Roberto Martinez to leave Portugal after World Cup 2026 exit

Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez will leave his post following the end of the team’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Portugal were knocked out of the tournament after losing to Spain in the Round of 16. Despite the disappointing result, Martinez said after the match that he considered the game against Spain to be Portugal’s best performance at this World Cup.

“This was Portugal’s best game at this World Cup. We were better than Spain; they were lucky to score late,” Martinez said after the match.

When asked by a reporter about the frustration of fans and players with his work, Martinez replied that the federation’s leadership remained supportive of him.

“The board are happy with my work, and I promise to help the team win the European Championship,” the coach said.

However, according to sources, Martinez has already decided not to renew his contract with Portugal. His deal expires after the World Cup, and the coach intends to leave the team regardless of the tournament’s outcome.

Martinez’s biggest achievement as Portugal head coach was the 9-1 victory over Armenia. At the same time, Portugal failed to meet expectations at the World Cup and ended their campaign in the first knockout round.

After leaving Portugal, Martinez is open to a return to the English Premier League, but he has also not ruled out taking another international job.