The Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) has officially confirmed the departure of national team head coach Roberto Martinez following Portugal's elimination from the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the round of 16. The announcement comes just days after a 1-0 defeat to Spain, a result that ended Portugal's campaign and marked the immediate conclusion of Martinez's tenure.
The 52-year-old Spaniard had already declared after the match that he would not continue, saying his contract expired that day and that failing to win the World Cup made his departure inevitable. The FPF's statement formalised the split on Wednesday, confirming the end of the contractual relationship with Martinez and his coaching staff.
World Cup exit seals Martinez's fate
Portugal entered the tournament with high expectations, buoyed by a strong squad including veteran superstar Cristiano Ronaldo. They finished second in their group after draws with Colombia and DR Congo and a thumping 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan. A last-32 win against Croatia set up the showdown with Iberian rivals Spain, but a solitary goal proved enough to send Portugal home.
Martinez's side struggled to impose themselves in the knockout stage, and the defeat reignited criticism of his tactical approach and, notably, his unwavering commitment to starting the 41-year-old Ronaldo. BBC pundit Chris Sutton had previously accused Martinez of "pandering" to the forward, a charge that gained traction as Portugal's World Cup journey ended early.
A mixed tenure: Nations League glory and Euros heartbreak
Martinez took over in January 2023 and led Portugal to the UEFA Nations League title in 2025, a high point of his reign. However, that success was tempered by a quarter-final exit at Euro 2024, where France knocked them out on penalties. Portugal failed to score in open play across their final two matches of that tournament, and the familiar pattern of dominating possession without cutting edge resurfaced in the World Cup.
"I came to Portugal with the objective of winning the World Cup and because I haven't won it wouldn't make sense to continue," Martinez said after the Spain loss. "My contract ends today."
The coach’s departure is also likely to reignite the debate over Ronaldo’s international future. With the next major tournament being Euro 2028, the selection of Portugal's all-time record goalscorer will be a key question for the incoming manager.
What next for Portugal?
The FPF has confirmed that it has already begun the search for a successor, stating its aim to "continue to promote the ambition and winning culture" within the national team setup. Given the quality of the squad—featuring talents like Bruno Fernandes, Rafael Leão, and Rúben Dias—the new manager will inherit a team that is expected to compete for major honours. Early speculation will undoubtedly link several high-profile names to the role, but the federation is likely to take its time after the disappointing World Cup.
Key Takeaways
- Roberto Martinez leaves Portugal after a last-16 World Cup defeat to Spain.
- His dismissal was widely expected after he said his contract would not be renewed.
- Martinez won the 2025 UEFA Nations League but failed to lead Portugal beyond the quarter-finals at Euro 2024 or the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup.
- Criticism over his continued selection of Cristiano Ronaldo defined the latter stages of his tenure.
- The FPF has started the process of appointing a new head coach for the next international cycle.
Quick Facts
Manager: Roberto Martinez
Appointed: January 2023
Matches in charge (approx.): 25-30
Honours: UEFA Nations League 2025
Last match: Portugal 0-1 Spain, World Cup last 16, 2026
