Latest news and stories about world cup in Portugal for expats and residents.
FIFA has officially denied claims made by the Royal Moroccan Football Federation that the 2030 World Cup final will be held at the Hassan II Stadium in Casablanca. While Moroccan officials announced the venue during a political rally, FIFA reiterated that no decision has been made regarding the final location for the tournament, which is co-hosted by Portugal, Spain, and Morocco.
The Livre party in Portugal and the Sumar party in Spain have called for a review of Morocco's participation in hosting the 2030 World Cup following recent migration tensions in Ceuta. Meanwhile, reports from The Times alleging that FIFA President Gianni Infantino promised the tournament final to Morocco in exchange for re-election support have been denied by FIFA. Spanish Minister of Education, Vocational Training and Sport Milagros Tolón has publicly defended Spain's candidacy to host the final, citing the country's infrastructure and security.
LIVRE (meaning "Free") is a green left-wing party founded in 2014 by historian and former MEP Rui Tavares. The party struggled for years before finally electing Tavares as its first MP in 2022, then grew to 4 seats in 2024 and 6 seats in 2025—making it the only progressive party to gain ground in recent elections. LIVRE focuses on environmental protection, human rights, and progressive social policies while maintaining a pro-European stance.
UEFA and its 55 national associations, including the Portuguese Football Federation (Federação Portuguesa de Futebol or FPF), have unanimously rejected FIFA's proposal to privatize commercial rights for the World Cup. European football leaders warned they would boycott FIFA tournaments if the plan proceeds, arguing that the World Cup should not be treated as an investment product for private entities. The controversy centers on FIFA's intent to centralize commercial operations under a new entity open to private investors.
The FPF (Federação Portuguesa de Futebol) is the governing body for football in Portugal. It oversees all national teams, professional leagues, and the development of the sport across the country.
Boston Celtics center Neemias Queta has confirmed he will represent the Portuguese national basketball team in the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches. Queta, who missed the previous international window, aims to help the team reach the tournament, with crucial games scheduled against Spain and Georgia in late August.
Portugal secured a 2-1 victory against Croatia in the 2026 World Cup, with late goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonçalo Ramos. The team now advances to the round of 16 to face Spain in Dallas on Monday, July 6. Head coach Roberto Martínez noted tactical adjustments, while players emphasized their focus on the upcoming match.
Roberto Martínez is the current head coach of the Portugal national football team, a position he has held since January 2023. A Spanish professional football manager, he previously led the national teams of Belgium and several English club sides including Everton and Wigan Athletic.
Cristiano Ronaldo is a professional footballer and captain of the Portugal national team. He is widely recognized as one of the most successful players in the history of the sport, having won five Ballon d'Or awards and numerous league titles across Europe.
Gonçalo Ramos is a professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Portugal national team and the French club Paris Saint-Germain. He gained international attention for his performance during the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where he scored a hat-trick in his first start for the national squad.
Roberto Martínez avoids assessing the national team's performance in the 2026 World Cup group stage. (SIC footage)
Portugal finished second in Group K of the 2026 World Cup after a 0-0 draw against Colombia. The national team will now face Croatia in the round of 32, following a group stage performance that saw goalkeeper Diogo Costa earn man of the match honors.
Portugal prepares to take on Uzbekistan in a pivotal Group K match for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. The preview breaks down the expected starting lineups, key team news, and tactical strategies for both sides.
Central defender Tomás Araújo remains absent from Portugal's training sessions due to physical issues ahead of the 2026 World Cup match against Uzbekistan. While the rest of the national team is training under Roberto Martínez, Araújo is expected to miss the second round of Group K. The squad remains focused on improving their performance against the defensive tactics expected from the Italian-managed Uzbekistan side.
Roberto Martínez is the current head coach of the Portugal national football team, a position he has held since January 2023. A Spanish professional football manager, he previously led the national teams of Belgium and several English club sides including Everton and Wigan Athletic.
Democratic Republic of Congo supporters are celebrating a hard-fought draw against Portugal in a recent World Cup match. The result has been hailed as a significant moment for the team on the global stage.
The Portuguese national team has officially debuted in the 2026 World Cup, facing the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Houston. High-ranking Portuguese officials, including Assembly of the Republic President José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, attended the match as the team begins its Group K campaign.
Update: Portugal draws 1-1 against DR Congo in World Cup opener
Portugal failed to secure a win in their opening match, drawing 1-1 with the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Coach Roberto Martínez acknowledged the team lost intensity after taking the lead, while player João Cancelo admitted the result felt like a defeat.
José Pedro Aguiar-Branco is the President of the Assembly of the Republic, Portugal’s parliament, elected to the post in 2024. A lawyer from Porto and a senior PSD figure, he previously served as Minister of Justice and as Minister of National Defence.
Roberto Martínez is the current head coach of the Portugal national football team, a position he has held since January 2023. A Spanish professional football manager, he previously led the national teams of Belgium and several English club sides including Everton and Wigan Athletic.
The Congo national team manager speaks highly of the Portuguese squad, ranking them among the world's elite.
The Portuguese national team has arrived in Houston to prepare for their upcoming World Cup debut against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Head coach Roberto Martínez has emphasized the need for maximum concentration, while the team manages physical adjustments following their arrival in the United States.
Roberto Martínez is the current head coach of the Portugal national football team, a position he has held since January 2023. A Spanish professional football manager, he previously led the national teams of Belgium and several English club sides including Everton and Wigan Athletic.
The Portuguese national team secured a 2-1 victory against Nigeria in their final preparation match at the Dr. Magalhães Pessoa Stadium in Leiria. Goals from Pedro Neto and Francisco Conceição helped the squad, led by coach Roberto Martínez, finalize their preparations before heading to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States.
A friendly match between the national teams of Portugal and Nigeria as part of their preparations for the 2026 World Cup.
The Portuguese national football team is preparing for its opening matches in the 2026 World Cup, with forward Francisco Trincão expressing optimism about the team's prospects. Portugal enters the tournament as the favorite in Group K, with the competition officially kicking off on June 11.
Portuguese television operators RTP, SIC, and TVI have reached an agreement with FIFA to broadcast 20 matches of the 2026 World Cup. The package includes all matches featuring the Portuguese national team, the opening game, and the final. The channels will share the broadcast schedule, ensuring free access for viewers across the country.
RTP (Rádio e Televisão de Portugal) is Portugal's public service broadcaster, operating television channels (RTP1, RTP2, RTP3, RTP Memória, RTP Internacional, RTP África), radio stations (Antena 1, Antena 2, Antena 3, RDP Internacional, RDP África), and the RTP Play streaming platform.
Founded in 1955 (television) and 1935 (radio, as Emissora Nacional), RTP is funded through a monthly audiovisual contribution (Contribuição para o Audiovisual, CAV) included in electricity bills, plus limited advertising revenue. It operates under a public service concession that mandates news independence, cultural programming, and coverage for Portuguese-speaking communities worldwide.
RTP plays a central role in Portuguese public life — it hosts the main political debates during elections, produces news programming, and broadcasts major national events. Its editorial independence and funding model are recurring subjects of political debate, with some parties advocating for privatization or restructuring of the public broadcaster.
