper as one of the most prestigious and exclusive resorts in the whole country.

The five-star resort has no fewer than 401 rooms – premium villas start from around $2,000 (£1,460) – plus 12 function spaces, giving plenty of choice for those all-important team meetings.

There are eight restaurants, three bars, another gym and five swimming pools, including an infinity pool.

Add in its very own spa and the El Camaleon golf course which has hosted PGA Tour, LPGA and LIV Golf events, and it makes for a very appealing place to be stationed for potentially six weeks – although could move to the USA after the group stages.

Oh, and there is also a private beach club with direct access to the Caribbean Sea from the white sand.

And temperatures in the 30s make it not a bad way to recover the day after a game.

So with no expenses spared on restoration, preparation and professionalism, it is no wonder Portugal are putting down roots for their World Cup matches in the USA in a country they won’t be playing in.

An aerial view of a large modern building with a restaurant patio and a thatched-roof building, surrounded by green golf course fairways and lush trees.The training centre has world-class facilitiesCredit: FIFA World Cup 26 Luxury hotel gym with stationary bikes and treadmills facing floor-to-ceiling windows.The gym is fully decked out with all the latest equipmentCredit: Mayakoba Gym with various exercise equipment and large windows overlooking lush greenery.The Portugal players will be spending plenty of time in hereCredit: Mayakoba Fairmont Mayakoba luxury hotel at sunset, with a pool, multiple decks, and wooden buildings.Portugal are not set to play any matches in MexicoCredit: Mayakoba A hotel patio with a table and chairs, a small pool, and lush vegetation.Ronaldo may have his own private poolCredit: Mayakoba Lobby of the Fairmount Mayakoba luxury hotel with a bar, seating areas, and large potted plants.There are eight restaurants at the hotelCredit: Mayakoba Balcony at Fairmont Mayakoba overlooking a canal with lush trees.Ronaldo and Co will be a long way from the Cancun party city centreCredit: Mayakoba A hotel room at Fairmont Mayakoba with two beds and a balcony overlooking a lush green landscape.Players will have no trouble sleeping in the bedsCredit: Mayakoba The entrance to the Fairmont Spa at Fairmont Mayakoba.Fairmount Mayakoba has its very own spaCredit: Mayakoba Fairmont Mayakoba spa room with two massage beds and jungle views.The team will no doubt make the most of the treatments and passages on offerCredit: Mayakoba Award-Winning Luxury Hotel Riviera Maya - Fairmount MayakobaRoberto Martinez may hope his squad avoid the three barsCredit: Mayakoba

Eze Chidiebere Paul

Eze Chidiebere Paul

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