Roberto Martinez has confirmed that he will step down as head coach of Portugal following the national team’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup.
Portugal’s tournament ended in the round of 16 after a narrow 1 to 0 defeat against Spain in Arlington. The decisive goal came late in the match, ending Portugal’s hopes of reaching the quarterfinals.
Martinez explained that his contract with the Portuguese Football Federation had expired and confirmed that the match against Spain was his final appearance on the Portugal bench.
“This was my last match as Portugal’s coach. I leave with memories that will last a lifetime,” Martinez said after the game. He described his departure as the end of a cycle and thanked Portuguese Football Federation president Pedro Proenca for his support.
Despite the disappointment, Martinez praised his players and said Portugal had performed well against one of the strongest teams in the tournament. He noted that Portugal struck the crossbar and believed the team deserved the opportunity to play extra time.
The 52 year old Spanish coach took charge of Portugal in January 2023, replacing Fernando Santos. His departure now opens the search for a new coach who will lead the national team into its next competitive cycle.
Portuguese media have reported that Jorge Jesus could become the next national team coach after recently leaving Saudi club Al Nassr. However, the Portuguese Football Federation has not officially confirmed a replacement.
