Portugal are heading back to the FIFA World Cup™ for the ninth time in their history and a seventh edition in succession.
Roberto Martinez’s men secured their place at the tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States after finally sealing top spot in Group F with a 9-1 victory over Armenia on 16 November 2025.
With evergreen captain Cristiano Ronaldo sidelined by suspension following his red card in the 2-0 defeat against the Republic of Ireland just days earlier, A Seleção das Quinas crossed the finishing line in style with a goal-fest in Porto.
Martinez’s squad have also had to cope with the trauma of losing a beloved figure in Diogo Jota, who died alongside his brother Andre Silva in a road accident in Spain in early July 2025.
Speaking to FIFA earlier this year, Martinez said: “It hit the entire football family in Portugal extremely hard, but also the wider football world… What matters now is that we get to fight for one of his dreams, which is winning the World Cup. There’s no greater motivation than keeping his spirit alive in the national team.”
Portugal’s most recent World Cup ended at the quarter-final stage at Qatar 2022, when surprise package Morocco became the first African nation to reach the last four of the tournament, with goalkeeper Yassine Bounou in inspired form.
Portugal at the FIFA World Cup
First appearance: 1966
Appearances: Nine (1966, 1986, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
Best result : Third place (1966)
