This is the long version of Roberto Martínez's interview with Maisfutebol (in partnership with TVI and CNN Portugal). The national team manager discusses his three years in the role, expresses his ambition for the World Cup, talks about the importance of Cristiano Ronaldo and the memory of Diogo Jota, and assures that he is not thinking about a contract renewal, only the World Cup. “That is the focus,” he asserts.
Roberto Martínez assures that at this moment he is only focused on preparing for the 2026 World Cup - and that he is aligned in this regard with the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, Pedro Proença - and says that a potential contract renewal is not important.
The Portuguese national team manager, Spaniard Roberto Martínez, will announce the squad for the friendly matches against Mexico and the United States, in preparation for the 2026 World Cup, on 20 March, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) announced today.
The Portuguese national team manager, Spaniard Roberto Martínez, will announce the squad on 20 March for the friendly matches against Mexico and the United States, as preparation for the 2026 World Cup, the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) announced this Monday, 9 March. In a press conference scheduled for 12:30 on 20 March at the Cidade do Futebol in Oeiras, Roberto Martínez will release the list for the final two friendlies before the final training camp for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Portugal faces Mexico on 28 March at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, starting at 19:00 local time (01:00 on the 29th in Lisbon), playing three days later in Atlanta, in a match with kick-off scheduled for 19:07 local time (00:07 the following day in Lisbon). In the 2026 World Cup, Portugal is in Group K, alongside Uzbekistan, Colombia, and an opponent yet to be determined, who will emerge from the intercontinental play-off between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jamaica, and New Caledonia. Cristiano Ronaldo risks a layoff of up to four weeks due to injury, putting his presence in the national team in doubt. Cristiano Ronaldo will recover in Madrid following an injury more serious than expected.